A5052032014- Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- Health disparities and outcomes
- Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
- Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Physical Activity and Health
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Sleep and related disorders
- Cardiovascular Disease and Adiposity
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders
- Radiomics and Machine Learning in Medical Imaging
- Frailty in Older Adults
- Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Urban Transport and Accessibility
- Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Sleep and Wakefulness Research
University of Pittsburgh
2013-2024
GTx (United States)
2022
Pittsburg State University
2021
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2020
Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition
2012-2015
National Institutes of Health
2014
Carnegie Mellon University
2013
San Francisco VA Medical Center
2009
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, and neuroprotective or disease-modifying interventions remain elusive. High-throughput markers aimed at stratifying patients on basis of shared etiology are required to ensure success therapies in clinical trials. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a prominent role pathogenesis PD. Previously, we found brain region–specific accumulation mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage PD neuronal culture animal models, as well...
Physical activity enhances cognitive performance, yet individual variability in its effectiveness limits widespread therapeutic application. Genetic differences might be one source of this variation. For example, carriers the methionine-specifying (Met) allele brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism have reduced secretion BDNF and poorer memory, physical increases levels. To determine whether moderated an association with functioning among 1,032 midlife volunteers...
Obesity and decreased physical health are linked to deficits in several cognitive domains. The broad range of problems obesity suggests a global mechanism that may interfere with multiple neural systems. We examined how variation body mass index (BMI) is associated the microstructural integrity fiber connections human brain.White matter structure was measured using diffusion tensor imaging 28 participants (mean age = 30 years) BMI scores ranging from normal weight obese (19.5-45.7 kg/m(2))...
Abstract Aerobic exercise is a promising form of prevention for cognitive decline; however, little known about the molecular mechanisms by which and fitness impacts human brain. Several studies have postulated that increased regional brain volume function are associated with aerobic because vascularization rather than neural tissue per se. We tested this position examining relationship between cardiorespiratory N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) levels in right frontal cortex using magnetic resonance...
A growing body of evidence from neuroscience, epidemiology, and kinesiology suggests that physical activity is effective as both a prevention treatment for cognitive problems throughout the lifespan. Given expected increase in proportion older adults most countries over next 40 years, could be low-cost relatively accessible method maintaining function later life. Despite emerging recognition powerful to enhance brain health, there continued confusion public scientific communities about what...
Age-related cognitive decline is linked to numerous molecular, structural, and functional changes in the brain. However, physical activity a promising method of reducing unfavorable age-related changes. Physical exerts its effects on brain through many molecular pathways, some which are regulated by genetic variants humans. In this paper, we highlight genes including apolipoprotein E (APOE), derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) along with dietary omega-3...
OBJECTIVES: To examine “real world” treatments for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). DESIGN: Cross‐sectional. SETTING: California Department of Public Health Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Research Centers California. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred seventy‐eight diagnosed MCI. MEASUREMENTS: All underwent comprehensive neurological and neuropsychological evaluations. Logistic regression models were used to determine patient characteristics associated use anti‐AD medications, statins,...
Objective: To determine whether combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation alters the trajectory of cognitive performance in HIV+ men, and cognition prior to cART predicts postcART function. Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. Methods: From an initial set 3701 men with complete neuropsychological data, HIV infection were initially matched without on status, race, age, timeline (T 0 defined as initiation). Propensity score matching was then used match...
Sleep problems may contribute to the disproportionate burden of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) among African Americans (AAs).To examine role sleep in contributing cognitive function clinically adjudicated impairment a predominantly AA sample.This study (n = 216, 78.8% female; mean age 67.7 years) examined associations between 1) level (i.e., measured 2018) 2) change over time (from 2013 2018; n 168) actigraphy-assessed with domain-specific (2018) community-dwelling, (96.9%)...
In this study, we examined associations of social isolation and loneliness with cognitive impairment among older adults from a Rust Belt region in Southwest Pennsylvania. We used data the population-based Monongahela-Youghiogheny Healthy Aging Team (MYHAT) study. found that (a) 11 items combined into two reliable composites loneliness; (b) unique to providing unpaid help others was an indicator reduced isolation; (c) were positively associated impairment; (d) these appreciably attenuated by...
To examine whether 12 months of aerobic training (AT) moderated the relationship between change in mobility and basal ganglia volume than balance toning (BAT) exercises older adults.Secondary analysis a randomized controlled trial.Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.Community-dwelling adults (N=101; mean age 66.4).Twelve-month exercise trial with two groups: AT BAT.Mobility was assessed using Timed Up Go test. Basal (putamen, caudate nucleus, pallidum) segmented from T1-weighted magnetic resonance...
Abstract Background Black Americans have disproportionately higher rates and earlier onset of Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (ADRD) relative to White Americans. We currently lack a comprehensive understanding how the lived experience broader societal factors, including cumulative exposure structural racism mechanisms underlying risks, may contribute elevated ADRD risk in Methods The Think PHRESH study builds on existing, community-based research infrastructure, from ongoing Pittsburgh...
Introduction . A family history of Alzheimer’s disease is a significant risk factor for its onset, but the genetic associated with possessing multiple alleles still poorly understood. Methods In sample 95 older adults (Mean age = 75.1, 64.2% female), we constructed score based on accumulation in BDNF, COMT, and APOE neuropsychological evaluation consensus determined cognitive status (44 nonimpaired, 51 impaired). Logistic regression was performed to determine whether predicted impairment...
Introduction Gait automaticity refers to the ability walk with minimal recruitment of attentional networks typically mediated through prefrontal cortex (PFC). Reduced gait (i.e., greater use resources during walking) is common aging, contributing an increased risk falls and reduced quality life. A assessment involves examining PFC activation using near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) dual-task (DT) paradigms, such as walking while performing a cognitive task. However, neither activity nor task...