Hiroko H. Dodge

Hiroko H. Dodge is a Full Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and serves as Director of Research Analytics at the Interdisciplinary Brain Center, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Her work bridges clinical neurology, data science, and epidemiology with a focus on dementia research.

Dr. Dodge's research spans multiple critical areas in aging and cognitive decline, with particular emphasis on clinical trials (both behavioral and pharmacological) in dementia research. Her expertise includes the epidemiology of dementia, application of demographic methods to clinical fields, and advanced data science approaches to understanding cognitive aging. She has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between social isolation and cognitive decline, as demonstrated through her leadership of the Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Clinical Trial (I-CONECT).

Her work explores how social engagement, environmental factors, and nutritional status impact cognitive trajectories in older adults. Dr. Dodge has pioneered research on digital biomarkers for early detection of cognitive impairment, utilizing computerized cognitive testing, speech analysis, and facial expression recognition through projects like the ARMADA study. She has also investigated the role of environmental exposures such as air quality and lead in dementia risk.

• Editorial Board Member for The Journals of Gerontology Series B
• Editorial Board Member for Alzheimer's & Dementia
• Associate Editor for Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions

Her research has been widely recognized, with 445 publications that have garnered over 15,000 citations. Dr. Dodge leads innovative clinical trials and methodology development for dementia research, including decentralized trial approaches and synthetic control methods that address challenges in contemporary Alzheimer's disease therapeutic development.

She leads "Hiroko Hayama Dodge's Lab" which focuses on innovative approaches to dementia research, particularly through the integration of technology and clinical assessment. Her I-CONECT project, which investigates the impact of frequent social interactions via webcam/internet on cognitive function in socially isolated older adults, represents a novel approach to dementia prevention. Dr. Dodge collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions, with notable partnerships at Oregon Health & Science University and other leading research centers.