Dr. Thomas M. Wisniewski's lab at NYU studies the cognitive impacts of COVID-19 on older adults, especially those who may develop Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. They focus on identifying biomarkers in the blood that could predict cognitive decline following COVID-19 infection. By examining patients over time, the lab aims to understand how COVID-19 affects brain health and what factors contribute to cognitive impairment in this population.

Sarah E Tomaszewski-Farias's lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding how some individuals resist cognitive decline associated with aging and dementias like Alzheimer's disease. The lab investigates factors that contribute to 'cognitive reserve,' which helps some people maintain cognitive function despite brain changes. Their research includes studying the impact of lifestyle factors and subjective cognitive decline across diverse racial and ethnic groups, aiming to enhance public health outcomes for aging populations.

Dr. Jeremy H. Herskowitz runs a research lab focused on understanding how some individuals can maintain cognitive function despite having Alzheimer's disease pathology in their brains. The lab aims to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms that contribute to this resilience and discover potential therapeutic targets for delaying or preventing dementia. By studying brain regions and synaptic health, they hope to pave the way for new treatments that improve cognitive function in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Catherine Cook Kaczorowski's research lab at the University of Michigan focuses on understanding the genetic factors that influence cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The team studies how genetic and environmental factors, including sleep and diet, impact brain function and resilience to cognitive decline. By using advanced mouse models and comparing findings to human datasets, the lab aims to identify potential therapeutic targets to improve quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairments.

Dr. Brice V McConnell's lab focuses on using sleep electroencephalography (EEG) to enhance our understanding of memory processing and brain health, specifically in the context of Alzheimer's disease. They aim to develop inexpensive digital biomarkers that can monitor cognitive health and detect early signs of neurodegeneration, which could significantly aid in diagnosing and managing Alzheimer's disease. By applying advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques, they analyze large datasets of sleep recordings to find patterns indicative of brain aging and cognitive decline.

Dr. Nandakumar Narayanan's lab at the University of Iowa focuses on understanding cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD). They study how brain rhythms relate to attention, memory, and cognitive control in PD patients, with the goal of developing new treatments. By exploring the interactions between brain activity, genetics, and novel therapies, the lab aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with PD and related dementias.

Dr. Alberto Rafael Ramos's lab at the University of Miami focuses on understanding how sleep, specifically obstructive sleep apnea, affects cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease risk in Latino communities. The research is crucial because Latinos have a much higher rate of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias compared to non-Hispanic whites. The lab aims to identify how vascular risk factors like blood pressure fluctuations relate to cognitive health in this population, potentially paving the way for prevention strategies.

Dr. Amy F.T. Arnsten's lab at Yale University studies how stress affects the brain, particularly the areas responsible for memory and decision-making. By focusing on specific norepinephrine receptors, the research aims to understand why current treatments for disorders like PTSD and schizophrenia may not work for everyone. The ultimate goal is to find better therapeutic options that can improve cognitive function during stress-related challenges.

Dr. Dilek Colak's research lab at Weill Medical College focuses on the role of astrocytes in brain function, specifically how they regulate cognitive abilities through a process called Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay (NMD). By studying how astrocytic NMD influences synaptic plasticity and memory, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic targets for treating cognitive dysfunctions linked to neurological disorders. Their work combines advanced genetic models and imaging techniques to explore the complex interactions between neurons and astrocytes in the brain.

Dr. Gennady Cymbalyuk's research lab investigates how the body senses cold and how this sensation can relate to pain, particularly in conditions like neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. By using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model, the lab combines experiments with computer simulations to understand the basic biology of cold detection and its implications for health. This innovative approach not only explores the cellular and molecular side of cold sensing but also aims to shed light on how painful responses to cold develop in various diseases.

Dr. Laura Colgin's lab focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms that lead to cognitive challenges in Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that affects social interaction and spatial awareness. By studying the hippocampus, specifically regions called CA2 and CA1, the lab investigates how these areas might be impaired in rodent models of the syndrome. The aim is to uncover neural workings that could ultimately guide the development of targeted therapies for those affected by Fragile X syndrome.

Dr. Nicholas Elwood Johnson's lab focuses on understanding congenital myotonic dystrophy, a severe muscle disorder affecting infants and children. The team investigates the molecular changes in RNA and gene expression that occur during the disease's progression. By studying muscle samples from affected individuals at various ages, they aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms of the disease and identify potential new therapies to help treat these patients.

Dr. Scott E. Cooper's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on improving treatment strategies for Parkinson's disease, particularly symptoms related to postural instability and gait disorders. By employing advanced brain imaging and computational modeling, the lab seeks to tailor deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapies to individual patients. This personalized approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of DBS by identifying and targeting specific neural pathways involved in these debilitating symptoms.

Dr. Katheryn Alexandra Quilico Cousins leads a research lab focused on understanding frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), a group of neurodegenerative diseases. Her team works to identify biofluid biomarkers that can help classify different subtypes of FTLD and determine the progression of the disease. By analyzing biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma, the lab aims to improve diagnosis and prognosis for patients suffering from this complex condition.

Dr. Jeremy N Kay's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding the role of the CRB1 gene in inherited retinal degeneration. By studying how different variants of the CRB1 gene affect retinal health, the lab aims to develop strategies for gene therapy that could halt or reverse vision loss in patients suffering from this condition. Their research involves complex mouse models and various cellular analyses to explore potential therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Jaime Perales Puchalt's lab focuses on developing innovative solutions to support Latino caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. They have created a bilingual text message intervention called CuidaTEXT, which aims to improve mental health outcomes for caregivers by providing tailored support and resources. The lab conducts clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of this intervention and its impact on caregiver stress and well-being.

Dr. Jeffrey Dage's lab focuses on finding new biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions like progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). By studying different forms of the tau protein in the blood, the lab aims to improve early diagnosis and understanding of these diseases. Their work involves advanced techniques to analyze blood samples from clinical trials, contributing to better detection of tau-related disorders.

Dr. Sandhitsu Das's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding the relationship between tau pathology and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease through advanced imaging techniques. The lab investigates how variations in tau levels can affect brain structure and cognitive function, aiming to identify different patient phenotypes that may influence disease progression. This research could improve clinical management and drug development for Alzheimer's disease by providing insights into individual vulnerabilities and resiliencies.

Dr. Jeremy J. Day's lab studies how substances like cocaine affect the brain, particularly in regions linked to reward and motivation. They focus on understanding the roles of specific proteins, Gadd45b and Reelin, in altering gene expression and behavior when exposed to drugs. By exploring these molecular mechanisms, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets for addiction treatment and enhance our understanding of motivated behavior disorders.

Dr. Gabriel Alejandro De Erausquin's lab focuses on understanding how COVID-19 impacts cognitive decline and the risk of Alzheimer's disease among diverse populations. The research includes studying genetic variations and their relationship with cognitive health in older adults from underrepresented minorities, particularly those from America, Africa, and South America. The lab collaborates with multiple institutions to assess factors like neurological imaging and biomarkers over several years following COVID-19 infection.