In terms of my research background, I have a life-course developmental orientation, a background in gerontology and cognitive aging, developmental psychology, prevention science, and public mental health, and postdoctoral training in cognitive neuropsychology, epidemiology, and biostatistics. My research skills include extensive knowledge of aging and developmental theory and research, clinical experimental trial design, quantitative analyses of longitudinal data, and an ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and research centers. Since joining the Hopkins faculty in 1989, I have pursued research in two interrelated areas: 1) the design and implementation of preventive trials targeted at childhood antecedents of adolescent and adult psychopathology, including depression, early achievement problems, and poor concentration, and 2) the neurocognitive predictors of functional abilities and decline in demented and nondemented older adults and their modifiability through interactive cognitive interventions. These two research streams converge around a common focus on attentional and cognitive parameters of maladaptive behavior, plasticity of functioning, perceived competence or self-efficacy as a variable linking physiological, psychological, and social function, and short- and long-term outcomes of preventive intervention and treatment.

My research objectives include continuation and expansion of my research on: 1) pre-preventive identification of early risk antecedents and protective influences on later life cognitive health and functional decline; 2) the prevention of age-associated cognitive and functional losses, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, depression, and disability; and 3) the study of long-term outcomes of cognitive intervention trials with both well and minimally-to-severely impaired elderly. With regard to Area 1, my previous research on normal aging and dementia has highlighted the central importance of memory problems, poor attention, and slowed information processing speed as early risk factors for later life functional problems and decline. This work has included the study of functional activities related to cognitively based activities of daily living such as driving, medication usage, financial management, and meal preparation. I plan to continue this line of research trying to more precisely delineate the nature, evolving course, and potential identification and modifiability of selected neuro-cognitive risk factors for poor cognitive health and functional decline, with a particular focus on loss of driving skills and mobility.

With regard to Area 2, preventive interventions, I plan to continue the psychoeducational interventions on memory, cognition, and cognitively based daily functioning that I have been using in the ACTIVE clinical trial and other training studies with at-risk elderly and expand them to include other intervention formats either alone or in combination with psychoeducational interventions. Specifically, these would include multimodal interventions involving physical activity and exercise (both aerobic, nonaerobic, and combined aerobic/nonaerobic activity), pharmacologic agents (potentially including vitamin supplements, NSAIDS), and community-based interventions involving cross-generational tutoring and mentoring using the Experience Corps model. Along these same lines, I plan to explore the use of using various formats for intervention and service delivery including multimedia interactive CD-ROM technology for cognitive training and internet, web-based technology for promotion of cognitive health care information and preventive health practice for the elderly.

Finally, with regard to Area 3, long-term outcomes, there is very little in the gerontological and geriatric literature on the long term maintenance of intervention effects for preventing subsequent psychopathology and decline in the aged. The effects of most of the intervention studies have been short-lived and highly target-specific with little generalization to non-trained tasks. In the ACTIVE study, I will examine 10-year follow-up data on maintenance effects of training on proximal cognitive targets and on everyday functional skills. Along with the other PIs, I have a unique opportunity with additional funding to follow this cohort (N = 2,832) for an additional 60 months to characterize developmental course, cohort-related effects, and subgroup variation on outcomes, including outcomes related to quality of life, disability, institutionalization, hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. As part of this effort, I will examine dosage effects of the various interventions and the effects of additional booster or refresher training on intervention effect maintenance. Modeling these longer term outcomes should also help us better understand individual, genetic, and environmental factors that predict responsiveness or nonresponsiveness to cognitive intervention in the elderly.

"Mental Health", Mental Hygiene, Life-span developmental psychology, gerontology, prevention research, cognitive neuropsychology, cognitive training and intervention, cognitive aging and health, dementia

6/04 Fellow, American Psychological Society

5/04 Delta Omega, Alpha Chapter, Johns Hopkins University

8/93 Fellow, Division 20, American Psychological Association

1/92 Fellow, Gerontological Society of America

8/87 National Research Service Award, The Johns Hopkins University

8/74 NICHD Predoctoral Fellow, Syracuse University

5/72 Phi Beta Kappa, Muhlenberg College

Baker, S.P., Qiang, Y., Rebok, G.W., & Li, G. (2008). Pilot error in air carrier mishaps: Longitudinal trends among 558 reports, 1983-2002. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 79, 2-6.

Zandi, P.P., & Rebok, G.W. (2007). Introduction to the special issue on psychiatric prevention. International Review of Psychiatry, 19, 593-595.

Rebok, G.W., Carlson, M.C., & Langbaum, J.B.S. (2007). Training and maintaining memory abilities in healthy older adults: Traditional and novel approaches. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, Spec No.1, 53-61.

