Kristine Yaffe, MD is Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Epidemiology & Biostatistics at UCSF, Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry and Director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. Dr. Yaffe is trained in both neurology and psychiatry. In both her research and in her clinical work, she has directed her efforts towards preventing dementia and improving the care of patients with cognitive disorders and other geriatric neuropsychiatric conditions. 415-221-4810 x398 kristine.yaffe@ucsf.edu

Memory Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease Research Program

Over 33% of women and 20% of men over 65 years old develop dementia and many more develop a milder form of cognitive impairment. With the older segment of the population in the United States and other countries increasing, cognitive impairment and dementia will become even more common in the next few decades. The development of preventative strategies to reduce or delay onset of cognitive impairment is critical. Dr. Yaffe’s main research goals are to understand the mechanisms that cause cognitive decline and to find ways to treat and prevent cognitive disorders. Her work focuses on:

• Hormone Therapy. One theory of why women have a higher rate of Alzheimer's Disease compared to men is that the marked decline in sex hormone levels in older women promotes dementia. Basic science studies also suggest that estrogen has beneficial effects on the brain. Our group is actively researching the role of estrogen and the new selective estrogen receptor modulators to prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease.
  
• Depression and Behavioral Disturbances. Many people with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias have behavioral problems such as hallucinations, agitation and depression. We are studying ways to treat these symptoms (both pharmacologically and behaviorally) and trying to understand why they often lead to poor outcomes.
  
• Physical and Intellectual Activity. There is tremendous excitement about the potential for physical and intellectual activity to help prevent dementia. Dr. Yaffe and colleagues are studying whether staying active, either physically or mentally, is a strategy to prevent cognitive decline.
  
• Diabetes and other Cardiovascular Risk Factors. Memory loss is very common among women with diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia. We are investigating how diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors may contribute to accelerated cognitive aging.
  
• Sleep and Cognition. Both sleep disorders and cognitive disorders are common in the elderly, especially among older women. We are studying how these two conditions may be linked. Such findings may lead to strategies to improve quality of life and prevent cognitive impairment.