Neuroepidemiology
Director
Deborah Gustafson, PhD MS
Dr. Gustafson’s NeuroEpidemiology program focuses on vascular risk factors with an emphasis on adiposity, the aging brain (cognition and brain imaging), and frailty in aging underrepresented and global communities. Among women with and without HIV infection in the United States, data collection and analyses are ongoing related to blood-based Alzheimer’s Disease biomarkers, leptin, miRNAs, cognition, brain imaging, and frailty. Pilot studies of cardiovascular disease risk and brain health (cognition, depressive symptoms) are occurring in the low and middle income countries of Georgia and Kazakhstan among women and men with HIV infection. Data are available from Southwest US indigenous communities related to vascular risk, cognition and mental health. We are also conducting a social media survey on neuropsychiatric symptoms and signs among survivors of a rare brain tumor, and data analyses have occurred using data sets from, for example, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Argentina.
Examples of funding are included below.
MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study
Funding Source: NIH/National Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood
Project Summary
The major aims of this study are to examine the natural history and gynecological
manifestations of HIV disease in
women and men. My areas include aging, adiposity, brain health, cognition and frailty.
Substudies are funded in
blood-based Alzheimer’s Disease biomarkers, brain imaging, miRNAs, gut microbiome,
heart health, sleep, and
pulmonary function.
Vascular contributions to cognitive impairments and dementia (VCID) among people living with HIV in the country of Georgia
Funding Source: NIH Fogarty International Center
Project Summary
The major aim of this study is to examine the role of vascular contributors to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) in people living with HIV infection and who are age 40 years and older in Georgia. This study addresses the HIV/noncommunicable, vascular disease intersection.
Cardiovascular disease risk among people living with HIV in Kazakhstan
Funding Source: NIH Fogarty International Center
Project Summary
The major aim of this study is to address the HIV/noncommunicable disease intersection among people living with HIV infection who are age 40 years and older in Kazakhstan. The noncommunicable disease focus is cardiovascular disease.
For More Information Contact:
Deborah Gustafson, MS, PhD deborah.gustafson@downstate.edu