Research Profiles

Mobility and Aging: The Brain-Body Connection

Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., is an expert on aging who studies how diseases and aging affect cognitive ability and mobility in older adults. He has shown that older people who engage in brain-stimulating activities can reduce their risk of developing Alzheimers and other types of dementia. He has also done pioneering research showing that disturbance in gait precedes and is associated with cognitive decline. His work has identi?ed simple behavioral interventions, such as training in treadmill walking, that can improve gait in frail older adults. Dr. Verghese is professor and director of the division of cognitive and motor aging in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, a professor of medicine (geriatrics) and division chief of geriatrics, the Murray D. Gross Memorial Faculty Scholar in Gerontology, and director of the Jack and Pearl Resnick Gerontology Center.