University of California-San Diego · NeuroscienceAlzheimer's Health Disparities Lab
Sarah Banks · La Jolla, California
Research Focus
Dr. Sarah Banks's lab focuses on understanding how biological and lifestyle factors contribute to the risk and progression of Alzheimer's Disease, particularly in women and underrepresented groups like Black women. The lab investigates how inflammation, insulin resistance, and physical activity influence tau pathology and cognitive decline. By studying these relationships, the lab aims to identify modifiable risk factors and therapeutic targets that can help in preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s disease, especially in populations that have been historically overlooked in research.
Alzheimer's diseaseneuroinflammationtau pathologyinsulin resistancephysical activitycognitive declineBlack womenhealth disparitiesbiological markers
Research Aims
5AIM 01Examine how inflammatory markers relate to tau deposition in Black women at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
AIM 02Investigate the role of physical activity as a protective factor against cognitive decline.
AIM 03Explore the effects of insulin resistance on cognitive function and tau accumulation.
AIM 04Assess how social determinants of health influence Alzheimer's disease risk and progression.
AIM 05Identify sex-specific differences in Alzheimer's pathology and potential interventions.
Skills the Lab Values
blood sample analysisneuroimaging (PET)inflammation assaysbiomarker measurementphysical activity assessmentcommunity-based research methodsdata collection and managementstatistical analysislongitudinal study design
Output against the department
Publications268top 27% of dept.179th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.1kbottom 38% of dept.419th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.