We study cognitive and brain aging.
Aging is a complex process that often entails significant behavioral and brain changes. We are a cognitive neuroscience laboratory dedicated to understanding how and why people age differently. We use behavioral assessment, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and blood sample to investigate cognitive and brain aging in individuals across the adult lifespan, from those who age exceptionally well to those with Alzheimer's disease.
SCROLL DOWN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SOME DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF OUR RESEARCH!
Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Pathology
In neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease, brain pathology, such as beta-amyloid and tau, can emerge decades before the onset of the first symptoms, making it a common finding in people who are cognitively normal but, in fact, in the preclinical stage of the disease. Studying this early, incubating period and distinguishing it from normal aging processes are our main research focus.
"Super-agers": Superior Cognitive Aging
Aging has been historically characterized by substantial cognitive decline in many older adults, but there is considerable inter-individual variability in the maintenance of cognitive ability throughout the lifespan. Some people are more vulnerable to age-related cognitive decline, while others may be more resistant. Identifying these "Super-agers" allows us to understand what contribute to exceptional cognitive and brain aging.
Cognitive Health Disparities
Cognitive health disparities refer to differences in cognitive functioning or cognitive decline that exist between different populations, such as racial/ethnic groups, socioeconomic status (SES), education level, or gender. One particular interest in this lab is SES. Higher SES level is a protective factor that lowers dementia risks, but once diagnosed, people with higher SES experience a more rapid cognitive decline.