Professional Bio

In our lab we focus on research issues relating to clinical neuropsychology. We have two primary lines of research that we have pursued here, with an additional line being developed.  

Multiple Sclerosis: One pertains to neuropsychological aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS), with special emphasis on contributors to depression, cognitive functioning, fatigue, and general quality of life in this common neurological disorder.  

o   Secondary Factors Impacting Cognitive Test Performance: We have found that secondary factors (e.g., , slow speech, poor visual acuity, depression, anxiety, fatigue, among others) are associated with neuropsychological test performance in MS.  

o   Coping as an Important Moderator of Outcomes:  Several of our studies have shown that coping is a powerful moderator of outcomes in MS. Specifically, we have found that, compared to Persons with MS (PwMS) who favor avoidant coping in response to stress, those PwMS who rely more on active coping show less depression in the face of comparable pain and cognitive impairment. Also, those who use active coping are less likely to report affective difficulties compared with those who rely more on avoidant coping even when they have comparable levels of white matter tract integrity.  Finally, we have found that coping moderates the relationship between cognitive fatigue and cognitive variability in PwMS. We view these findings as significant because they show that a modifiable factor, coping, could potentially be changed via treatment to result in better outcomes for PwMS.   

o   Treatment of Depression in MS. We recently published a paper on our multi-site RCT with colleagues in Germany and the U.S., funded by the National MS Society (NMSS). We found that an online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program designed for treating depression in PwMS resulted in a significant reduction in depression compared with a Wait List Control Group.  

o   Current MS Work: At present, we are exploring whether personality factors in MS predict important outcomes in MS. Additionally, we are examining our RCT data in more detail to go beyond our mean data findings to explore who benefits and does not benefit from the CBT treatment, and what factors might predict these differences. We are also examining differences in how disability in MS has been characterized over the years to identify specific measures that best capture such disability.  

Sports-Related Concussion:  A second line of research in our lab explores the consequences of sports-related concussion.  

o   Predicting Risk for Concussion.  In recent work we have found that both sleep disturbance and co-morbid depression and anxiety at baseline predict increased risk for subsequent concussion.  

o   Predictors of Outcomes:  We have found that depression alone, as well as co-morbid depression and anxiety predict worse cognitive functioning post-concussion.  Additionally, we have shown that, compared with individuals who do not have the E4 allele of the ApOE gene, those who do have the E4 allele are more likely to show increased problems with cognition, headache, and general symptom reports following sports concussion. 

o   Refining Evaluation of Cognitive Recovery:  Although the baseline model for assessing cognitive change following concussion has been considered the gold standard, there are a number of problems with this model that make it less than ideal methodologically. Changes in motivation for testing from baseline to post-concussion testing, less than optimal test-retest reliability of measures used, and practice effects all interfere with the accuracy of assessments using this model.  

o   As a result, we have tried to explore a model using base rates of impairment that does not rely on having any baseline testing, but just good estimates of base rates of impairment for the cognitive battery used. Specifically, we have developed an evidence-based algorithm using base rates of impairment from approximately 1000 Penn State athletes tested at baseline, that allows us to determine whether athletes are cognitively recovered following concussion even when we have not tested them at baseline. We have tested this model using outcome variables that were not explicitly used in developing the model in the first place, this showed the model had a high level of validity. We have also refined the model in recent years to take into consideration differences in levels of premorbid cognitive ability.  

o   Current Sports Concussion Work: We are currently using machine learning and publicly available big data sets to predict factors impacting return to play speed in collegiate athletes. We are also exploring the extent to which depression post-concussion can interfere with accurate self-reports of memory problems. We have additionally been exploring ways to contextualize racial/ethnic group differences in neuropsychological test performance so that fairer and more accurate assessments post-concussion can be developed. We are also exploring in a Proof-of-Concept Study whether similar phenomena to what we have found in varsity college athletes can be observed in college students with a history of concussion.   

Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): In recent years we have begun to extend some of our work in sports concussion to the topic of IPV. Concussions and repetitive head injuries are common in IPV, and we have been exploring some of the cognitive and emotional consequences of such injuries.   

Work in our lab provides students with the opportunity to work with data from three very different clinical populations to explore research questions that have both theoretical and applied implications. 

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Sports Concussion & IPV Papers:  

Thomas, G.A., & Arnett, P.A.  (in press).  Get Your Brain in the Game: Using Machine Learning to Predict Recovery Timelines Following Sports-Related Concussion.  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology.   

Thomas, G.A., Riegler, K.E., Bradson, M.L., & Arnett, P.A.  (in press).  Sleep Complaints Mediate the Relationship Between Depression and Cognitive Performance in College Athletes.  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology.   

Sakamoto, M.S., Thomas, G.A., Bradson, M.L., & Arnett, P.A.  (2024).  Examining the role of Depression on the Relationship Between Performance-Based and Self-Reported Cognitive Functioning after Sport-Related Concussion.  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 39, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acae043  

Thomas, G.A., Bradson, M.L., Riegler, K.E., Sakamoto, M.S., & Arnett, P.A.  (2024).  Co-Occurring Anxiety and Depression Symptoms at Baseline Increase Risk for Sports-Related Concussion in Collegiate Athletes.  The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 12(6), 1-9.  DOI: 10.1177/23259671241255932.  

Guty, E.T., Thomas, G.A., Riegler, K.E., Bradson, M.L., & Arnett, P.A.  (2023).  Improving Clinical Interpretation of Performance on a Neuropsychological Concussion Battery by Utilizing Premorbid IQ.  Translational Issues in Psychological Science.  9, 41-50.   

Thomas, G.A., Guty, E.T., Riegler, K.E., Bradson, M.L., & Arnett, P.A.  (2023).  Comorbidity or Concussion: Can We Tell the Difference?  Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 9, 79-91.  

Riegler, K.E., Guty, E.T., Thomas, G.A., Bradson, M.L., & Arnett, P.A.  (2023).  Prospective Implications of Insufficient Sleep for Athletes.  Journal of Athletic Training. 58, 414 - 422.  doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0078.22.  

Arnett, P.A., Merritt, V.C., Guty, E.T., Riegler, K.E., Greenberg, L., & Thomas, G.A., (2023).  Validity of Post-Concussion Only Algorithms in Collegiate Athletes Following Sports-Related Concussion.  Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 9, 25-40.   

Riegler, K.E., Guty, E.T., Thomas, G.A., Bradson, M.L., & Arnett, P.A.  (2023).  How do you feel? Understanding “postconcussion-like symptom” changes over the course of a baseline neuropsychological evaluation.  Translational Issues in Psychological Science.  9, 65-78.  

Thomas, G.A., Guty, E.T., Riegler, K.E., & Arnett, P.A.  (2022).  Comorbid Affective Symptomatology and Neurocognitive Performance in College Athletes.  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 28, 177–187. doi:10.1017/S1355617721000412.  

Riegler, K.E., Guty, E.T., Thomas, G.A., Bradson, M.L., & Arnett, P.A. (2022).  Functional Outcomes, Injury Variables, and Athlete Characteristics Associated with Post-Concussion Sleep Disturbance.  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 38, 182-195. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acac074. 

Guty, E., Riegler, K., Meyer, J., Walter, A.E., Slobounov, S.M., & Arnett, P. (2021). Symptom Factors and Neuropsychological Performance in Collegiate Athletes with Chronic Concussion Symptoms. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 36, 746–756. 

Thomas, G.A., Guty, E.T., Riegler, K.E., & Arnett, P.A.  (2021).  Relationship Between Self-Reported Concomitant Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms and the Post-Concussion Symptoms Scale (PCSS).   Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 28, 1064–1074.  doi:10.1017/S135561772100134X.  

