Title
Contact Information:
Mailing Address
Department of Psychology
P-217 Biological Sciences Bldg
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB
Canada T6G 2E9
Email

vlslab@ualberta.ca

Director and Principal Investigator
Dr. Roger A. Dixon

VLS Co-Founder and Professor

Canada Research Chair

Professor of Psychology (Science)

University of Alberta

Canada

RAD Website: https://sites.ualberta.ca/~vlslab/DixonHomepage/

Dr. Roger A. Dixon
Recent VLS Leadership and Research Contributors
Dr. Christopher Hertzog

VLS Co-Founder and Professor

School of Psychology

Georgia Institute of Technology

USA

Selected VLS Publications
  • Hertzog, C., McFall, G.P., Small, B.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Age, cohort, and period effects on metamemory beliefs. Psychology and Aging, 34(8), 1077–1089.
  • Hertzog, C., & Dixon, R.A. (2005). Metacognition in midlife. In S.L. Willis & M. Marting (Eds.), Middle adulthood: A lifespan perspective (pp. 355–379). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
  • Hertzog, C., Dixon, R.A., Hultsch, D.F., & MacDonald, S.W.S. (2003). Latent change models of adult cognition: Are changes in processing speed and working memory associated with changes in episodic memory? Psychology and Aging, 18, 755–770.
  • Hertzog, C., Hultsch, D.F., & Dixon, R.A. (1999). On the problem of detecting effects of lifestyle on cognitive change in adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 14, 528–534.
Dr. Christopher Hertzog
Dr. David F. Hultsch

VLS Co-Founder and Professor (ret)

Department of Psychology

University of Victoria

Canada

Selected VLS Publications
  • Hultsch, D.F., Hertzog, C., Dixon, R.A., & Small, B.J. (2010). Memory change in the aged. Cambridge University Press.
  • Hultsch, D.F., Bielak, A.A.M., Crow, C.B., & Dixon, R.A. (2009). The way we were: Perceptions of past memory change in older adults. In H.B. Bosworth & C. Hertzog (Eds.), Cognition in aging: Methodologies and applications (pp. 197–216). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
  • Hultsch, D.F., MacDonald, S.W.S., & Dixon, R.A. (2002). Variability in reaction time performance of younger and older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 57, P101–115.
  • Hultsch, D.F., MacDonald, S.W.S., Hunter, M.A., Maitland, S.B., & Dixon, R.A. (2002). Sampling and generalizability in psychological research on aging: Comparison of a random sample and samples of convenience. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 26, 345–359.
  • Hultsch, D.F., Hertzog, C., Small, B.J., & Dixon, R.A. (1999). Use it or lose it: Engaged lifestyle as a buffer of cognitive decline in aging? Psychology and Aging, 14, 245–263.
Dr. David F. Hultsch
Dr. G. Peggy McFall

Research Associate

Department of Psychology

University of Alberta

Canada

Selected VLS Publications
  • Xu, Y., McFall, G.P., Rydén, L., Skoog, J., Chang, E., Cysique, L.A., Harris, K., Kedwell, S., Lim, M.L., Anstey, K.J., Anderson, C.S., Dixon, R.A., Skoog, I., Tully, P.J., & Peters, R. (2025). Cumulative blood pressure load and cognitive decline in older adults: An observational analysis of two large cohorts. Cerebral Circulation: Cognition and Behavior, 8, Article 100375.
  • McFall, G.P., Bohn, L., Drouin, S.M., Gee, M., Fah, H., Han, W., Li, L., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2023). Identifying key multi-modal predictors of incipient dementia in Parkinson's disease: A machine learning analysis and Tree SHAP interpretation. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 15, Article 1124232.
  • McFall, G.P., McDermott, K.L., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Modifiable risk factors discriminate memory trajectories in non-demented aging: Precision factors and targets for promoting healthier brain aging and preventing dementia? Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 70, S101–S118.
Dr. G. Peggy McFall
Dr. Stuart W.S. MacDonald

