LABORATORY OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Head: Elżbieta Szeląg
Degrees:
2005 Professor of Biological Sciences (neuropsychology), nomination by the President of the Republic of Poland, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS;
1996 DSc Habil, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS;
1985 PhD in Biology (psychophysiology), Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS;
1984 Certified Speech Therapist, University of Warsaw;
1975 MSc in Biology, University of Warsaw.
Professional employments
1999- present Head of the Laboratory of Neuropsychology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS;
2006-2017 Chair of Neurorehabilitation, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw.
Research trainings
- Several research visits in: Institute of Medical Psychology and Human Science Center, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich; Institute of Medical Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg; Department of Psychology, University of Beijing; International Institute for Advanced Scientific Studies; University of Napoli; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Georg-August University of Göttingen;
- 2016-2017 Practical courses in transcranial magnetic (TMS) and transcranial current stimulation (TCS), Munich and Göttingen;
- 2002 Scholarship Vivian Smith Advanced Studies Institute Houston Health Center and International Neuropsychological Society in Xyllocastro (invited lecturer);
- 1991-1993 Humboldt Research Fellowship, Institute of Medical Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Germany.
Honors and fellowships
2013-2014 External Expert, Science|Business, Horizon 2020, Brussels, Belgium;
2012 Medal Komisji Edukacji Narodowej, gained at the Nencki Institute;
2010-2014 Co-chair, COST TD 0904 TIMELY (http://www.timely-cost.eu/);
2009 Golden Medal of Merit, gained at the Nencki Institute;
2006-2017 Chair of the Senate Ethic Commission, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw;
1999-present Member of Human Science Center, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Germany;
1991-1993 Humboldt Research Fellowship, Institute of Medical Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Germany.
Staff: Anna Bombińska, Mateusz Choiński (PhD student), Anna Dacewicz (PhD student), Katarzyna Jabłońska (PhD student), Magdalena Piotrowska (PhD student), Aneta Szymaszek, Małgorzata Węsierska
Research profile:
We study the neurophysiology and neuropsychology of cognition in human and animal models in norm and pathology. The studies are combined with behavioral electrophysio- logical, fMRI, molecular, pharmacological, neuroanatomical and lesion techniques.
Human studies are focused on temporal aspects of information processing, time & timing, language, memory with a special focus on real spatial memory, learning, attention and executive functions and are aimed at the development of innovative neurorehabilitation methods. Our research involves normal subjects (children and adults), patients suffering from various brain diseases (stroke, focal brain damage, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease), cochlear implant users, as well as children with various speech and/or language disorders, e.g. language learning impairment, aphasia, deafness, stuttering, infantile autism. Animal studies are focused on neural substrates of learning, short- and long-term memory and other cognitive processes, like cognitive coordination and flexibility. Pathological states of the animal brains are induced by changes in excitatory/inhibitory systems silver e.g. nanoparticles application.
More information about Laboratory on the web page:
http://www.pracownia-neuropsychologii.nencki.gov.pl/ , http://elzbietaszelag.pl/
Current research activities:
- neuropsychological and neuroanatomical basis of human and animal cognition
- application of cognitive and physical training in enhancement of mental health in older adults
- neuropsychology of normal chronological aging, longevity and neurodegeneration
- development and validation of innovative neurorehabilitation program Dr Neuronowski®, http://neuronowski.com/
- temporal aspects of information processing in norm and pathology
- language representation in the brain, hemispheric asymmetry
- cognitive abilities in patients with brain damage, aphasia, hearing deficits, as well as neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative diseases
- links between changing brain activity and cognitive functions across the human life span
- effect of cognitive distractors on performance of real spatial memory task in dark conditions in human
- animal studies on memory and cognitive processes under silver nanoparticles application in rats.
Selected publications:
Szelag E. (2018). Effects of Video Game Training on Measures of Selective Attention and Working Memory in Older Adults: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9, 442.
Szymaszek A., Dacewicz A., Urban P. & Szelag E. (2018). Training in temporal information processing ameliorates phonetic identification, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 12,2013.
Węsierska, M., Dziendzikowska, K., Gromadzka-Ostrowska, J., Dudek, J., Polkowska-Motrenko, H., Audinot, J. N., Gutleb, A.C., Lankoff, A.& Kruszewski, M. (2018). Silver ions are responsible for memory impairment induced by oral administration of silver nanoparticles. Toxicology Letters , 290, 133-144.
Oroń A., Wolak T., Zeffiro T., Szeląg E. (2016) Cross-modal comparisons of stimulus specificity and commonality in phonological processing. Brain Lang, 155, 12-23.
Duda W., Wesierska M., Ostaszewski P., Vales K., Nekovarova T., & Stuchlik A. (2016). MK-801 and memantine act differently on short-term memory tested with different time-intervals in the Morris water maze test. Behavioural Brain Research , 311, 15-23.
