Amber Watts, PhD
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - PsychologyRoom 426
My research investigates health behaviors, prevention strategies, and bio-behavioral processes associated with cognitive decline & dementia. My current research projects focus on the effect of physical activity on health and cognitive function in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease in cooperation with the KU Alzheimer's Disease Center in Kansas City. My research laboratory is called the Behavioral Research in Aging, Neuroscience, Cognition, and Health (BRANCH) Lab.
Teaching
I primarily teach graduate and undergraduate courses in Clinical Neuroscience, Behavioral Genetics, Research Methods and Statistics
Teaching Interests
- Clinical neuroscience
- Behavioral Genetics
- Biological Foundations of Psychopathology
- Statistics and Research Methods
Research
Some current research projects in my lab include: 1) use of portable electronic devices to measure physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease, 2) intervention to reduce sitting time in individuals with mild cognitive impairment 3) Lifestyle Enrichment for Alzheimer's Prevention (LEAP! program) 4) expectations about aging and how they influence health behaviors and health outcomes, 5) the interaction of genotypes and physical activity on cognitive function
Research Interests
- Alzheimer's disease
- Aging
- Physical Activity
- Health
- Older Adults
- Accelerometry
- Sleep
- Sedentary Behavior
- Lifestyle Interventions
- Neighborhoods
Selected Publications
Breda, A., & Watts, A. (2017). The relationship between expectations regarding aging, physical activity, and subjective physical function in older adults. . Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. DOI:10.1177/2333721417702350
Varma, V., & Watts, A. (2017). Daily physical activity patterns during the early stage of Alzheimer’s Disease . Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 55(2), 659-667. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-160582
Vidoni, E., Watts, A., Burns, J., Black, J., Bieberle, N., Uphoff, L., Graves, R., & Van Sciver, A. (2016). Feasibility of a memory clinical based physical activity prescription program . Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. DOI:10.3233/JAD-160158
Watts, A., Walters, R., Hoffman, L., & Templin, J. (2016). Intra-individual variability of physical activity in older adults with and without mild Alzheimer’s disease. . PLoS One, 11(4), e0153898. DOI:10.1371/ journal.pone.0153898
Rhyner, K. T, & Watts, A. (2016). Exercise and depressive symptoms in older adults: A systematic meta-analytic review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 24(2), 234-246. DOI:10.1123/japa.2015-0146
Watts, A., Honea, R., Billinger, S., Hutfles, L., Vidoni, E., Rhyner, K., & Burns, J. (2015). A combined measure of vascular risk for white matter lesions. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 45, 187-193. DOI:10.3233/JAD-142085
Watts, A., Diaz Moore, K., Ferdous, F., & Burns, J. (2015). Neighborhood integration and connectivity predict cognitive decline in older adults with and without Alzheimer’s disease. Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, 1. DOI:10.1177/2333721415599141
Watts, A., Vidoni, E., Loskutova, N., Johnson, D. K., & Burns, J. (2013). Measuring physical activity in older adults with and without Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical Gerontologist, 36(4), 356-374. DOI:10.1080/07317115.2013.788116.
Watts, A., Loskutova, N., Johnson, D. K., & Burns, J. (2013). Metabolic syndrome and cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s disease and healthy older adults. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 35, 253-265. DOI:10.3233/JAD-121168
Johnson, D. K., Watts, A., Chapin, B. A., Anderson, R., & Burns, J. M. (2011). Neuropsychiatric profiles in dementia. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, 25(4), 326-332. DOI: 10.1097/WAD.0b013e31820d89bs
Burns, J. M., Johnson, D. K., Watts, A., Swerdlow, R., & Brooks, W. M. (2010). Reduced lean mass in early Alzheimer disease and its association with brain atrophy. Archives of Neurology, 67(4), 428-433.
Watts, A., Crimmins, E. M., & Gatz, M. (2008). Inflammation as a potential mediator for the association between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 4(5), 865-876.
Selected Grants
Watts, Amber, (Co-Principal), Moncada, Jose, (Co-Principal), Physical fitness and neurocognitive performance in older adults in Kansas and Costa Rica, Office of International Programs, $25,000, (06/01/2014 . University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded.
Gardiner, Paul, (Principal), Lautenschlager, Nicola, (Co-Investigator), Rosenberg, Dori, (Co-Investigator), Lewis, L, (Co-Investigator), Watts, Amber, (Co-Investigator), Anstey, Kaarin, (Co-Investigator), A randomised controlled trial of reducing prolonged sitting to improve cognitive function in insufficiently active frail older adults, Dementia Collaborative Research Centres (Australia), $200,000, (01/01/2016 - 12/31/2018) . Other. Status: Funded.
Watts, Amber, (Principal), Thyfault, John, (Co-Principal), Befort, Christie, (Co-Principal), Intervention to Reduce Sitting Time in Mild Cognitive Impairment (ReST-MCI)., Univ of KS Med Ctr Research Institute and National Institutes of Health, $20,000, (09/15/2016 - 06/30/2017) . Federal. Status: Funded.
Watts, Amber, (Principal), The effects of sedentary behavior and metabolic syndrome on cognitive performance, NIH Loan Repayment Program, (01/01/2013 - 12/31/2015) . Federal. Status: Funded.
Watts, A., (Principal), Neighborhood Characteristics, Walking, and Sedentary Behavior in AD, KU- Alzheimer’s Disease Center Pilot Award, $30,000, (01/01/2013 - 12/31/2014) . University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded.
Diaz-Moore, Keith, (Co-Principal), Watts, Amber, (Co-Principal), Resilient Lifestyles for Older Adults, Strategic Initiatives Award, $50,000, (01/01/2012 - 12/31/2014) . University (KU or KUMC). Status: Funded.
Watts, Amber, (Principal), Measuring unstructured physical activity in older adults with and without Alzheimer’s disease, NCATS #UL1TR000001; NCRR #UL1RR033179, Frontiers Pilot and Collaborative Studies, Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA), $30,000, (01/01/2012 - 12/31/2013) . Federal. Status: Funded.
Watts, A., (Principal), The Role of Physical Activity in Cognitive Decline and Dementia, Clinical Loan Repayment Award, NIH Loan Repayment Program, (01/01/2010 - 12/31/2012) . Federal. Status: Funded.
