Research

The work of our lab spans 3 areas:

  • Aging
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Advanced Epidemiological Methods

Our lab aims to understand optimal preventive strategies for chronic disease in older adults, particularly among the very old, frail, and underrepresented minorities. Our work has focused on prevention of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes, as well as preservation of physical and cognitive function in older adults.

CURRENT STUDIES AND GRANT SUPPORT

1. Management of Hypertension among Persons with and without Dementia in Long- Term Care
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health
Role: Principal Investigator
Brief Summary: This research will evaluate the benefits and harms of treatment for high blood pressure among nursing home residents with and without dementia. Additionally, we will evaluate whether reducing the intensity of treatment may improve outcomes.

2. Statins and Dementia Risk: A Novel Quasi-Experimental Approach to Identify Causal Effects
Funding source: National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health
Role: Multiple Principal Investigator with Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri (Columbia University)
Brief Summary: In this study, we plan to use regression discontinuity to estimate the effect of statins on dementia risk by leveraging a guideline passed in the United Kingdom in 2008. This study will also examine heterogeneous treatment effects.

3. Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Risk Factors for Mobility Limitation in the Jackson Heart Study
Role: Principal Investigator
Synopsis: This study will add a functional limitation component to the Jackson Heart Study. This study will use novel statistical mediation methods to quantify the role of potential mediators in CVD/CBVD risk factors and mobility limitation

4. Prevalence and Prognosis of Blood Pressure Medication Deintensification among Older VA Nursing Home Residents
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health
Role: Multiple Principal Investigator
Brief Summary: This project describes the epidemiology of blood pressure treatment and control in VA nursing home residents

5. Non-Esterified Fatty Acids and Dementia: Risk, Structure, and Biomarkers
Role: Co-Investigator
Brief Summary: This project leverages CHS’ unique data and specimen resources, a well-phenotyped cohort and a research team with a proven track record of collaborative success, and ongoing NIA-funded project to tackle the central role of NEFAs in dementia.

PREVIOUS SUPPORT

Preservation of Vascular and Functional Health among Nonagenarians
Funding Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health
Role: Principal Investigator
Dates: January, 2017 to December, 2018 (NCE)
Brief Summary: We created a synthetic cohort of 2,000 CHS participants who have lived to ≥90 years. We identified factors in early old age that may provide targets for preservation of cardiovascular and functional health into late old age.

A New Paradigm for Hypertension in the Elderly – Beyond Age
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging /National Institutes of Health
Role: Multiple Principal Investigator with Carmen Peralta (UCSF)
Dates: September, 2014 to November, 2018 (NCE)
Brief Summary: Treatment of high blood pressure in elderly persons remains controversial. This grant focuses on developing systematic methods to understand which elderly persons benefit from lowering blood pressure, and in whom treatment may be ineffective or even harmful.