A5067393804- Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Music Therapy and Health
- Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
- Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units
- Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders
- Neurological diseases and metabolism
- Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
- Neuroscience and Music Perception
- Action Observation and Synchronization
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
- Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Diverse Music Education Insights
- Frailty in Older Adults
University of Chicago
2024-2025
University Memory and Aging Center
2025
University of California, San Francisco
2025
Northwestern University
2018-2024
Google (United States)
2022
Abstract INTRODUCTION Primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a language‐based neurodegenerative dementia, negatively impacts communication and quality of life. Previous non‐pharmacologic interventions show promise but lack efficacy trials. Here, outcomes are provided from Communication Bridge‐2 (CB2), speech‐language randomized controlled trial (RCT) for PPA. METHODS CB2 is the first Phase 2, Stage II, parallel‐group RCT delivered via video chat with global enrollment. Ninety‐five dyads were...
Purpose: The use of telepractice in the field communication disorders offers an opportunity to provide care for those with primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Western Aphasia Battery–Revised (WAB-R) is used differential diagnosis, assess severity aphasia, and identify a language profile strengths challenges. Telehealth administration WAB-R supported chronic due stroke but has not yet been systematically explored neurodegenerative dementia syndromes. To fill this gap, in-person telehealth...
Family caregivers of patients with dementia suffer a high burden depression and reduced positive emotions. Mentalizing imagery therapy (MIT) provides mindfulness guided skills training to improve balanced mentalizing emotion regulation.
Certain frontotemporal lobar degeneration subtypes, including TDP-A and B, can either occur sporadically or in association with specific genetic mutations. It is uncertain whether syndromic imaging features previously associated these patient groups are subtype genotype specific. Our study sought to discern the similarities differences between sporadic TDP-B. We generated individual atrophy maps extracted mean scores for regions of interest-frontotemporal, occipitoparietal, thalamus,...
BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults experienced health declines due to isolation. Group singing is known enhance social, emotional, and physical well-being, but its feasibility in virtual formats was unclear.ObjectiveTo assess of group for cognitively healthy (CH) individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NcD) during pandemic.MethodTwo teleconferencing programs were conducted participants aged >55: (1) a sing-along series 52 weekly sessions familiar music (2) choir program...
Family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (AD ADRD) often experience high stress are at risk for depression. Technologically delivered therapy is attractive AD ADRD because the time demands associated in-person participation.We aimed to study feasibility conduct limited efficacy testing a mobile app intervention delivering mentalizing imagery (MIT) family caregivers.A 4-week trial MIT was conducted assess use investigate changes in depression symptoms, mood,...
Background: Music-based psychosocial interventions may provide effective management of behavioral symptoms in persons with dementia (PWDs). However, there has been a paucity studies that measured their effect on social engagement. This proof-of-concept study evaluates efficacy the Musical Bridges to Memory (MBM) intervention PWD’s engagement, symptoms, and associated caregiver distress. Methods: Twenty-nine PWDs caregivers (8 control dyads, 21 intervention) participated this dyadically...
Abstract Background The multisite SuperAging Research Initiative (SRI) was established in 2021 to identify resilience and resistance factors promoting cognitive healthspan through a harmonized multidisciplinary protocol with prospective data collection. designation of SuperAger is reserved for individuals age 80+ episodic memory performance that at least average those 2‐3 decades younger. studies this relatively uncommon phenotype allow investigations fundamental importance the neurobiology...
Abstract Background The SuperAging Research Initiative (SRI) seeks to identify factors that promote cognitive healthspan. SuperAgers are defined as individuals aged 80 and older with episodic memory performance is at least average for people who two three decades younger. A goal of the SRI genomic contributors herein we describe interim results DNA‐ plasma protein‐based analyses. Method Biospecimens were collected in concert in‐person assessments. Genomic DNA (n = 125 SuperAgers) was...
Abstract Background Singing improves mood, social, and physical well‐being (Pentikainen et al., 2021). Choral singing has therefore gained recognition as a highly recommended activity for older adults persons with dementia to fight isolation (Petrovsky 2020; Sakamoto et., 2023). In previous study, using qualitative measures, we demonstrated virtual sing‐along choral offered by the Chicago‐based Sounds Good Choir were associated improved anxiety, emotional, (Schafer 2023) qualitative, but not...
<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (AD ADRD) often experience high stress are at risk for depression. Technologically delivered therapy is attractive AD ADRD because the time demands associated in-person participation. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> We aimed to study feasibility conduct limited efficacy testing a mobile app intervention delivering mentalizing imagery (MIT) family caregivers. <title>METHODS</title> A...
Abstract Background During the COVID‐19 pandemic, older adults experienced a marked decline in well‐being, attributed largely to social isolation (Tilburg et al, 2021; Krendl 2021). Previous literature shows that participatory musical interventions, like group singing, improve well‐being and provide emotional support (Pentikäinen Johnson 2020). However, pandemic highlighted need for research on how such programs may be administered an online setting. The enforced shutdown of in‐person choirs...
Objectives: Due to psychological and physical strain, family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease related dementias are at high risk for depression stress disorders. We investigated the feasibility a mobile application (App) intervention delivering Mentalizing Imagery Therapy (MIT), which incorporates guided imagery mindfulness, facilitate self-regulation increase perspective on mental life self others. Method: A 4-week pilot trial an MIT App people dementia was conducted assess...
Abstract Background Music‐based interventions can reduce the severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms in persons with dementia (PWD), and turn need for pharmacological (e.g., psychotropic). However, few intervention trials have used a dyadic group approach. We determine efficacy music‐based on PWD social engagement. Musical Bridges to Memory (MBM) uses both perceptive expressive forms intervention, administered setting, mediate improve interaction between dyads (PWDs their caregivers). Method...