The lab for epidemiological research of Alzheimer’s disease and brain aging

The goal of our lab is to explore lifestyle, biological and genetic factors that are associated with accelerated brain aging and that may affect one’s risk to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. 

With aging, the brain undergoes neurodegenerative changes and brain pathologies become more common. In response, some individuals may experience subtle cognitive decline, and others will develop cognitive impairment that will affect their ability to perform daily activities. Our lab focuses on understanding why some individuals maintain their cognition through older ages while others become diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Our lab also seeks to identify biological markers, particularly in blood, that can serve as predictors of Alzheimer’s disease in apparently healthy individuals. 

To do that, we utilize data from multiple sources such as Israeli Health Maintenance Organizations, the UK Biobank and more. This information is then being analyzed to assess links of individuals’ characteristics and exposures with markers of brain aging and dementia risk.