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Amber Watts

Amber Watts

Assistant Professor
Clinical Psychology

Ph.D., 2009, University of Southern California
Research Areas: Clinical Health Psychology, Aging & Alzheimer's disease

amberwatts@ku.edu
CV

Related Links
Clinical Psychology Program
Clinical Health Psychology

Research Interests

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. My lab uses portable electronic devices to measure physical activity and sedentary behavior in cooperation with the KU Alzheimer's Disease Center in Kansas City.

Teaching

PSYC 380: Brain & Pathology
PSYC 432: Behavioral Genetics
PSYC 690: Health & Aging
PSYC 815: Developmental Research Methods
CRMDA Summer Institute: Randomized Controlled Trials

Selected Publications

Watts, A., Vidoni, E., Loskutova, N., Johnson, D. K., & Burns, J. (in press). Measuring physical activity in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease. Clinical Gerontologist.

Johnson, D. K., Watts, A., Chapin, B. A., Anderson, R., & Burns, J. M. (2011). Neuropsychiatric profiles in dementia. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders.

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.

Zelinski, E. M., Kennison, R., F., Watts, A., & Lewis, K. L. (2009). Convergence between cross- sectional and longitudinal studies: Cohort matters. In H. B. Bosworth & C. Hertzog (Eds.), Aging and cognition: Research methodologies and empirical advances. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

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.

Watts, A. S., & Crimmins, E. M. (2008). Populations at special health risk: The elderly. In K. Heggenhougen & S. Quah (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Public Health, Volume 5 (pp. 254-260). San Diego: Academic Press.

Grant Funded Research Projects

2012-2013
A. Watts (PI)
Measuring unstructured physical activity in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease
Frontiers Pilot and Collaborative Studies
Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA)
University of Kansas Medical Center
2012-2014
K. Diaz-Moore & A. Watts (Co-PIs)
Resilient Lifestyles for Older Adults
Strategic Initiatives Grant
University of Kansas
2010-2012
A. Watts (PI)
The Role of Physical Activity in Cognitive Decline and Dementia
Clinical Loan Repayment Award
NIH Loan Repayment Program
2006-2007
M. Gatz (PI)
A. Watts Investigator
Predicting Dementia Risk in Elderly Twins from Indicators of Early Life Infection
NIA Pilot, P30 AG-017265, Center for Biodemography & Population Health
University of Southern California /University of California Los Angeles
2005-2008
Pre-doctoral Fellowship
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (T32)


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