Geda Laboratory
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Laboratory Focus
The Geda Laboratory at Barrow Neurological Institute addresses common concerns for millions of elderly people. For example, consider the following hypothetical scenario in which an 80-year-old person asks the following questions:
- If I start physical activity today, would it reduce my risk of dementia?
- Does engaging in mentally stimulating activities, such as using a computer, reduce my risk of dementia?
- How about the timing of eating and the type of food I eat; would it impact my risk of dementia?
- Does excessive negative emotion such as depression and hostility increase my risk of dementia?
- Does physical activity also decrease my risk of developing new onset depression as I get older?
Our lab has a long standing track record of addressing these questions, primarily by carrying out cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies.
Active Research Projects
Contributions to Science – Our team has investigated the association between physical activity and the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is the intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia.
Related Publications
- Geda YE, Roberts RO, Knopman DS, Christianson TJ, Pankratz VS, Ivnik RJ, Boeve BF, Tangalos EG, Petersen RC, Rocca WA. Physical exercise, aging, and mild cognitive impairment: a population-based study. Arch Neurol. 2010 Jan; 67 (1):80-6 PMID: 20065133 PMCID: 2919839 DOI: 10.1001/archneurol.2009.297
- Ahlskog JE, Geda YE, Graff-Radford NR, Petersen RC. Physical exercise as a preventive or disease-modifying treatment of dementia and brain aging. Mayo Clin Proc. 2011 Sep; 86 (9):876-84 PMID: 21878600 PMCID: 3258000 DOI: 10.4065/mcp.2011.0252
- Krell-Roesch J, Pink A, Roberts RO, Stokin GB, Mielke MM, Spangehl KA, Bartley MM, Knopman DS, Christianson TJ, Petersen RC, Geda YE. Timing of Physical Activity, Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 Genotype, and Risk of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016 Dec; 64 (12):2479-2486 Epub 2016 Nov 01 PMID: 27801933 PMCID: 5173416 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14402
- Krell-Roesch J, Feder NT, Roberts RO, Mielke MM, Christianson TJ, Knopman DS, Petersen RC, Geda YE. Leisure-Time Physical Activity and the Risk of Incident Dementia: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018; 63 (1):149-155 PMID: 29614667 PMCID: 5900557 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-171141
- Krell-Roesch, J., Syrjanen, J.A., Bezold, J., Trautwein, S., Barisch-Fritz, B., Boes, K., Woll, A., Forzani, E., Kremers, W.K., Machulda, M.M., Mielke, M.M., Knopman, D.S., Petersen, R.C., Vassilaki, M. & Geda, Y.E. (2021). Physical activity and trajectory of cognitive change in older persons: Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 79 (1), 377-388. doi: 10.3233/JAD-200959
Contributions to Science – We investigated the associations between mentally stimulating activities, MCI, and dementia.
Related Publications
- Krell-Roesch J, Vemuri P, Pink A, Roberts RO, Stokin GB, Mielke MM, Christianson TJ, Knopman DS, Petersen RC, Kremers WK, Geda YE. Association Between Mentally Stimulating Activities in Late Life and the Outcome of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment, With an Analysis of the APOE epsilon4 Genotype. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Mar 1; 74 (3):332-338 PMID: 28135351 PMCID: 5473779 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.3822
- Geda YE. A purpose-oriented life: is it potentially neuroprotective? Arch Neurol. 2010 Aug; 67 (8):1010-1 PMID: 20697053 PMCID: 3918477 DOI: 10.1001/archneurol.2010.170
- Krell-Roesch J, Syrjanen JA, Vassilaki M, Machulda MM, Mielke MM, Knopman DS, Kremers WK, Petersen RC, Geda YE. Quantity and quality of mental activities and the risk of incident mild cognitive impairment. Neurology. 2019 Aug 6; 93 (6):e548-e558 Epub 2019 July 10 PMID: 31292224 PMCID: 6710000 DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007897
Contributions to Science – Our team has investigated the associations between neuropsychiatric symptoms and the risk of MCI. We also investigated the pathway linking neuropsychiatric symptoms, Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, and MCI.
