Olivia I. Okereke, MD, MS

Affiliated with the Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine (Channing Division of Network Medicine) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Olivia Okereke focuses her research on finding modifiable health and lifestyle factors that translate to prevention of cognitive decline and depression in late-life. Much of Dr. Okereke’s work applies similar epidemiological methods that have been successful in identifying prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease, but have been largely absent from Alzheimer’s disease and depression studies. Using large, cohort databases, Dr. Okereke focuses on metabolic and modifiable lifestyle factors—such as diabetes, insulin levels, physical activity and diet—that she hypothesizes may contribute to late-life cognitive decline and depression. Her efforts centered on the epidemiology of cognitive decline and depression will ultimately help guide prevention strategies for millions of older adults.