Rebok, G.W., Qiang, Y., Baker, S.P., & Li, G. (2007). Age-related vision problems in commuter and air taxi pilots: A study of 3019 pilots, 1987-1997. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 78, 706-711.

Kozauer, N.A., Mielke, M.M., Chan, G.K.C., Rebok, G.W., & Lyketsos, C.G. (2007). Apolipoprotein E genotype and lifetime cognitive decline. International Psychogeriatrics, 1-15 [Epub ahead of print]. .

Yen, Y-C., Rebok, G.W., Yang, M.J., & Lung, F.W. (2007). A multilevel analysis of the influence of Apolipoprotein E genotypes on depressive symptoms in late-life moderated by the environment. Progress in Neuropsycho- pharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. (Epub ahead of print).

Yen, Y-C., Rebok, G.W., Gallo. J.J., Yang, M.J., Lung, F.W., & Shih, C.H. (2007). APOE4 allele is associated with late-life depression: A population-based study. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 858-868..

Unverzagt, F., Kasten, L., Johnson, K.E., Rebok, G.W., Marsiske, M., Koepke, K.M., Elias, J.W., Morris, J.N., Willis, S.L., Ball, K., Rexroth, D.F., Smith, D.M., Wolinsky, F.D., & Tennstedt, S.L. (2007). Effect of memory impairment on training outcomes in ACTIVE. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 13, 953-960.

Li, G., Baker, S.P., Qiang, Y., & Rebok, G.W. (2007). Alcohol violations and aviation accidents: Findings from the U.S. mandatory alcohol testing program. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 78, 510-513.

Saczynski, J.S., Rebok, G.W., Whitfield, K.E., & Plude, D.L. (2007). Spontaneous production and use of mnemonic strategies in older adults. Experimental Aging Research, 33, 273-294.

Morrell, R.W., Rager, R., Harley, J.P., Herrmann, D.J., Rebok, G.W., & Parenté, R. (2006). Developing an online intervention for memory improvement: The Sharper Memory Project. Cognitive Technology, 11, 34-46.

Willis, S.L., Tennstedt, S.L., Marsiske, M., Ball, K., Elias, J., Koepke, K.M., Morris, J.N., Rebok, G.W., Unverzagt, F.W., Stoddard, A.M., , & Wright, E. (2006). Long-term effects of cognitive training on everyday functional outcomes in older adults. JAMA, 296, 2805-2814.

Studenski, S., Carlson, M.C., Fillit, H., Greenough, W.T., Kramer, A., & Rebok, G.W. (2006). From bedside to bench: Does mental and physical activity promote cognitive vitality in late life? Science Aging Knowledge Environment, 10, pe21.

Li, G., Grabowski, J.G., Baker, S.P., & Rebok, G.W. (2006). Pilot error in age carrier accidents: Does age matter? Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 77, 737-741.

Rebok, G.W., Qiang, Y., Baker, S.P., McCarthy, M.L., & Li, G. (2005). Age, flight experience, and violation risk in older pilots. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 15, 363-374.

Qiang, Y., Li, G., Rebok, G.W., & Baker, S.P. (2005). Body mass index and cardiovascular disease in a birth cohort of commuter air carriers and air taxi pilots. Annals of Epidemiology, 15, 247-252.

Jones, R.N., Rosenberg, A.L., Morris, J.N., Allaire, J.C., McCoy, K.J.M., Marsiske, M., Kleinman, K.P., Rebok, G.W., & Malloy, P.F. (2005). A growth curve model of learning acquisition among cognitively normal older adults. Experimental Aging Research, 31, 291-312.

Holtzman, R.E., Rebok, G.W., Saczynski, J.S., Kouzis, A.C., Doyle, K.W., & Eaton, W.W. (2004). Social network characteristics and cognition in middle-aged and older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 59B, P278-P284.

Rebok, G.W., Carlson, M., Glass, T.A., McGill, S., Hill, J., Wasik, B., Ialongo, N., Frick, K.D., Fried, L.P., & Rasmussen, M. (2004). Short-term impact of Experience Corps® participation on children and schools: Results from a pilot randomized trial. Journal of Urban Health, 81, 79-93.

Fried, L.P., Carlson, M., Freedman, M., Frick, K.D., Glass, T.A., Hill, J., McGill, S., Rebok, G., Seeman, T., Tielsch, J., Wasik, B., & Zeger, S. (2004). A social model for health promotion for an aging population: Initial evidence on the Experience Corps® model. Journal of Urban Health, 81, 64-78.