Meyer, J.E., Jammula, V., & Arnett, P.A.  (2021).  Head Trauma in a Community-Based Sample of Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: Prevalence, Mechanisms of Injury and Symptom Presentation.  Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37, 1-20.  https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211016362. 

Merritt, V.C., Greenberg, L.S., Meyer, J.E., & Arnett, P.A.  (2020).  Loss of Consciousness is Associated with Elevated Cognitive Intra-Individual Variability Following Sports-Related Concussion. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 27, 197-203.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617720000727.  

Riegler, K., Guty, E., Thomas, G., & Arnett, P. (2020). Sleep Deprived or Concussed? The Acute Impact of Self-Reported Insufficient Sleep in College Athletes. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 27, 35–46. doi:10.1017/S135561772000065X.  

Merritt, V.C., Greenberg, L.S., Guty, E., Bradson, M.L., Rabinowitz, A.R., & Arnett, P.A. (2019).  Beyond Measures of Central Tendency: Novel Methods to Examine Sex Differences in Neuropsychological Performance Following Sports-Related Concussion in Collegiate Athletes.  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 25, 1094–1100.  

Riegler, K. E., Guty, E. T., & Arnett, P. A. (2019). Neuropsychological test performance in depressed and nondepressed collegiate athletes following concussion. Neuropsychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000582.  

Riegler, K.E., Guty, E.T., Arnett, P.A. (2018). Validity of the ImPACT Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) Affective Symptom Cluster as a Screener for Depression in Collegiate Athletes. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology.  

Guty, E., Arnett, P.A. (2018). Post-Concussion Symptom Factors and Neuropsychological Outcomes in Collegiate Athletes. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 24: 684–692.  

Merritt, V.C., Meyer, J.E., Cadden, M.H., Roman, C.A.F., Ukueberuwa, D.M., Shapiro, M.D., & Arnett, P.A.  (2017).  Normative Data for a Comprehensive Neuropsychological Test Battery used in the Assessment of Sports-Related Concussion.  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 32, 168–183. 

Arnett, P.A., Meyer, J.E., Merritt, V.C., Gatzke-Kopp, L.M., Bowen, K.E.S.  (2017).  Brain Injury and Vulnerability to Psychopathology.  Invited chapter in:  Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 3rd Edition.  Pp. 316-345 (ch. 10).  Theodore Beauchaine & Steven Hinshaw (Eds.).  John Wiley & Sons Press, Hoboken, NJ.   

Arnett, P.A., Meyer, J.E., Merritt, V.C., & Guty, E.  (2016).  Neuropsychological Testing in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury:  What to do When Baseline Testing is Not Available.  Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review, 24: 116–122.   

Merritt, V.C., & Arnett, P.A. (2016). Apolipoprotein E (APOE) E4 Allele is Associated with Increased Symptom Reporting Following Sports Concussion. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 22, 89-94.  

Rabinowitz, A., Merritt, V., & Arnett, P.  (2016).  A Pilot Investigation of the Motivation Behaviors Checklist (MBC): An Observational Rating Scale of Effort Towards Testing for Baseline Sports-concussion Assessment.  Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 38, 599–610.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2015.1123224.   

Merritt, V.C., Ukueberuwa, D.M., & Arnett, P.A.  (2016).  Relationship Between the Apolipoprotein E Gene and Headache Following Sports-Related Concussion.  Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 38, 941–949.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2016.1177491. 

Multiple Sclerosis Papers:  

Arnett, P.A., Riegler, K.E., Thomas, G, Bradson, M.L., Sakamoto, M., & O’Shea, D.U.  (2025).  Coping is a moderator of relationships between cognitive fatigue and cognitive variability in multiple sclerosis.  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 31, 1–7.  doi:10.1017/S1355617724000651.   

