Healthy Brain Research Network

The Arizona Center on Aging's Healthy Brain Research Network (HBRN) Collaborating Center

One of five Collaborating Centers of the CDC Healthy Brain Research Network, the University of Arizona (AZ) HBRNs works in close partnership with the CDC Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging Program (AD+HAP), HBRN affiliates and national, regional and local partners to ensure that the HBRN advances a public health research and translation agenda for cognitive health and healthy aging.

“ The Healthy Brain Initiative envisions a nation in which the public embraces cognitive health as a vital component of health and is committed to its inclusion in public health efforts. To achieve that vision, our goal is to maintain or improve the cognitive performance of all adults.”

Our research emphasizes HBRN Research Goal # 2: Research to improve prevention of cognitive impairment for older adults with cognitive impairment, to improve identification, appropriate diagnosis, access to, and appropriate use of clinical and supportive services in primary care and public health settings.

Network activities will build on the mission of CDC’s Healthy Brain Research Network to:

Better understand attitudes and perceived changes in cognitive functioning over time through public health surveillance.
Build a strong evidence base for communication (e.g., messaging) and programmatic interventions to improve or maintain cognitive function.
Translate that evidence base into effective public health programs and practices in states and communities.

CDC Healthy Brain Inititiative:

Public Health Road Map for State and National Partnerships, 2013 - 2018

Statewide Collaborators:

National Collaborators:

CDC Healthy Brain Research Network Collaborating Center (PIs: Mohler/Fain) 07/01/2014 - 06/30/2019 Grant 3U48DP005002-01S4

This project is an initiative through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy Aging Program.

FACULTY

Co-PI: Jane Mohler, NP-C, MSN, MPH, PhD (Assoc. Dir ACOA;Co-PI AZ-GWEP & ADRD Add-on)
Area(s) of Interest: Professor of Medicine (Co-appointments in Public Health, Pharmacy, Nursing and Bioengineering), in the Division Director of Geriatrics, GIM and Palliative Medicine, past Associate Director of the Arizona Center on Aging, she is interested in objective screening applications for cognition, as well as geriatric /ADRD interprofessional team and sub-specialty education and training.
Co-PI: Mindy Fain, MD (Co-Director, ACOA; Co-PI: AZ-GWEP & ADRD Add-on)
Area(s) of Interest: Professor of Medicine, Division Director of Geriatrics, GIM and Palliative Medicine, and Co-Director of the ACOA, Dr. Fain’s interest lay in the development of interprofessional education and training materials and models of health care for the cognitively impaired. She Co-directs the Arizona Center on Aging, in PI of the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program and Division Director of Geriatrics, GIM and Palliative Medicine.

Research Scholar: Nima Toosizadeh, PhD (Bioengineering & Cognition Research)
Area(s) of Interest: An expert in biomechanical models, he is interested in using body worn sensor derived data to characterize function in aging adults, with an emphasis on cognition, chronic disease and geriatric syndromes. He collaborates closely with Banner Sun Health Aging Cohort and oversees Aging and Cognition Interns.
Associate: Ed Zamrini, MD (Neurologist, Banner sun Health Research Institute)
Testing of cognition screening assessment using an upper extremity dual task regimen in collaboration within Banner Sun Health Research Institute.
Associate: Nan-Kuei Chen, PhD (BME – Imaging)
Area(s) of Interest: Brain MRI -Phase correction of three-dimensional (3D) diffusion-weighted interleaved EPI using 3D multiplexed sensitivity encoding and reconstruction (3D-MUSER). He contributes to fMRI testing of dual task conditions in cognitively intact, and older adults with MCI project.
Associate: Melisa Menchola, PhD (Neuropsychologist)
Area(s) of Interest: fMRI and neuropsychiatric correlates of dual task conditions in cognitively intact, and older adults with MCI.
Associate: Steve Rapcsak, MD (Neurologist)
Area(s) of Interest: fMRI testing of dual task conditions in cognitively intact, and older adults with MCI.
Associate: Babak Nayeri, ND, FACFE, DAAPM (ADHS Healthy Aging Liaison)
Area(s) of Interest: As ADHS Healthy Aging Liaison, he has interests in promoting healthy aging; and CHW integration in CD and cognitive impairment care.

HBRN SCHOLARS

HBRN Scholar: Sarah Fakhoury (BS Student BME, ASU 2018)
Area(s) of Interest: Testing of cognition screening assessment using an upper extremity dual task regimen in collaboration with Banner Sun Health Research Institute
HBRN Scholar: Daniel Gaytan-Jenkins (BS Student BME, ASU 2018)
Area(s) of Interest: Testing of cognition screening assessment using an upper extremity dual task regimen in collaboration with Banner Sun Health Research Institute
HBRN Scholar: Ziad Hindosh
HBRN Scholar: Antonio Lopez (BS Student BME, ASU 2018)
Area(s) of Interest: Testing of cognition screening assessment using an upper extremity dual task regimen in collaboration with Banner Sun Health Research Institute
HBRN Scholar: Coco Tirambulo, BS (MPH Student, 2020)
Area(s) of Interest: fMRI testing of dual task conditions in cognitively intact, and older adults with MCI. Assisting with coordination of an internal pilot project, Coco is learning how to post, process and analyze fMRI scans.
HBRN Scholar: Rachel Peterson (PhD doctoral program 2019)
Area(s) of Interest: Cognition education and training, and assessment and referral models of care. Working closely in the development of community health worker educational materials and training in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Association, State Health Department and Arizona Indian Nations.
HBRN Scholar: Faissal Stipho
HBRN Scholar: Alexandra Sween
HBRN Scholar: Laura Vitkus, MPH
Area(s) of Interest: How deafness in older adults in associated with cognitive impairment, and strategies to maintain cognition in deaf older adults, including assisted living best practices.
HBRN Scholar: Genevieve Wahlert (BS Student BME, UA 2019)
Area(s) of Interest: fMRI testing of dual task conditions in cognitively intact, and older adults with MCI. Assisting with coordination of an internal pilot project, Genevieve is learning how to post, process and analyze fMRI scans.