Professor

Department of Psychology

University of Victoria

Canada

Selected VLS Publications
  • MacDonald, S.W.S., Keller, C.J.C., Brewster, P.W.H., & Dixon, R.A. (2018). Contrasting olfaction, vision, and audition as predictors of cognitive change and impairment in non-demented older adults. Neuropsychology, 32(4), 450–460.
  • MacDonald, S.W.S., Hundza, S., Love, J., DeCarlo, C.A., Halliday, D.W., Brewster, P.W., Lukyn, T.V., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2017). Concurrent indicators of gait velocity and variability are associated with 25-year cognitive change: A retrospective longitudinal investigation. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9, 17.
  • DeCarlo, C.A., Tuokko, H.A., Williams, D., Dixon, R.A., & MacDonald, S.W.S. (2014). BioAge: Toward a multi-determined, mechanistic account of cognitive aging. Ageing Research Reviews, 18, 95–105.
Dr. Stuart W.S. MacDonald
Dr. Linzy Bohn

Post-doctoral Scholar

University of Alberta

Canada

Selected VLS Publications
  • Bohn, L., Vandenburg, P., Fah, H., Rajah, M.N., Einstein, G.E., & Dixon, R.A. (2026). Evaluating sex and gender as independent and interactive predictors of memory aging trajectory classes: An integrative data-driven approach. Biology of Sex Differences, 17, Article 80.
  • Bohn, L., Han, A.Y., McFall, G.P., Drouin, S.M., Pettersen, J.A., Einstein, G., Rajah, M.N., Anstey, K.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2024). Gender selectively mediates the association between sex and memory in cognitively normal older adults. Innovation in Aging, 8(11), Article igae0894.
  • Bohn, L., Zheng, Y., McFall, G.P., & Dixon, R.A. (2021). Portals to frailty? Data-driven analyses detect early frailty profiles. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, 13, Article 1.
Dr. Linzy Bohn
Dr. Sebastian Caballero

Post-doctoral Fellow

University of Ottawa and Western University

Canada

Selected VLS Publications
  • Caballero, H.S., Bohn, L., Vergote, D., Andrews, S.J., Jhamandas, J.H., & Dixon, R.A. (2026). Polygenic risk scores, vascular health and sex interactively predict memory aging trajectories: A dynamic Alzheimer's disease biomarker network approach. (Submitted for Publication)
  • Caballero, H.S., McFall, G.P., Wiebe, S., & Dixon, R.A. (2021). Integrating three characteristics of executive function in non-demented aging: Trajectories, classification, and biomarker predictors. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 27(2), 158-171.
  • Caballero, H.S., McFall, G.P., Zheng, Y., & Dixon, R.A. (2021). Data-driven approaches to executive function performance and structure in aging: Integrating person-centered analyses and machine learning risk prediction. Neuropsychology, 35(8), 889-903.
Dr. Sebastian Caballero
Jill Friesen, BSc

Research Assistant

VLS Lab and Web Manager

University of Alberta

Canada

Jill Friesen
VLS Consultants and Co-Investigators
Dr. Kaarin J. Anstey

Professor

University of New South Wales

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA)

