Overview

Degenerative dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease brew beneath the surface prior to the ultimate onset and progression of symptoms. We now know that modifiable lifestyle and sensory factors can be harnessed to significantly reduce dementia risk (Livingston et al., 2024). Our program of research focuses primarily on dementia risk reduction, early detection, and intervention. Our multidisciplinary team is committed to the discovery and validation of modifiable lifestyle/sensory factors and interventions that can reduce dementia risk and potentially delay or prevent disease onset among older adults

Interested in volunteering in our research?
Please call (352) 405-0342 for more information.

Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT)

Volunteers needed for the PACT research study to see if computerized training exercises reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Study participation takes about three years and includes 3 study visits of up to 2 hours each. You will also complete 45 hours of computerized training exercises. Compensation available. You may qualify if you:

• Are 65 years of age or older
• Do not have any neurological disorders
• Have not had a stroke or brain injury
• Do not have mild cognitive impairment or dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease

Please contact the PACT study location nearest you for more information:

Hillsborough County
(352) 405-0342

Polk County
(863) 800-0835

Pinellas County
(727) 873-4090

Sarasota
(941) 500-4447

Selected Publications

Nicholson, J.S., Hudak, E.M., Phillips, C.B., Chanti-Ketterl, M., O’Brien, J.L., Ross, L.A.,Lister, J.J., Burke, J.R., Potter, G., Plassman, B.L., Woods, A.J., Krischer, J., & Edwards, J.D. (2022). The Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) Randomized Controlled Trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 123, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2022.106978

Bell, K., Lister, J.J., O’Brien, J.L., Harrison Bush, A.L., & Edwards, J.D. (2021). Cognitive event-related potentials differentiate older adults with and without probable mild cognitive impairment. Experimental Aging Research, 47(2), 145-164, https://doi.org/10.1080/0361073X.2020.1861838

O'Brien, J. L., Lister, J. J., Fausto, B. A., Morgan, D. G., Maeda, H., Andel, R., & Edwards, J. D. (2021). Are auditory processing and cognitive performance assessments overlapping or distinct? Parsing the auditory behaviour of older adults. International journal of audiology, 60(2), 123–132. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2020.1791366

Buján Mera, A., Lister, J.J., O’Brien, J.L., & Edwards, J.D. (2020). Cortical auditory evoked potentials in mild cognitive impairment: Evidence from a temporal-spatial principal component analysis. Psychophysiology, 56(2), e13466.  https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.13466

Lister, J.J., Harrison Bush, A.L., & O’Brien, J.L. (2019). Recognizing Cognitive Impairment During Hearing Care. ASHA Leader, 20 - 23. doi: https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.AEA.24072019.20

O'Brien, J.L., Edwards, J.D., Maxfield, N.D., *Peronto, C.L., Williams, V.A. & Lister, J.J. (2013). Cognitive training and selective attention in the aging brain: An electrophysiological study. Clinical Neurophysiology, 124: 2198-2208. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2013.05.012.