University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · NeuroscienceCognitive Recovery Lab
Mellanie V Springer · Ann Arbor, Michigan
Research Focus
Dr. Mellanie V Springer’s lab focuses on understanding the cognitive challenges faced by stroke survivors, particularly the risk of Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID). The team investigates how everyday activities like reading and solving puzzles can help protect brain health after a stroke. They also explore the impact of sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, on cognitive decline in stroke patients. By identifying modifiable factors, the lab aims to develop practical interventions to improve cognitive outcomes for stroke survivors.
strokecognitive impairmentdementiacognitively stimulating activitiesobstructive sleep apneasleep disordershealth interventionsrisk factorspublic healthlongitudinal studies
Research Aims
5AIM 01Determine the association between cognitively stimulating activities and cognitive decline in stroke patients.
AIM 02Evaluate how obstructive sleep apnea affects post-stroke cognitive outcomes.
AIM 03Investigate the impact of disrupted sleep on stroke recovery and cognitive performance.
AIM 04Identify new intervention targets for reducing VCID risk among stroke survivors.
AIM 05Enhance understanding of modifiable factors that could improve cognitive health in aging populations.
Skills the Lab Values
longitudinal cohort studiespolysomnographycognitive assessmentdata analysisstatistical modelingliterature reviewstudy designintervention strategiessleep evaluationbehavior monitoring
Output against the department
Publications77bottom 22% of dept.525th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.9kbottom 20% of dept.537th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.