Australia

Selected VLS Publications
  • Xu, J.-J., Goddard, E., Dixon, R.A., Eramudugolla, R., Huang, R., Jiang, H.-X., Anstey, K.J. (2026). Sex difference in brain reserve of working memory among older adults. (Submitted for Publication)
  • Xu, Y., McFall, G.P., Rydén, L., Skoog, J., Chang, E., Cysique, L.A., Harris, K., Kedwell, S., Lim, M.L., Anstey, K.J., Anderson, C.S., Dixon, R.A., Skoog, I., Tully, P.J., & Peters, R. (2025). Cumulative blood pressure load and cognitive decline in older adults: An observational analysis of two large cohorts. Cerebral Circulation: Cognition and Behavior, 8, Article 100375.
  • Bohn, L., Han, A.Y., McFall, G.P., Drouin, S.M., Pettersen, J.A., Einstein, G., Rajah, M.N., Anstey, K.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2024). Gender selectively mediates the association between sex and memory in cognitively normal older adults. Innovation in Aging, 8(11), Article igae0894.
  • Zheng, L., Eramudugolla, R., Cherbuin, N., Drouin, S.M., Dixon, R.A., & Anstey, K.J. (2023). Gender specific factors contributing to cognitive resilience in APOE ɛ4 positive older adults in a population-based sample. Scientific Reports, 13, 8037.
  • Anstey, K.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2021). Resilience in midlife and aging. In K.W. Schaie & S.L. Willis (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (9th ed., pp. 287–300). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
  • Anstey, K.J., Peters, R., Mortby, M., Kiely, K.M., Eramudugolla, R., Cherbuin, N., Huque, H., & Dixon, R.A. (2021). Association of sex differences in dementia risk factors with sex differences in memory decline in a population-based cohort spanning 20–76 years. Scientific Reports, 11, Article 7710.
  • Anstey, K.J., Peters, R., Zheng, L., Barnes, D.E., Brayne, C., Brodaty, H., ... Dixon, R.A. ... & Yaffe, K. (2020). Future directions for dementia and prevention research: An International Research Network on Dementia Prevention consensus. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 78(1), 3–12.
  • Peters, R., Yasar, S., Anderson, C., Andrews, S.J., ... Dixon, R.A., ... McFall, G.P., ... & Anstey, K.J. (2020). Investigation of antihypertensive class, dementia, and cognitive decline: A meta-analysis. Neurology, 94(3), e267–e281.
  • Andrews, S.J., McFall, G.P., Booth, A., Dixon, R.A., & Anstey, K.J. (2019). Association of Alzheimer's disease genetic risk loci with cognitive performance and decline: A systematic review. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 69, 1109–1136.
  • Andrews, S.J., McFall, G.P., Dixon, R.A., & Anstey, K.J. (2019). Alzheimer's environmental and genetic risk scores are differentially associated with general cognitive ability and dementia severity. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 33, 95–103.
  • Anstey, K.J., Eramudugolla, R., Hosking, D.E., Lautenschlager, N.T., & Dixon, R.A. (2015). Bridging the translation gap: From dementia risk assessment to advice on risk reduction. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 2(3), 189–198.
  • Anstey, K.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2014). Applying a cumulative deficit model of frailty to dementia: Progress and future challenges. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, 6(9), 84.
  • Anstey, K.J., Eramudugolla, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2014). Contributions of a risk assessment approach to the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 42, S463–S473.
Dr. Kaarin J. Anstey
Dr. Lars Bäckman

Professor

Karolinska Institutet

Sweden

Selected VLS Publications
  • McFall, G.P., Bäckman, L., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Nuances in Alzheimer's genetic risk reveal differential predictions of non-demented memory aging trajectories: Selective patterns by APOE genotype and sex. Current Alzheimer Research, 16(4), 302–315.
  • McFall, G.P., Wiebe, S.A., Vergote, D., Westaway, D., Jhamandas, J., Bäckman, L., & Dixon, R.A. (2015). ApoE and pulse pressure interactively influence level and change in the aging of episodic memory: Protective effects among ε2 carriers. Neuropsychology, 29, 388–401.
  • Dixon, R.A., Wahlin, Å., Maitland, S.B., Hultsch, D.F., Hertzog, C., & Bäckman, L. (2004). Episodic memory change in late adulthood: Generalizability across samples and performance indices. Memory & Cognition, 32, 768–778.
  • Nyberg, L., Maitland, S.B., Rönnlund, M., Bäckman, L., Dixon, R.A., Wahlin, Å., & Nilsson, L.-G. (2003). Selective adult age differences in an age-invariant multi-factor model of declarative memory. Psychology and Aging, 18, 149–160.
Dr. Lars Bäckman
Dr. Richard Camicioli

Professor

Department of Medicine (Neurology)

