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SHARON SANZ SIMON, PHD

 Mental Health, Neuroscience & Aging

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WELCOME

About Me

I am an Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center

(at the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain and the Department of Neurology at at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons).

I trained in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology at the University of São Paulo before joining Columbia University as Postdoctoral Fellow in the Laboratory of Prof. Yaakov Stern, where I investigate reserve & resilience factors to promote healthy cognitive aging and dementia prevention.


My research has been focused on non-pharmacological interventions to promote brain/mental health, enhance cognition, health behaviors and quality of life in older adults, including those at risk of Alzheimer`s disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). As I have conducted clinical trials in Brazil and in the US, I have particular interest in sociocultural and environmental factors that influence health behaviors and interventions, as well as disparities/inequities in mental health, aging, and dementia. 

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EDUCATION

What and Where I've been learning

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP - COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - NEW YORK
(USA)

September 2018 - 2022

RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP - HARVARD UNIVERSITY - BOSTON
(USA)

July 2015 - June 2016

PHD IN SCIENCES/PSYCHIATRY - UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO (BRAZIL)

December 2012 - June 2017

BACHELOR IN PSYCHOLOGY - PONTIFICAL CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO (BRAZIL)

January 2003 - December 2009

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GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, HONORS & AWARDS

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

What and where I've published

Google Citation

ORCID

NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTION

Nicastri, C.M., Simon. S.S., McFeeley, B., Ledreux, A., Hakanbsson, K., Granholm, A., Mohammed, A.H., Daffner, K.R. (2022). BDNF mediates improvement in cognitive performance after computerized cognitive training. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions (In Press).

Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M., Nucci, M.P., Ferreira, L.K., Duran, F.L.S., Fonseca, L.M., Martin, M.G.M., Ávila, R., Porto, F.H.G., Brucki, S.M.D., Martins, C.B., Tascone, L.S., Amaro, Jr E., Busatto, G.F., Bottino, C.M.C. (2020) Mnemonic strategy training modulates functional connectivity at rest in mild cognitive impairment: results from a randomized controlled trial. Alzheimer & Dementia: TRCI. 6(1): e12075. (Link)

Simon, S.S. ,Castellani, M., Belleville, S., Dwolatzky, T.Hampstead, B.M, Bahar-Fuchs, A. (2020). The Design, Evaluation and Reporting on Non-Pharmacological, Cognition-Oriented Treatments for Older Adults: Results of a Survey of Experts. Alzheimer & Dementia: TRCI. (Link)

Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M., Nucci, M.P., Duran, F.L.S., Fonseca, L.M., Martin, M.G.M., Ávila, R., Porto, F.H.G., Brucki, S.M.D., Martins, C.B., Tascone, L.S., Amaro, Jr E., Busatto, G.F., Bottino, C.M.C. (2019). Training gains and transfer effects after mnemonic strategy training in mild cognitive impairment: A fMRI study. International Journal of Psychophysiology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.03.014. Link

Batista, A.X., Bazán, P.R., Conforto, A.B., Martin, M.D.G.M., Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B., Figueiredo, E.G., Miotto, E.C. (2019). Effects of Mnemonic Strategy Training on Brain Activity and Cognitive Functioning of Left-Hemisphere Ischemic Stroke Patients. Neural Plasticity. doi: 10.1155/2019/4172569. Link


Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M., Nucci, M.P., Duran, F.L.S., Fonseca, L.M., Martin, M.G.M., Ávila, R., Porto, F.H.G., Brucki, S.M.D., Martins, C.B., Tascone, L.S., Amaro, Jr E., Busatto, G.F., Bottino, C.M.C (2018). Cognitive and brain activity changes after mnemonic strategy training in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience, doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00342. Link


Simon, S.S., Tusch, E.S., Fend, N.C., Hakansson, K.; Mohammed, A.H.; Daffner, K.R. (2018). Is Computerized Working Memory Training Effective in Healthy Older Adults? Evidence from a Multi-Site, Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Alzheimer Disease, 10:380; doi: 10.3233/JAD-180455. Link


Miotto, E.C., Batista, A.X., Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B.M. (2018). Neurophisiologic and Cognitive Changes Arising from Cognitive Training Interventions in Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systemtic Review. Neural Plasticity, doi: 10.1155/2018/7301530. Link

Simon, S.S., Cordás, T.A., Bottino, C.M.C. (2015). Cognitive Behavioral Therapies in older adults with depression and cognitive deficits: a systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry; 30(3): 223-33. doi: 10.1002/gps.4239. Link

Horie, N.C., Serrao, V.T., Simon, S.S.Gascon, M.R.; Dos Santos, A.X.; Zambone, M.A., Del Bigio de Freitas, M.M., Cunha-Neto, E., Marques, E.L.; Halpern, A., de Melo, M.E., Mancini, M.C., Cercato, C. (2015). Cognitive Effects of Intentional Weight Loss in Elderly Obese Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 101(3):1104-12. doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-2315. Link


Simon, S.S., Yokomizo, J.E., Bottino, C.M.C. (2012). Cognitive intervention in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A systematic review. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 36(4): 1163-1178. Link

PSYCHOSOCIAL & COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

Simon, S.S., Lee, S., Gu, Y., Mensing, A., Noofoo, D., Nazario, G.H., Babukutty, R.S., Stern, Y. (2022). Leisure activity engagement across adulthood predicts cognitive change after 5 years: Does gender and age matter? Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (In Press).

