Naftali Raz

Naftali Raz is a Professor of Psychology at Stony Brook University, specializing in Integrative Neuroscience. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin (1985) and a B.A. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1979). His research focuses on understanding age-related changes in the brain and cognition, particularly exploring metabolic, vascular, and inflammatory risk factors influencing cognitive aging. He employs neuroimaging techniques such as MRI, MRS, and fMRI to study brain structure, function, and metabolism in healthy aging populations.

Raz’s research emphasizes the 'FRIENDS' model (Free-Radical Induced Energetic and Neural Decline in Senescence), linking aging to energy production decline. His work includes longitudinal studies on brain atrophy, myelin content, and iron accumulation. He investigates how physiological risk factors like cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome impact neurocognitive trajectories. Current grants include NIA funding for neural correlates of cognitive aging and hippocampal glutamate modulation studies.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Texas at Austin (1985)
  • B.A. in Psychology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel (1979)
• Labs/Facilities: Integrative Neuroscience Group, SCAN Center (Stony Brook Advanced Neuroimaging)

His publications span over three decades, with recent works on recognition memory strategies, hippocampal subfield analysis, and cerebral blood flow dynamics. Collaborations include multi-institutional projects on neuroimaging protocols and aging mechanisms.