JosÉ A. Luchsinger, MD MPH

José A. Luchsinger, MD MPH Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons 630 West 168th Street New York, New York 10032 Phone: 1 212 305 4730 Emai: jal94@columbia.edu

Associate Professor of Medicine & Associate Professor of Epidemiology (in the Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center and the Taub Institute at NYPH/CUMC)

Biographical Sketch

I received my medical degree from Luis Razetti School of Medicine at the Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas in 1991.  I completed a residency program in internal medicine at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City from 1993 to 1996 and stayed as chief resident from 1996 to 1997. I completed a research fellowship in general internal medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center from 1997 to 1999 which included a master’s degree in epidemiology from the Joseph P. Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. I have worked at Columbia University Medical Center since 1999 as a clinician, researcher, and teacher.

 

Research Summary

My research has focused on the relationship between vascular risk factors and cognitive disorders, primarily Alzheimer’s disease and vascular cognitive impairment. The main finding from my research has been that the continuum of elevated adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, and type 2 diabetes are associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular cognitive impairment. Thus, most of my research focuses in this area. I hold 3 grants from NIH as a principal investigator. One studies the relation of vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular disease with Alzheimer’s disease in a cohort in New York City. Another is a cognitive ancillary study to a type 2 diabetes trial studying the effect of diabetes treatment on memory impairment- this study was begun with the generous support of the Fidelity Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association.  Another is a pilot trial of metformin in persons with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, also supported by the Institute for the Study of Aging. I also have funding from the American Diabetes Association to conduct an ancillary study of cognition in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study, a landmark study of type 2 diabetes prevention, in collaboration with Jaakko Tuomilehto (PI of the FDPS) and Miia Kivipelto. I am currently collaborating with investigators in the US-based Diabetes Prevention Program, a landmark trial of type 2 diabetes prevention, to assess cognition as part of their ongoing outcomes epidemiologic study, the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study.

In addition to funding from NIH (NIA, NCMHD), the Fidelity foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Institute for the Study of Aging, and the American Diabetes Association, I have been fortunate to receive support from the New York Academy of Medicine (New York City Speaker’s fund for Public Health Research) and from the Florence and Herbert Irving Clinical Research Scholar’s Program.

The continuum of elevated adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, and type 2 diabetes affects over half of US adults. With increasing survival and aging of our population, its effects on cognition, physical function, and mood are expected to be increasingly important. The only solution to the public health and economic burden of an aging population is to prevent mental and physical disability and maintain function and productivity for as long as possible in older years. Thus, I have decided to focus on the prevention of disability resulting from elevated adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, and type 2 diabetes by studying them in epidemiologic studies and clinical trials. I am also seeking support to conduct laboratory research in the future to understand these problems.