Get Involved in Research
We are currently recruiting individuals for several studies! If you are interested in one or more studies below, please reach out to the lab by emailing Olivia Hudgens (Email) or calling 214-648-4639.
Actively Recruiting
Imaging, Plasma and Cognitive Trajectories in Amateur Football Players (IMPACT-Football)
This pilot study looks at how repeated head impacts from college football may affect the brain as players reach middle adulthood (ages 30–50). We will examine former athletes’ thinking and memory, brain structure and function using MRI scans, and blood-based biomarkers that can show early signs of inflammation, nerve injury, or neurodegenerative diseases. The goal is to find biological and cognitive changes linked to past head impacts and to determine how much exposure puts athletes at higher risk for early decline or brain disease. The results could improve early detection, prevention, and treatment of brain problems related to repeated head impacts and help support larger future research efforts.
Studies Recruiting through the NPH Clinic
Prospective Observational Study of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
This research follows NPH patients throughout their evaluation and treatment. We aim to better understand: 1) how NPH affects cognitive decline, mobility, and daily functioning; and 2) how these features change over time with neurosurgical treatments. A central goal of our work is to build a comprehensive clinical database that includes cognitive findings, imaging results, gait assessments, surgical outcomes, and other routine clinical measures. With this growing dataset, we hope to identify reliable clinical predictors of neurosurgical response, clarify which patients are most likely to benefit from treatment, and improve the accuracy of differential diagnosis when symptoms overlap with other conditions. The insights gained from this work will help clinicians provide clearer guidance to patients and families, support earlier and more accurate diagnosis, and ultimately improve long‑term outcomes for individuals affected by NPH. The ongoing aggregation of this database is funded in part by the Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care award and the Hydrocephalus Association, who provide excellent resources to patients and families diagnosed with NPH and other types of hydrocephalus.
Plasma Biomarkers and Alzheimer’s Disease in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
This study aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning for individuals with suspected NPH, which is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Comorbid AD occurs in up to half of patients with suspected NPH and is associated with poorer neurosurgical outcomes, and distinguishing whether cognitive impairment is driven by NPH itself or by underlying AD is a critical clinical challenge. Traditional cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers are often unreliable in NPH due to altered CSF flow, creating an urgent need for alternative diagnostic approaches. This project evaluates whether recently developed plasma biomarkers can accurately detect comorbid AD and predict cognitive, functional, and neurobehavioral outcomes in this population. By leveraging the large cohort of NPH patients seen at UT Southwestern’s interdisciplinary clinic, this study seeks to clarify the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in NPH and to identify clinical and biological indicators that can improve differential diagnosis and help determine who is most likely to benefit from neurosurgical intervention. This study is funded by the Texas Alzheimer’s Research Care and Consortium (TARCC).
Neurocognitive Impairment in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Multimodal Imaging and Biomarker Study
This study seeks to define the heterogeneity of neurocognitive impairment in those with NPH more clearly by identifying distinct cognitive profiles in a large clinical sample and determining which biological and imaging features best explain these patterns. To accomplish this, we combine neuropsychological assessment with advanced diffusion MRI techniques that allow us to evaluate white matter injury and microstructural changes not visible on standard clinical scans. We also analyze blood and cerebrospinal fluid to measure markers of neuronal and axonal injury, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and co-occurring dementia conditions that may contribute to cognitive decline in this population. By integrating these cognitive, imaging, and fluid-based indicators, we aim to uncover the mechanisms that drive cognitive impairment in NPH and to determine which factors best predict cognitive change and recovery following shunt surgery. This work will guide more accurate diagnosis, help anticipate treatment response, and ultimately improve care for individuals living with this complex and uniquely treatable condition. This study is funded by the Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care award program.