Merrill Elias

Merrill Elias is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Maine and a cooperating professor in the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering (GSBSE). He has been a key figure in cardiovascular epidemiology and cognitive aging research since joining the university in 1977. His work is deeply connected to the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS), a long-term community-based investigation into cardiovascular and cognitive health.

• Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, Purdue University (1963)
• MPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (1996)
• Post-doctoral Training, Duke University Center for Aging and Human Development (1971)
• B.A., Allegheny College (1960)

Dr. Elias's research focuses on the interplay between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive performance across the lifespan. His work explores how variables such as blood pressure, arterial stiffness, diabetes, diet (e.g., Mediterranean diet, chocolate), vitamins (B12, B6, folate), and lifestyle factors influence brain health. The MSLS provides a rich dataset for examining these relationships longitudinally.

The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent focus on hypertension, diet-cognition links, and vascular contributions to cognitive decline. His work spans clinical measurement accuracy, nutritional epidemiology, and neuroepidemiology, often using data from the MSLS. Themes include dietary patterns, blood pressure screening practices, and vascular biomarkers as predictors of cognitive outcomes.

Scientific honors include:

• Fellow, American Psychological Association
• Fellow, Society of Psychosomatic Medicine
• Fellow, American Heart Association Councils on High Blood Pressure and Epidemiology

Dr. Elias has secured sustained research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIA, NHLBI), National Science Foundation (NSF), and NATO. He mentors students through the GSBSE and the MSLS, fostering interdisciplinary research. His collaborations span institutions such as Boston University, Oxford University, University of Southern California, and Australian National University. He directs the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Aging and Neuropsychology, which continues to produce impactful research on aging, cognition, and cardiovascular health.