As a behavioral neurologist, my primary goal during clinic visits is to determine if brain function changes in adults above the age of 50 are related to the aging process or are suggestive of a neurodegenerative disease requiring further care. Common neurodegenerative diseases that are evaluated in the clinic include Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Another focus during clinic visit is to address all neurological, psychiatric, and medical factors which may impact brain health. It is a privilege and honor to understand a patient's life-long journey. This is an important part of the clinic visit since it allows me to identify various risk factors throughout one's life which may lead to the development of a neurodegenerative disorder. This is also one of the main reasons I chose to become a behavioral neurologist.
While striving to provide excellent clinical care, I have several research interests. Firstly, a group of collaborators and I are investigating if epigenetic changes throughout life may explain the racial disparities between African and European Americans in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Secondly, I am interested in investigating if convalescent COVID-19 patients are at a higher risk for the development of dementia later in life. Lastly, I am investigating a genetic disorder named Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) to determine if people diagnosed with TSC develop a neurodegenerative disease called frontotemporal dementia (FTD) later in life.
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This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.
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