Okonkwo Laboratory

Modifiable and non-modifiable factors linked to cognitive resilience in Alzheimer's disease

Researching Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors Linked to Cognitive Resilience in Alzheimer’s Disease

What do we do?

Our lab focuses on clarifying how alterations in the brain and other biomolecules (such as cerebrospinal fluid β-amyloid) place some cognitively-normal individuals on a pernicious trajectory that culminates in Alzheimer’s dementia. In this context, we are particularly interested in discovering new knowledge concerning the modulation of the link between brain changes and cognitive decline by both modifiable (e.g., cognitively-stimulating activities, physical exercise) and non-modifiable (e.g., genetic vulnerability) factors. Overlaid on this research agenda are investigations of health accessibility, and how such accessibility exacerbates or ameliorates the impact of biomarkers on clinical phenotypes.

We use many techniques in our research, including but not limited to:

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MRI and PET Imaging

GE MR750 3T scanner for structural and functional brain imaging.
Siemens ECAT EXACT HR+ PET scanner, with the operational model pictured in the forefront and a second HR+ gantry used for educational purposes pictured in the background.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection

A lumbar puncture procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid.

Maximal Exercise Testing

Maximal exercise testing measures VO2, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, ventilation, and other variables needed to determine one’s cardiorespiratory fitness.
Variables of interest during a maximal exercise test.

Blood-based Biomarkers

Quanterix HD-X machine
Quanterix HD-X for analysis of biospecimens. Questions can be directed to: adrcbiomarker@medicine.wisc.edu  Photo credit: Clint Thayer.

Physical Activity Monitoring

A visual representation of an individual’s physical activity levels over 10 days, captured with an Actigraph accelerometer worn around the waist.

Cognitive Testing

Administering one of many cognitive tests that comprise our neuropsychological testing battery.

We are a part of the larger Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program, which includes both the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute.

Our offices are located on UW Madison’s campus within the UW Hospital and WARF. The majority of our research is conducted at the UW Hospital, the Waisman Center, the Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research, and the YMCA.

News Highlights

  • Isabella Hoang Accepted into Graduate School

    Isabella Hoang was accepted into 4 graduate programs, and she has decided to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where she will pursue her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics! Congratulations, Isabella – …

    April 15, 2025

  • Abstracts Accepted for Poster Presentation at AAIC 2025

    The Okonkwo Lab has 2 lab members whose abstracts were accepted for poster presentation at AAIC 2025 in Toronto, Canada: Isabella Hoang: The Impact of Language Mismatch on Mini Mental State Examination Scores is Moderated …

    April 9, 2025

  • Welcome Mae McCarty

    The Okonkwo Lab is excited to welcome another member to our team: Mae McCarty is the CLARiTI Access Core Program Manager. Mae holds a Master of Public Health degree and has spent the past nine …

    April 9, 2025

  • Gabriella Mamlouk’s Manuscript Accepted for Pulication

    Gabriella Mamlouk’s manuscript “Sex modifies the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin resistance in adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease” has been accepted for publication in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. Congratulations, Gabby!

    April 8, 2025
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