Prevention and Risk Evaluation for Vascular Health, Alzheimer's Risk, Intervention, and Lifestyle
What is PREVAIL?
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The PREVAIL Lab is a collaborative group of researchers led by Principal Investigators Dr. Whitney Wharton, PhD and Dr. Brittany Butts, PhD at the Emory University School of Nursing. Our research is focused on risk reduction and improving health outcomes for diverse populations. Our research team focuses on investigating the relationships between cardiovascular health, cognitive function, immune function, and Alzheimer's disease risk factors during middle age, with particular emphasis on the impacts of sex hormones and social determinants of health. Additionally, we study the unique vascular and brain health challenges faced by veterans, including environmental exposures, traumatic brain injury, and chronic stress, while also fostering inclusive research opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community. |
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PREVAIL Lab Research Studies
Ongoing studies include:
Click on the images below to learn more about each study.
- E2: This two year observational study looks to determine the relationship between blood and brain sex hormones and Alzheimer's disease risk factors during middle age.
- CARDI: This observational study looks to determine the relationship between cardiovascular disease, cognition, immune function, and Alzheimer's disease risk factors during middle age.
- MVP: This two-year observational study looks to determine the relationship between cardiovascular disease, cognition, and Alzheimer's disease risk factors during middle age.
- ACE: The main purpose of ACE is to determine if taking Equol, a plant based supplement, could slow the progression of stiffening of the arteries, small blood vessel disease in the brain and memory decline.
- Veterans PREVAIL: This research focuses on heightened vascular and brain health risk factors faced by veterans, such as environmental exposures, traumatic brain injury, chronic stress, and cardiovascular issues.
Click on the images below to learn more about each study.
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The PREVAIL Team
Principal Investigators:
Dr. Whitney Wharton, PhD is a cognitive neuroscientist specializing in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related disorders. She conducts both observational and clinical trials, all of which enroll participants from underserved groups, including women, Black/African American individuals, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Dr. Wharton is currently conducting multiple NIH/NIA funded studies including 1) investigating the influence of sex hormones in CSF and blood on AD and inflammatory biomarkers, peripheral arterial function, sleep and cognition 2) investigating the extent to which antihypertensive medications may alter AD neuropathology in African Americans 3) a national study designed to improve aging related resources and ensure research inclusivity among LGBTQIA+ individuals with ADRD and LGBTQIA caregivers. 4) and a multi-center trial of a dietary supplement unique to the Japanese diet (equol) in older adults without dementia. This trial tests the hypotheses that equol will slow the progression of arterial stiffness, white matter lesions, and cognitive decline.
Dr. Brittany Butts, PhD is an Assistant Professor whose research focuses on pathophysiologic mechanisms in cardiovascular disease to target biobehavioral interventions for improved patient outcomes, including brain and cardiovascular health. Her expertise includes the cardiovascular inflammatory response, biobehavioral risk factors, and symptoms in hypertension and heart failure. She conducted pioneering studies on the inflammasome in heart failure and its biobehavioral modulation in cardiovascular disease. Additionally, she has examined the role of chymase in RAAS activation and its link to Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, as well as oxidative stress as a measure of endothelial dysfunction related to vascular Alzheimer’s disease risk. Overall, her work aims to identify physiologic markers of intervention effectiveness for clinically meaningful improvements.
Study Team:
Danielle D. Verble, MA, Associate Director of Research Projects. Danielle joined Emory as a Clinical Research Coordinator in March 2016 following Research Recruiter and Coordinator positions with the University of Pittsburgh, a pharmaceutical contract research organization (CRO) and University of Central Florida. Danielle received her B.A. in Psychology from Stetson University and M.A. in Mental Health Counseling with the University of Central Florida. Her research background includes the HHS funded Supporting Healthy Marriage project, NIMH funded Pittsburgh Girls Study, and numerous Phase One pharmaceutical studies.
Enid Swatson, MPH, Clinical Research Coordinator II. Enid is a Clinical Research Coordinator II working on the MVP, CARDI, and E2 studies. Enid completed a Master of Public Health degree at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, focusing on Sexual Reproductive Health and Population studies. Prior to working with Dr. Butts, she was a graduate research assistant at the Rollins Global Health Department examining the associations between neurodevelopment and cardiovascular health in children and young adults.
Chloe Park, Clinical Research Coordinator I. Chloe graduated from a BA in public health studies from Vanderbilt University and is interested in working with underserved populations to improve their access to health treatments and resources. She has a wide variety of experiences, ranging from working in the hospital to serving abroad in developing countries; along with her experience working in the Wharton Lab, she hopes to draw from these backgrounds in her journey to become a physician.
