Deborah Barnes Email & Phone Number

San Francisco, Ca, Us

I am an epidemiologist with broad expertise in research methodology related to factors that may protect against the development or progression of cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults. My research focuses on: 1) identifying modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults; 2) developing risk prediction models to identify high-risk individuals and to forecast the potential impact of risk reduction strategies; and 3) developing and testing interventions to delay onset and slow progression of symptoms. I have co-authored more than 115 peer-reviewed publications, including many in high-impact journals such as JAMA and Lancet Neurology. I have received independent research support from a wide range of funders including the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the Alzheimer’s Association. I have been PI of community-based observational studies to identify risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults, including studies within Kaiser and the VA, and have also led community-based clinical trials to enhance cognitive and physical function in older adults with cognitive complaints, mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

I was promoted to Associate Professor at UCSF in 2011. I continued my work on development of dementia risk prediction models, including participation in a workgroup convened by the National Institute on Aging to develop a Brief Dementia Screening Indicator tool for use in primary care settings. In addition, I published a high-impact study in Lancet Neurology in which we estimated that up to one-third of Alzheimer's disease cases worldwide may be attributable to 7 potentially modifiable risk factors--physical inactivity, low education, smoking, depression, diabetes, mid-life hypertension and mid-life obesity. This study continues to inform public health policy related to dementia risk reduction globally. I also received funding as Principal Investigator from the Department of Defense to study dementia risk factors in older veterans as well as a private donor to develop and pilot-test a novel integrative exercise program called Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ), which is designed to help individuals with dementia maintain functional independence.

As an Assistant Professor, my research focused primarily on identification of risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults, particularly potentially modifiable risk factors such as physical and mental activity. I received funding as Principal Investigator from the National Institutes of Health, the Alzheimer's Association and NARSAD to perform both observational studies and randomized, controlled trials related to dementia prevention. I also developed the first late-life dementia risk prediction index, which was designed to help identify older adults with an increased risk of dementia so that they could be targeted for intervention and prevention efforts. These projects resulted in more than 20 peer-reviewed academic research articles.

San Francisco, California, United States

San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco, California, United States

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Human Biology

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Epidemiology

Master Of Public Health (Mph), Epidemiology & Biostatistics

Certificate, Science Writing

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Human Biology

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Human Biology