Smart Heart Study: Cognitive Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation

Older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at elevated risk for problems with memory and other types of thinking skills.  Our recent work showed that participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improved cognitive function in older CVD patients. The Smart Heart Study looks to better understand this effect by examining cognitive function and numerous cardiac measures to determine what factors are most important. This project is being conducted through collaboration with investigators at Summa Health System in Akron, OH. 

Exercise and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Older adults that exercise are at lower risk for memory loss than those that don’t exercise. By examining biochemicals in the blood, memory abilities, and exercise performance, this project hopes to figure out how exercise protects memory.  This project is being conducted on the Kent State University campus and involves collaborators from the School of Exercise Leisure and Sport.

Cognitive Effects of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is increasingly viewed as an effective treatment for obesity.  However, our understanding of the effect of these procedures are incomplete.  This project looks to better understand the effects of bariatric surgery and the resulting weight loss on memory and other types of thinking skills.  This project is being conducted with collaborators in New York and North Dakota. 

Several smaller projects are also underway or in development, including:

• Timing mechanisms in the brain
• Diagnosis Threat
• Neuropsychological functioning and personality

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