Jordan Watson, Clinical Research Coordinator I. Jordan is a recent Emory University graduate working as a Clinical Research Coordinator I. Jordan earned both a Bachelor's of Science degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and a Bachelor's of Arts degree in African American Studies, graduating with Highest Honors. Her academic interest lies in increasing diversity and representation in clinical trials as a means of addressing inequities In health. She is passionate in her pursuit to understand how neurodegenerative diseases disproportionately affect minority populations and how access to healthcare can be improved in underserved communities
Students:
Ali Tfaily, PhD Program, Emory University Laney Graduate School.
Arin Watson, Anthropology and Human Biology, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Ashley Yeung, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Brian Kim, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Gracelyn Mai, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences.
Hayden Herring, PhD Program, Emory University Laney Graduate School.
Julia Kamara, Biology, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Maxim Mukherjee, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Saharla Mohamoud, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
Shianne Daniels, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, Emory University School of Nursing.
Shuyang He, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences.
Sofie Ragins, Chemistry, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Dr. Whitney Wharton, PhD is a cognitive neuroscientist specializing in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related disorders. She conducts both observational and clinical trials, all of which enroll participants from underserved groups, including women, Black/African American individuals, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Dr. Wharton is currently conducting multiple NIH/NIA funded studies including 1) investigating the influence of sex hormones in CSF and blood on AD and inflammatory biomarkers, peripheral arterial function, sleep and cognition 2) investigating the extent to which antihypertensive medications may alter AD neuropathology in African Americans 3) a national study designed to improve aging related resources and ensure research inclusivity among LGBTQIA+ individuals with ADRD and LGBTQIA caregivers. 4) and a multi-center trial of a dietary supplement unique to the Japanese diet (equol) in older adults without dementia. This trial tests the hypotheses that equol will slow the progression of arterial stiffness, white matter lesions, and cognitive decline.
Dr. Brittany Butts, PhD is an Assistant Professor whose research focuses on pathophysiologic mechanisms in cardiovascular disease to target biobehavioral interventions for improved patient outcomes, including brain and cardiovascular health. Her expertise includes the cardiovascular inflammatory response, biobehavioral risk factors, and symptoms in hypertension and heart failure. She conducted pioneering studies on the inflammasome in heart failure and its biobehavioral modulation in cardiovascular disease. Additionally, she has examined the role of chymase in RAAS activation and its link to Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease, as well as oxidative stress as a measure of endothelial dysfunction related to vascular Alzheimer’s disease risk. Overall, her work aims to identify physiologic markers of intervention effectiveness for clinically meaningful improvements.
Study Team:
Danielle D. Verble, MA, Associate Director of Research Projects. Danielle joined Emory as a Clinical Research Coordinator in March 2016 following Research Recruiter and Coordinator positions with the University of Pittsburgh, a pharmaceutical contract research organization (CRO) and University of Central Florida. Danielle received her B.A. in Psychology from Stetson University and M.A. in Mental Health Counseling with the University of Central Florida. Her research background includes the HHS funded Supporting Healthy Marriage project, NIMH funded Pittsburgh Girls Study, and numerous Phase One pharmaceutical studies.
Enid Swatson, MPH, Clinical Research Coordinator II. Enid is a Clinical Research Coordinator II working on the MVP, CARDI, and E2 studies. Enid completed a Master of Public Health degree at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, focusing on Sexual Reproductive Health and Population studies. Prior to working with Dr. Butts, she was a graduate research assistant at the Rollins Global Health Department examining the associations between neurodevelopment and cardiovascular health in children and young adults.
Chloe Park, Clinical Research Coordinator I. Chloe graduated from a BA in public health studies from Vanderbilt University and is interested in working with underserved populations to improve their access to health treatments and resources. She has a wide variety of experiences, ranging from working in the hospital to serving abroad in developing countries; along with her experience working in the Wharton Lab, she hopes to draw from these backgrounds in her journey to become a physician.
Jordan Watson, Clinical Research Coordinator I. Jordan is a recent Emory University graduate working as a Clinical Research Coordinator I. Jordan earned both a Bachelor's of Science degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and a Bachelor's of Arts degree in African American Studies, graduating with Highest Honors. Her academic interest lies in increasing diversity and representation in clinical trials as a means of addressing inequities In health. She is passionate in her pursuit to understand how neurodegenerative diseases disproportionately affect minority populations and how access to healthcare can be improved in underserved communities
Students:
Ali Tfaily, PhD Program, Emory University Laney Graduate School.
Arin Watson, Anthropology and Human Biology, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Ashley Yeung, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Brian Kim, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Gracelyn Mai, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences.
Hayden Herring, PhD Program, Emory University Laney Graduate School.
Julia Kamara, Biology, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Maxim Mukherjee, Emory College of Arts and Science.
Saharla Mohamoud, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
Shianne Daniels, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, Emory University School of Nursing.
Shuyang He, Neurobiology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences.
Sofie Ragins, Chemistry, Emory College of Arts and Science.