Dr. Deborah Barnes, PhD, MPH is a Professor of Psychiatry and Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco and a Research Health Science Specialist at the San Francisco VA. Her research focuses on identifying modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia; developing prediction models to identify high-risk people and predict the impact of risk reduction strategies; and testing interventions to reduce risk and slow progression of symptoms.

Nearly 6 million people in the U.S. and 50 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. These numbers are expected to more than double by 2050. Current medications do not cure the disease, but there are lifestyle changes that can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. This lecture will describe recent research on the most effective strategies for reducing Alzheimer’s risk and slowing progression of symptoms.