Related Publications
- Geda YE, Knopman DS, Mrazek DA, Jicha GA, Smith GE, Negash S, Boeve BF, Ivnik RJ, Petersen RC, Pankratz VS, Rocca WA. Depression, apolipoprotein E genotype, and the incidence of mild cognitive impairment: a prospective cohort study. Arch Neurol. 2006 Mar; 63(3):435-40. PMID: 16533972 DOI: 10.1001/archneur.63.3.435
- Geda YE, Roberts RO, Knopman DS, Petersen RC, Christianson TJ, Pankratz VS, Smith GE, Boeve BF, Ivnik RJ, Tangalos EG, Rocca WA. Prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment and normal cognitive aging: population-based study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 Oct; 65 (10):1193-8 PMID: 18838636 PMCID: 2575648 DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.65.10.1193
- Geda YE. Blowing hot and cold over depression and cognitive impairment. Neurology. 2010 Jul 6; 75(1):12-4. PMID:20603480 DOI:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181e8cc2f
- Geda YE. Mild cognitive impairment in older adults. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2012 Aug; 14 (4):320-7 PMID: 22773365 PMCID: 3963488 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-012-0291-x
- Geda YE, Schneider LS, Gitlin LN, Miller DS, Smith GS, Bell J, Evans J, Lee M, Porsteinsson A, Lanctot KL, Rosenberg PB, Sultzer DL, Francis PT, Brodaty H, Padala PP, Onyike CU, Ortiz LA, Ancoli-Israel S, Bliwise DL, Martin JL, Vitiello MV, Yaffe K, Zee PC, Herrmann N, Sweet RA, Ballard C, Khin NA, Alfaro C, Murray PS, Schultz S, Lyketsos CG, Neuropsychiatric Syndromes Professional Interest Area of ISTAART. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease: past progress and anticipation of the future. Alzheimers Dement. 2013 Sep; 9 (5):602-8 Epub 2013 Apr 03 PMID: 23562430 PMCID: 3766403 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2012.12.001
- Geda YE, Roberts RO, Mielke MM, Knopman DS, Christianson TJH, Pankratz VS, Boeve BF, Sochor O, Tangalos EG, Petersen RC, Rocca WA. Baseline neuropsychiatric symptoms and the risk of incident mild cognitive impairment: A population-based study. Am J Psychiatry. 2014; 171(5):572-81. PMID: 24700290 PMCID: 4057095
- Pink A, Stokin GB, Bartley MM, Roberts RO, Sochor O, Machulda MM, Krell-Roesch J, Knopman DS, Acosta JI, Christianson TJ, Pankratz VS, Mielke MM, Petersen RC, Geda YE. Neuropsychiatric symptoms, APOE epsilon4, and the risk of incident dementia: a population-based study. Neurology. 2015 Mar 3; 84 (9):935-43 Epub 2015 Feb 04 PMID: 25653291 PMCID: 4351664 DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000001307
- Pink A, Przybelski SA, Krell-Roesch J, Stokin GB, Roberts RO, Mielke MM, Knopman DS, Jack CR, Petersen RC, Geda YE. Cortical Thickness and Depressive Symptoms in Cognitively Normal Individuals: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. J Alzheimers Dis. 2017; 58 (4):1273-1281 PMID: 28550256 PMCID: 5713905 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-170041
- Pink A, Przybelski SA, Krell-Roesch J, Stokin GB, Roberts RO, Mielke MM, Spangehl KA, Knopman DS, Jack CR Jr, Petersen RC, Geda YE. Cortical Thickness and Anxiety Symptoms Among Cognitively Normal Elderly Persons: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2017 Winter; 29 (1):60-66 Epub 2016 Aug 31 PMID: 27578447 PMCID: 5473777 DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.15100378
- Krell-Roesch J, Vassilaki M, Mielke MM, Kremers WK, Lowe VJ, Vemuri P, Machulda MM, Christianson TJ, Syrjanen JA, Stokin GB, Butler LM, Traber M, Jack CR Jr, Knopman DS, Roberts RO, Petersen RC, Geda YE. Cortical beta-amyloid burden, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and cognitive status: the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Transl Psychiatry. 2019 Mar 28; 9 (1):123 PMID: 30923322 PMCID: 6438979 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0456-z
- Arenaza-Urquijo EM, Przybelski SA, Machulda MM, Knopman DS, Lowe VJ, Mielke MM, Reddy AL, Geda YE, Jack CR Jr, Petersen RC, Vemuri P. Better stress coping associated with lower tau in amyloid-positive cognitively unimpaired older adults. Neurology. 2020 Apr 14;94(15):e1571-e1579. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008979. Epub 2020 Jan 21. PMID: 31964689; PMCID: PMC7251516.
- Krell-Roesch, J., Syrjanen, J.A., Vassilaki, M., Lowe, V.J., Vemuri, P., Mielke, M.M., Machulda, M.M., Stokin, G.B., Christianson, T.J., Kremers, W.K., Jack Jr., C.R., Knopman, D.S., Petersen, R.C., Geda, Y.E. (2020). Brain Regional Glucose Metabolism, Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, and the Risk of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2020.06.006
- Krell-Roesch, J., Syrjanen, J.A., Rakusa, M., Vemuri, P., Machulda, M.M., Kremers, W.K., Mielke, M.M., Lowe, V.J., Jack Jr., C.R., Knopman, D.S., Stokin, G.B., Petersen, R.C., Vassilaki, M. & Geda, Y.E. (2021). Association of cortical and subcortical Aβ with standardized measures of depressive and anxiety symptoms in non-demented adults. Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 33 (1), 64-71. doi: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.20050103
- Krell-Roesch, J., Syrjanen, J.A., Vassilaki, M., Lowe, V.J., Vemuri, P., Mielke, M.M., Machulda, M.M., Stokin, G.B., Christianson, T.J., Kremers, W.K., Jack Jr., C.R., Knopman, D.S., Petersen, R.C. & Geda, Y.E. (2021). Brain regional glucose metabolism, neuropsychiatric symptoms and the risk of incident mild cognitive impairment: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 29 (2), 179-191. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2020.06.006 Katz DI, Bernick C, Dodick DW, Mez J, Mariani ML, Adler CH, Alosco ML, Balcer LJ, Banks SJ, Barr WB, Brody DL, Cantu RC, Dams-O’Connor K, Geda YE, Jordan BD, McAllister TW, Peskind ER, Petersen RC, Wethe JV, Zafonte RD, Foley ÉM, Babcock DJ, Koroshetz WJ, Tripodis Y, McKee AC, Shenton ME, Cummings JL, Reiman EM, Stern RA. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome. Neurology. 2021 May 4;96(18):848-863. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011850. Epub 2021 Mar 15. PMID: 33722990; PMCID: PMC8166432.
