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Jeffrey Nicholas Browndyke

Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences
508 Fulton St, Box 116-A, Durham, NC 27710
508 Fulton St, Durham, NC 27705

Overview


Dr. Browndyke is an Associate Professor of Behavioral Health & Neurosciences in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences.  He has a secondary appointment as Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. Browndyke's research interests involve the use of advanced neurocognitive and neuroimaging techniques for perioperative contributions to delirium and later dementia risk, monitoring of late-life neuropathological disease progression, and intervention/treatment outcomes.  His research also involves novel telehealth methods for remote neurocognitive evaluation and implementation of non-invasive neuromodulatory techniques to assist in postoperative recovery and dementia risk reduction.

Dr. Browndyke's clinical expertise is focused upon geriatric neuropsychology with an emphasis in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia and related disorders in adults and US veteran patient populations.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · 2021 - Present Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Assistant Professor in Surgery · 2020 - Present Surgery, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Surgery
Affiliate of the Center for Brain Imaging and Analysis · 2007 - Present Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Institutes and Centers
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2008 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers
Senior Fellow of the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development · 2020 - Present Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published April 17, 2020
Can Yoga Improve Memory?
Published October 19, 2019
ASA Podcast - Postoperative Delirium and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction
Published July 16, 2018
Focus on Postoperative Decline Could Help NC Patients, Hospitals

View All News

Recent Publications


Mixed-methods Analysis of Preoperative Distress and Postoperative Outcomes in a Prospective, Observational Cohort of Older Adults.

Journal Article Anesthesiology · January 1, 2026 BACKGROUND: The effect of psychological distress on general geriatric surgery outcomes remains unexplored despite recommendations for routine, preoperative distress screening. This study aimed to assess preoperative distress measures in a general geriatric ... Full text Link to item Cite

Developing Topics.

Journal Article Alzheimers Dement · December 2025 BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium (POD), characterized by acute fluctuations in consciousness and attention, is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. However, the neural mechanisms underlying attention impairments in ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Neural Mechanisms Underlying Attentional Resilience in the Aging Brain

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2024 - 2029

Adaptive Neuromodulation of Working Memory Networks in Aging and Dementia

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2022 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge · 2001 Ph.D.