Ongoing Projects
White matter: a target for lifestyle interventions to prevent dementia
PI: Burzynska, HDFS/MCIN
Co-PI: Michael Thomas, Psychology.MCIN
Co-PI: Kaigang Li, Health and Exercise Sciences
In this project, we will investigate white matter health as a neural mediator between physical activity/sedentariness and cognitive function in cognitively healthy adults. The study will involve collection of sensor-based measures of daily physical activity patterns, measuring of cognitive function using NIH Toolbox Cognition, and collection of advanced, multimodal MRI data (myelin water imaging, quantitative magnetization transfer ratio, and Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI)). Successful completion of this study will provide critical primary evidence for in vivo role of myelin and axons in cognitive functioning and it will identify behavioral or lifestyle risk and protective factors for white matter health.
Alzheimer’s Association Research Grant- New to the Field (AARG-NTF) program
New approach to studying white matter aging: symmetric multimodal fusion of MRI techniques targeting different biophysical properties of white matter
PI: Burzynska, Co-PIs: Thomas, Anderson
NIH/NIA R21
This project aims to establish a new neuroimaging approach for a detailed characterization of the aging white matter in living humans.
Supported by:
Translation Acceleration Program (TAP), Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University
01/2020-06/2022
MCIN PRSE Pilot Grant Program, CHHS, Colorado State University
2020-2022
Early Career Investigator Award, College of Health and Human Sciences
2018–2019
Completed Projects
Brain and Lifestyle Mechanisms of Healthy Cognitive Aging
PI: Thomas
co-PI: Burzynska
co-I: Li
The aim of this project was to relate sensor-measured estimates of daily physical activity in relation to brain structure and function in healthy aging. This project involved collection of the first MRI data at CSU!
Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging, Office of the Vice President for Research, Colorado State University
2019–2020
OLD & BOLD: A longitudinal study on benefits of elevated aerobic fitness across adulthood on cognitive and brain decline in aging
PI: Burzynska
co-I: Dr. Rudroff, Health and Exercise Sciences
This project served as a pilot in recruiting older adults, measuring physical activity, aerobic
fitness and body composition, to be combined with future MRI data.
Early Career Investigator Award, College of Health and Human Sciences
2017–2018
FAST: Fit and Active Seniors – Lifestyle Intervention Study
This randomized clinical trial included >240 participants of age 60–80, randomized into four intervention groups (Walking, Walking+Nutrition, Dance, and Active Control). MRI, cognitive, fitness, and physical activity data were collected pre- and post-intervention at the University of Illinois (PI Arthur F. Kramer, Eddie McAuley; NCT01472744 at www.nia.nig.gov). We explored relationships between neuronal markers of brain health, fitness, and cognitive performance, as well as evaluating the effects of interventions on brain health, with the focus on white matter and structure-function interactions.
Employment in Old Age and Neurocognitive Health: Enriched Environment or a Stressor?
PI: Burzynska
Consultant: Dr. Dan Ganster, College of Business
This interdisciplinary project supported our empirical (Burzynska, Ganster et al., 2020) and theoretical work (Burzynska, Jiao, Ganster, 2019) relating occupational exposures to brain aging.
Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging, Domestic Nonprofit
2017–2018
SENIOR STARTER: Developing Intergenerational Entrepreneurship
PI: Burzynska AZ
Co-PIs: Conroy SA, Long Z, Consultants: Gonzalez J, Luong G, Choi E
This interdisciplinary project (Neuroscience, Psychology, Management, Communication Studies, Education, Social Work) laid foundation for future work linking occupational exposures with brain health in aging.
PRECIP: Pre-Catalyst for Innovative Partnerships
Vice President for Research’s, Colorado State University
2016
MODERN: Brain Structure and Function in Professional Dancers
In this study, we evaluated the neural correlates of cognitive and motor benefits of professional dance training. We recruited professional dancers from the Department of Dance (UIUC) and compared their brains to age- and education-matched controls with no dancing experience. We collected MRI (structural, task functional and resting state, DTI, elastography), neuropsychological, balance, and video game data.