Contributions to Science – We examined the association between caloric intake and related factors and the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
Related Publications
- Roberts RO, Roberts LA, Geda YE, Cha RH, Pankratz VS, O’Connor HM, Knopman DS, Petersen RC. Relative intake of macronutrients impacts risk of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. J Alzheimers Dis. 2012; 32 (2):329-39 PMID: 22810099 PMCID: 3494735 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2012-120862
- Geda YE, Silber TC, Roberts RO, Knopman DS, Christianson TJ, Pankratz VS, Boeve BF, Tangalos EG, Petersen RC. Computer activities, physical exercise, aging, and mild cognitive impairment: a population-based study. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 May; 87 (5):437-42 PMID: 22560523 PMCID: 3538471 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2011.12.020
- Geda YE, Ragossnig M, Roberts LA, Roberts RO, Pankratz VS, Christianson TJ, Mielke MM, Levine JA, Boeve BF, Sochor O, Tangalos EG, Knopman DS, Petersen RC. Caloric intake, aging, and mild cognitive impairment: a population-based study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2013;34(2):501-7. doi: 10.3233/JAD-121270. PMID: 23234878; PMCID: PMC3578975.
- Staubo SC, Aakre JA, Vemuri P, Syrjanen JA, Mielke MM, Geda YE, Kremers WK, Machulda MM, Knopman DS, Petersen RC, Jack CR Jr, Roberts RO. Mediterranean diet, micronutrients and macronutrients, and MRI measures of cortical thickness. Alzheimers Dement. 2017 Feb; 13 (2):168-177 Epub 2016 July 25 PMID: 27461490 PMCID: 5259552 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.2359
- Vassilaki M, Aakre JA, Syrjanen JA, Mielke MM, Geda YE, Kremers WK, Machulda MM, Alhurani RE, Staubo SC, Knopman DS, Petersen RC, Lowe VJ, Jack CR, Roberts RO. Mediterranean Diet, Its Components, and Amyloid Imaging Biomarkers. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018; 64 (1):281-290 PMID: 29889074 PMCID: 6031931 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-1711
Contact Information
Yonas E. Geda, MD, MSc
Professor of Neurology
350 West Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
Visiting Scholars
Melina Bopp
Franke International Visiting Scholar
- Janina Krell-Roesch, PhD
Institute of Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany - Anna Pink, MD
Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria - Maria Vassilaki, MD, PhD
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota - Erica Forzani, PhD
Arizona State University - Jeremy Syrjanen, MS
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota - Melina Bopp
Franke Barrow Global Graduate Student working in Geda Lab – Nov 21, 2022 – February 24, 2023)
- Geda YE, Smith GE, Knopman DS, Boeve BF, Tangalos EG, Ivnik RJ, Mrazek DA, Edland SD, Petersen RC. De novo genesis of neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Int Psychogeriatr. 2004 Mar; 16 (1):51-60 PMID: 15190996 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610204000067 – Third Place. International Psychogeriatrics.
- Krell-Roesch J and Geda YE. Association Between Mentally Stimulating Activities in Late Life and the Outcome of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment, With an Analysis of the APOE epsilon4 Genotype. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Mar 1; 74 (3):332-338 PMID: 28135351 PMCID: 5473779 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.3822 – Most-discussed Paper of the Month. JAMA Neurology, February 2017.
- Krell-Roesch and Geda YE. Association Between Mentally Stimulating Activities in Late Life and the Outcome of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment, With an Analysis of the APOE epsilon4 Genotype. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Mar 1; 74 (3):332-338 PMID: 28135351 PMCID: 5473779 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.3822. Second Most-discussed Paper of the Year. JAMA Neurology, 2017.
- Krell-Roesch J and Geda YE. Physical activity and trajectory of cognitive change in older persons: Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 79 (1), 377-388. doi: 10.3233/JAD-200959. – Paper of the Year. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2022.
- (Geda YE, Krell-Roesch J, Fisseha Y, Tefera A, Beyero T, Rosenbaum D, Szabo TG, Araya M, Hayes SC. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in a Low-Income Country in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Call for Further Research. Front Public Health. 2021 Sep 23;9:732800. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.732800. PMID: 34631649; PMCID: PMC8494766) – Certificate of Recognition for Global Health Work in Ethiopia, 2022.
Our research is funded by the following organizations: