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 also 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 inequities, and how such inequities exacerbate or ameliorate 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

  • Ozioma Okonkwo’s Editorial Published

    Dr. Ozioma Okonkwo recently published Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative: Two decades of pioneering Alzheimer’s disease research and future directions in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. It is the editorial for the ADNI 20th Anniversary Special Issue, co-edited by …

    January 9, 2025

  • Chinenye Odo’s Manuscript Accepted for Publication

    Dr. Chinenye Odo’s manuscript “Cardiovascular rate pressure product is associated with NfL in older adults at risk for AD” has been accepted for publication in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. Congratulations, Chinenye!

    January 7, 2025

  • Ikenna Odoh Passes First Stage of UW Medical License Examination

    Ikenna Odoh passed the first stage of the US Medical License Examination this month! Congratulations on this accomplishment – we are so proud!

    December 18, 2024

  • Sara Fernandes-Taylor Awarded Professional Development Grant

    Dr. Sara Fernandes-Taylor was awarded a UW-Madison Academic Staff Professional Development Grant totaling $1,200 to enable her attendance to AD/PD 2025! Congratulations, Sara!

    December 12, 2024
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