Simon, S.S. (2021). Good News for Dementia Prevention: Multiple Behavioral Features Are Associated With Markers of Brain Pathology in the Preclinical Phase of Sporadic and Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’s Disease. Biological Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.001. Link 

Simon, S.S., Lee, S., Stern, Y. (2020). Personality‐cognition associations across the adult life span and potential moderators: Results from two cohorts. Journal of Personality. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12548. Link

Simon, S.S., Varangis, E. Stern, Y. (2020). Associations between personality and whole-brain functional connectivity at rest: Evidence across the adult lifespan. Brain and Behavior.  doi: 10.1002/brb3.1515. Link

Batista, A.X., Bazan, P.R., Conforto, A.B., Martins, M.G.M., Hoshino, M., Simon, S.S., Hampstead, B., Figueiredo, E.G., Castro, M.P., Michelan, D., Amaro Jr., E., Miotto, E.C. (2018). Resting state functional connectivity and neural correlates of face-name encoding in patients with ischemic vascular lesions with and without the involvement of the left inferior frontal gyrus. Cortex, 113: 15-28. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2018.11.016. Link


Simon, S.S., Tusch, E.S., Holcomb, P.J., Daffner, K.R. (2016). Increasing Working Memory Load Reduces Processing of Cross-Modal Task-Irrelevant Stimuli Even after Controlling for Task Difficulty and Executive Capacity. Frontiers of Human Neuroscience, 10:380; doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00380. Link

COGNITIVE & NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Fonseca, L.M., Haddad, G.G., Mattar, G.P., Oliveira, M.C, Simon, S.S., Guilhoto, L.M. Busatto, G.F., Zaman, S., Holland, A.J., Hoexter, M.Q., Bottino, C.M.C. (2018). The validity and reliability of the CAMDEX-DS for assessing dementia in adults with Down syndrome in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2018-0033. Link

Simon, S.S., Ávila, R.T., Vieria, G., Bottino, C.M.C. (2016). Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire for elderly. Dementia Neuropsychologia, 10(2):113-126. Link

Yokomizo, J.E., Simon, S.S., Bottino, C.M.C. (2014). Cognitive screening for dementia in primary care: a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics, 26 (11), 1783-1804. Link

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Home: Recognitions
Image by Solen Feyissa

PATHWAY TO INDEPENDENCE AWARD (K99/R00)

National Institute of Aging (NIA), National Institute of Health (NIH) - USA

September 2022

September 2022

IMPACT-AD

Semptember 2022

Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement of Clinical Trials in ADRD
(Training Program in Clinical Trials)

BUTLER-WILLIAMS SCHOLARS PROGRAM - NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AGING (NIH-NIA)

July 2021

This is a brief and concise description of your personal/professional award or recognition. Take the opportunity to explain why you were selected, and any other helpful details to showcase your talents.

HONORABLE MENTION - EARLY CAREER AWARD



Professional Interest Area (PIA) Nonpharmacological Intervention (NPI)

Virtual Alzheimer Association International Conference (AAIC) & NIA-PIA Day (ISTAART)

August 2020                                     

This is a brief and concise description of your personal/professional award or recognition. Take the opportunity to explain why you were selected, and any other helpful details to showcase your talents.

NELSON BUTTERS AWARD:

BEST POSTDOC RESEARCH LINK

ANNUAL MEETING OF INTERNATIONAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (INS) 

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL. 

July 2019

This is a brief and concise description of your personal/professional award or recognition. Take the opportunity to explain why you were selected, and any other helpful details to showcase your talents.

LAIRD S. CERMAK AWARD:

BEST RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF MEMORY LINK

ANNUAL MEETING OF INTERNATIONAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (INS) 

NEW ORLEANS, USA. 

February 2017

Title: Cognitive and Neuroimaging Changes After Mnemonic Strategy Training in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impaimrent : a Randomized, Single-Blind Study.

ANA MARIA POPPOVIC AWARD: 

BEST BACHELOR THESIS

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND HEALTH, PONTIFICAL CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO (PUC-SP)

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

June 2010

Title: Neuropsychological Rehabilitation on Mild Cognitive Impairment: a systematic review 

FELLOW TRAVEL AWARD

ALZHEIMER ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

LONDON, UK

July 2017

Title: Transfer Effect After Mnemonic Strategy In Amnestic MCI: Evidences From A Randomized Single-Blind Study.

Research results were selected as an oral presentation in the AAIC 2017.

SCIENCE WITHOUT BORDERS SCHOLARSHIP (PHD)

BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT 

July 2015 - June 2016

I received this scholarship during my year as a research fellow at Harvard Medical School - Boston (USA).

LEMANN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP (PHD)

October 2015

I received this scholarship during my year as a research fellow at Harvard Medical School - Boston (USA).

CAPES SCHOLARSHIP (PHD)

BRAZILIAN GOVERMENT

May 2013 - May 2015

I received this scholarship during the PhD program at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

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