Bradson, M.L., Riegler, K.E., Thomas, G.A., Sakamoto, M.S., & Arnett, P.A.  (2024).  Physical Activity Moderates the Association Between Pain and Depressive Symptoms Among Persons with Multiple Sclerosis.  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology,39, 443–453, https://doi-org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1093/arclin/acad097 

Gold S.M., Friede T., Meyer, B., Moss-Morris, R., Hudson J., Asseyer S., Bellmann-Strobl J, Leisdon, A., Ißels, L., Ritter, K., Schymainski, D., Pomeroy, H., Lynch, S.G., Cozart, J.S., Thelen, J., Román, C.A.F., Cadden., M., Guty, E., Lau, S., Pöttgen, J., Ramien, C., Seddiq-Zai, S., Kloidt, A.M., Wieditz, J., Penner, I.K., Paul, F., Sicotte, N.L., Bruce, J.M., Arnett, P.A., & Heesen, C. (2023). Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program to reduce depressive symptoms in multiple sclerosis: An international multicenter randomized controlled phase III trial. The Lancet Digital Health, 5, e669-e678.  

Bradson, M.L., Cadden, M.H., Guty, E.T., Riegler, K.E., Thomas, G.A., Randolph, J.J., & Arnett, P.A.  (2023).  Cognitive Reserve Moderates the Effects of Fatigue and Depression in Multiple Sclerosis.  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 38, 1597–1609.  

Arnett, P.A., & Smith, M.M.  (2022).  Cognitive Functioning and Everyday Tasks in Multiple Sclerosis.  Chapter in The Neuropsychology of Everyday Functioning, 2nd Edition.  T. Marcotte, M. Schmitter-Edgecombe, & I. Grant, Eds.  Ch. 18, pp. 456-489. Guilford Press:  New York, NY.  

Bradson, M.L., Cadden, M.H., Guty, E.T., Riegler, K.E., Thomas, G.A., Graham-Engeland, J.E., & Arnett, P.A.  (2022).  Coping Style Moderates the Effect of Pain on Depression Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis.  Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 37, 1515–1526, https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acac025.  

Thomas, G.A., Riegler, K.E., Bradson, M.L., O’Shea, D.U., & Arnett, P.A.  (2022).  Relationship Between Subjective Report and Objective Assessment of Neurocognitive Functioning in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis.  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 28, 1-8.  doi:10.1017/S1355617722000212.   

Riegler, K.E., Cadden, M.E., Guty, E.T., Bruce, J.M., & Arnett, P.A.  (2021).  Perceived Fatigue Impact and Cognitive Variability in Multiple Sclerosis.  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.  1-11.   

Arnett, P.A., Cadden, Margaret, Roman, C.A.F., Guty, E.T., Riegler, K.E., & Thomas, G.A.  (2021).  Sensory-Motor and Affective-Fatigue Factors are Associated with Symbol Digit Performance in Multiple Sclerosis.  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 28, 362 - 370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617721000540 

Ukueberuwa, D., & Arnett, P.  (2019).  Coping style as a protective factor for emotional consequences of structural neuropathology in multiple sclerosis.  Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 34. 

Cadden, M. H., Guty, E. T., & Arnett, P. A. (2018). Cognitive Reserve Attenuates the Effect of Disability on Depression in Multiple Sclerosis. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 34, 495-502. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acy067. 

Cadden, M.H., Arnett, P.A., Tyry, T.M., Cook, J.E. (2018). Judgement Hurts: The Psychological Consequences of Experiencing Stigma in MS. Journal of Social Science & Medicine, 208, 158-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.01.015. 

Arnett, P.A., Meyer, J.E., Merritt, V.C., & Strober, L.B.  (2018).  Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.  Invited chapter in: Textbook of Clinical Neuropsychology, 2nd Edition, J. Ricker & J. Morgan (Eds.).  pp. 603-617.  Taylor & Francis, New York, NY. 

Cadden, M.H., Meyer, J.E., & Arnett, P.A.  (2017).  Beyond Binary: Exploring the Merits of Three Depression Groups in Multiple Sclerosis.  Neuropsychology, 31, 328 –336. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/neu0000346.   

