Skip to main content

Deborah Koltai

Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Adult Psychiatry & Psychology
Box 3333 Med Ctr, Durham, NC
Morreene Rd Clinic, Durham, NC

Overview


1) Investigation of factors related to care of epilepsy patients in Uganda, Africa to inform capacity building and infrastructure strengthening efforts. Studies have involved a pursuit of understanding the cultural context and its impact on health care delivery and utilization.

2) Development and psychometric validation of neuropsychological and behavioral instruments.

3) The effect of psychological interventions on the abilities and adjustment of dementia patients and those at-risk for developing neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease. Interventions include modified cognitive (mnemonic; organizational) strategies, and traditional psychotherapy (dynamic and behavioral).

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · 2015 - Present Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Adult Psychiatry & Psychology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Associate Professor in Neurology · 2013 - Present Neurology, Behavioral Neurology, Neurology
Associate Professor in Neurosurgery · 2017 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Senior Fellow in the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development · 1996 - Present Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Institutes and Centers
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute · 2021 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published May 28, 2021
Understanding the Influence of Spiritual Beliefs on Epilepsy Care
Published April 21, 2021
Two Faculty Receive Inaugural Bass Connections Leadership Award
Published August 17, 2015
New brain-training app focuses on athletes

View All News

Recent Publications


Evaluation of Interventions for Cognitive Symptoms in Long COVID: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Journal Article JAMA Neurol · November 10, 2025 IMPORTANCE: Treatment for cognitive dysfunction due to postacute sequelae of long COVID (ie, symptoms of fatigue, malaise, weakness, confusion that persist beyond 12 weeks after an initial COVID infection) remains a significant unmet need. OBJECTIVE: To te ... Full text Link to item Cite

Population-based prevalence of epilepsy in Uganda: A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Journal Article Epilepsia · November 2025 OBJECTIVE: Establishing the prevalence of epilepsy in Uganda is crucial to inform interventions and public policy. We conducted a nationwide survey to determine epilepsy prevalence. METHODS: From January 2019 to July 2022, a door-to-door survey was conduct ... Full text Link to item Cite

MRI Predictors of Cognitive Function After Lacunar Infarction.

Journal Article Stroke · July 2025 BACKGROUND: Poststroke cognitive impairment is associated with disability and decreased quality of life. We assessed whether individual or collective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers can aid in predicting cognitive impairment after lacunar infar ... Full text Link to item Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


Building Brain Health Research Capacity in Rwanda: Neurocognition and Neurobehavior Across the Lifespan

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Epilepsy in Uganda: Clinical characterization and co-morbidities, their relation to stigma among adolescents and impact of a community-based intervention

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Makerere University College of Health Sciences · 2021 - 2026

RECOVER Infrastructure Modification 11 (Yr 3)

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Research Triangle Institute International · 2022 - 2026

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


Alliant International University - California School of Professional Psychology · 1993 Ph.D.