Research on Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Risk

Over 50 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2020, a number projected to reach 139 million by 2050. Yet most of what we know about Alzheimer's disease and Related Dementias comes from a narrow slice of the population, leaving entire communities underrepresented in the science meant to protect them.

Brain aging begins much earlier than most people realize. Alzheimer's disease can silently alter the brain through measurable changes in biomarkers like amyloid, tau, and inflammation decades before any symptom appears. Emerging conditions like long COVID further remind us that infections and immune responses can shape neurological health in ways we are only beginning to understand.

Our research investigates the biological, lifestyle, environmental, and social factors that influence brain aging and neurodegeneration across the lifespan, with particular attention to populations historically excluded from this field. By identifying early risk factors, understanding what shapes biomarkers, decoding disease mechanisms, and testing targeted interventions, we work toward a future where everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to age with a healthy mind and live their fullest life.

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Blood Biomarkers, Risk Factors, and Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

We investigate how social, lifestyle, and biological factors, including stress, adversity, exercise, sleep, genetics, inflammation, and cardiometabolic health, influence blood-based Alzheimer’s biomarkers, cognitive decline, and brain aging. Understanding what drives variability in these biomarker levels is critical for realizing their potential as tools for early detection, for identifying who should be selected for clinical trials, and for tracking disease progression and treatment effectiveness. Using diverse longitudinal cohorts and combining plasma biomarkers with MRI, behavioral measures, and cognitive assessments, we aim to uncover early indicators of dementia risk, identify factors that accelerate or protect against cognitive decline, and strengthen the foundation for using blood-based testing in clinical practice.

Why it matters: Brain aging begins early, yet we still know little about what makes some people more vulnerable to dementia. By uncovering these early risk factors, we can develop strategies to support healthy brain aging and reduce the risk of dementia later in life.

Projects

Traumatic Brain Injury and Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease, Neurodegeneration, and Inflammation

An illustration of the social exposome showing how social and environmental factors across the lifespan influence brain health and dementia risk.

Social Exposome and Dementia Risk in Young to Middle Adulthood

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Adverse Childhood Events and Cognitive Functioning Across the Lifespan

Boosting NAD+ and Long-COVID Recovery with Nicotinamide Riboside

We conducted a clinical trial testing whether nicotinamide riboside (NR) can increase NAD+ levels and improve cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and physical symptoms in individuals with long COVID. Initial findings have been published in eClinicalMedicine here. We are conducting follow-up studies to explore whether boosting NAD+ improves Long COVID symptoms, including muscle strength, gait, and sleep and physical activity measured with wearables, as well as reducing inflammation and other markers of brain health.

Why it matters: Millions of people worldwide continue to experience long COVID symptoms, yet there are currently no effective treatments, and its pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood.

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Projects

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The Effect of Nicotinamide Riboside on NAD+ and Physical Activity in Long COVID

The Effect of Nicotinamide Riboside on NAD+ and Cognition and Long COVID Symptom Recovery

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Characterizing Long COVID Neurological Symptoms and Its Mechanisms

These studies investigate how neural injury, inflammation, and immune responses contribute to neurological symptoms in long COVID. By combining comprehensive cognitive and neurological assessments with advanced immune profiling, including adaptive immunity and autoimmunity, we aim to identify biomarkers that predict recovery and clarify underlying mechanisms. We also measure MRI-based brain changes to examine how long COVID affects the brain and relate to persistent symptoms.

Why it matters: Understanding the neuro-immune landscape of long COVID can aid in developing predictive models for prognosis and recovery, guide the identification of interventions to reduce persistent neurological symptoms and improve recovery, and significantly advance our broader understanding of the potential effects of viral infection on neuro-immune functioning and brain health.