Overview
1) Epidemiological studies to examine the prevalence and incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment, not dementia (CIND)
2) Studies examining risk and protective factors for dementia and CIND
3) Behavioral genetics of aging and dementia with an emphasis on twin studies
4) Long term outcomes of traumatic brain injury
5) Oral health and cognition in later life
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
·
2021 - Present
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Professor of Neurology
·
2020 - Present
Neurology, Behavioral Neurology,
Neurology
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
·
2014 - Present
Duke Institute for Brain Sciences,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Joint Effect of Edentulism and Diabetes on All-Cause Mortality Risks: A 12-Year Prospective Cohort Analysis.
Journal Article J Public Health Dent · December 2025 OBJECTIVES: Edentulism and diabetes mellitus (DM) are frequently seen among older adults. However, the joint effect of edentulism and DM on mortality was understudied. We aim to examine the joint effect of edentulism and DM on all-cause mortality and to wh ... Full text Link to item CiteReply to Ko, Null within-twin estimates on education and dementia: cautions for within-family contrasts.
Journal Article Eur J Epidemiol · December 2025 We reply to the letter to the editor by Soohyeon Ko (Eur J Epidemiol, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-025-01305-x ) concerning our article by Walters et al. (Eur J Epidemiol, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-025-01286-x ). We reiterate that genetic explanatio ... Full text Link to item CiteErrata regarding missing Editor Disclosure statements in previously published articles
Journal Article Aging and Health Research · December 2025 Full text CiteRecent Grants
Pesticide Use and Markers of ADRD Neurodegeneration among US Farmers
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Michigan State University · 2025 - 2030National Health and Aging Trends Study
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Johns Hopkins University · 2019 - 2029Improving the lives of persons living with dementia and their families through person-centered measurement of home time
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2021 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Arizona ·
1986
Ph.D.