Strober, L.B., & Arnett, P.A. (2016). Unemployment among women in multiple sclerosis: The role of coping and perceived stress and support in the workplace. Psychology, Health & Medicine.  

Arnett, P.A.  (2016).  Commentary on Lubrini et al.’s Study, "The Contribution of Depressive Symptoms to Slowness of Information Processing in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis."  Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 22(12), 1512-1513. ISBN/ISSN #/Case #/DOI #: 1352-4585. 

Roman, C.A.F., & Arnett, P.A. (2016). Structural Brain Indices and Executive Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis: A Review Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology.  

 Ukueberuwa, D.M., & Arnett, P.A. (2016). Examination of the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory and Initial Validation of a Positive Scale. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.  

Arnett, P.A., & Cadden, M. (2016). MS and Other Demyelinating Disorders. Invited chapter in: Encyclopedia of Mental Health, 2nd Edition. Pp. 169-174. Howard S. Friedman (Ed).  

Cadden, M., & Arnett, P.A. (2015). Factors Associated with Employment Status in Individuals with MS: Cognition, Fatigue, & Motor Functioning. International Journal of MS Care.  

Strober, L.B., & Arnett, P.A. (2015). Depression in multiple sclerosis: The utility of common self-report instruments and development of a disease-specific measure. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 37, 722-732.  

Merritt, V.C., Meyer, J.E., & Arnett, P.A. (2015). A Novel Approach to Classifying Post-Concussion Symptoms: The Application of a New Framework to the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 37, 764-775.  

Arnett, P.A., Ukueberuwa, D., & Cadden, M. (2015). Psychological and behavioral therapies in MS, Invited chapter in: Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases (ch. 12, pp. 167-178). Bruno Brochet (Ed.). Springer.  

Merritt, V.C., Rabinowitz, A.R., & Arnett, P.A. (2015) Personality Factors and Symptom Reporting at Baseline in Collegiate Athletes. Developmental Neuropsychology, 40, 45-50.  

Meyer, J.E., & Arnett, P.A. (2015). Changes in Symptoms in Concussed and Non-Concussed Athletes following Neuropsychological Assessment. Developmental Neuropsychology. 40, 24-28.  

 Merritt, V.C., Rabinowitz, A.R., & Arnett, P.A. (2015). Injury-Related Predictors of Symptom Following Sports-Related Concussion. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 37, 265-275.  

 Vargas, G.A., Rabinowitz, A.R., Meyer, J.E., & Arnett, P.A. (2015). Baseline Predictors of Post-Concussion Depressive Symptoms in Collegiate Athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 50, 250-255.  

Meyer, J.E., & Arnett, P.A. (2015). Validation of the Affective Word List as a Measure of Verbal Learning and Memory. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology. 37, 316-324.  

 Rabinowitz, A.R., Merritt, V.C., & Arnett, P.A. (2015). The Return-to-Play Incentive and the Effect of Motivation on Neuropsychological Test-Performance: Implications for Baseline Concussion Testing. Developmental Neuropsychology, 40, 29-33.  

Fernandez-Jimenez, E., & Arnett, P.A. (2014). Impact of neurological impairment, depression, cognitive function, and coping on quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis: A relative importance analysis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal.  

Merritt, V.C., & Arnett, P.A. (2014). Pre-Morbid Predictors of Post-Concussion Symptoms in Collegiate Athletes. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 36, 1098-1111.  

Strober, L.B. & Arnett, P.A. (2014). Sleep changes in multiple sclerosis from the individual's perspective. Journal of Sleep Disorders: Treatment & Care, 2:4.  

Vargas, G. & Arnett, P.A. (2014). Aging with multiple sclerosis: cognitive, emotional and neuropathological considerations. Neurodegenerative Disease Management, 4, 187-194.