University of Alberta

Canada

Selected VLS Publications
  • Buzatto, A.Z., Tatlay, J., Bajwa, B., Mung, D., Camicioli, R., Dixon, R.A., & Li, L. (2021). Comprehensive serum lipidomics for detecting incipient dementia in Parkinson's disease. Journal of Proteome Research, 20(8), 4053–4067.
  • Han, W., Sapkota, S., Camicioli, R., Dixon, R.A., & Li, L. (2017). Profiling novel metabolic biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease using in-depth metabolomic analysis. Movement Disorders, 32(12), 1720–1728.
  • Thibeau, S., McFall, G.P., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2017). Alzheimer's disease biomarkers interactively influence physical activity, mobility, and cognition associations in a non-demented aging population. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 60(1), 69–86.
  • Dolcos, S., MacDonald, S.W.S., Braslavsky, A., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2012). Mild cognitive impairment is associated with selected functional markers: Integrating concurrent, longitudinal, and stability effects. Neuropsychology, 26, 209–223.
Dr. Richard Camicioli
Dr. Ian Deary

Professor

University of Edinburgh

Scotland

Influential Related Publications
  • Deary, I.J., Gow, A.J., Pattie, A., & Starr, J.M. (2012). Cohort profile: The Lothian Birth Cohorts of 1921 and 1936. International Journal of Epidemiology, 41(6), 1576–1584.
  • Harris, S.E. & Deary, I.J. (2011). The genetics of cognitive ability and cognitive ageing in healthy older people. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15, 388–394.
  • Deary, I.J., & Der, G. (2005). Reaction time, age, and cognitive ability: Longitudinal findings from age 16 to 63 years in representative population samples. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, 12(2), 187–215.
  • Deary, I.J., Whiteman, M.C., Pattie, A., Starr, J.M., Hayward, C., Wright, A.F., Carothers, A., & Whalley, L.J. (2002). Cognitive change and the APOE epsilon 4 allele. Nature, 418(6901), 932.
Dr. Ian Deary
Dr. Christopher Hertzog

VLS Co-Founder and Professor

School of Psychology

Georgia Institute of Technology

USA

Selected VLS Publications
  • Hertzog, C., McFall, G.P., Small, B.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Age, cohort, and period effects on metamemory beliefs. Psychology and Aging, 34(8), 1077–1089.
  • Hertzog, C., & Dixon, R.A. (2005). Metacognition in midlife. In S.L. Willis & M. Marting (Eds.), Middle adulthood: A lifespan perspective (pp. 355–379). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
  • Hertzog, C., Dixon, R.A., Hultsch, D.F., & MacDonald, S.W.S. (2003). Latent change models of adult cognition: Are changes in processing speed and working memory associated with changes in episodic memory? Psychology and Aging, 18, 755–770.
  • Hertzog, C., Hultsch, D.F., & Dixon, R.A. (1999). On the problem of detecting effects of lifestyle on cognitive change in adulthood. Psychology and Aging, 14, 528–534.
Dr. Christopher Hertzog
Dr. Scott Hofer

Mohr Chair and Professor

University of Victoria

Canada

Selected VLS Publications
  • Brown, C.L., Robitaille, A., Zelinski, E.M., Dixon, R.A., Hofer, S.M., & Piccinin, A. (2016). Cognitive activity mediates the association between social activity and cognitive performance: A longitudinal study. Psychology and Aging, 31(8), 831–846.
  • Dixon, R.A., Mungas, D.M., Hofer, S.M., & Piccinin, A.M. (2012). Social activity and cognitive functioning over time: A coordinated analysis of four longitudinal studies. Journal of Aging Research, 2012, Article 287438.
  • Lindwall, M., Cimino, C.R., Gibbons, L.E., Mitchell, M.B., Benitez, A., Brown, C.L., Kennison, R.F., Shirk, S.D., Atri, A., Robitaille, A., MacDonald, S.W.S., Zelinski, E.M., Willis, S.L., Schaie, K.W., Johansson, B., Praetorius, M., Dixon, R.A., Mungas, D.M., Hofer, S.M., & Piccinin, A.M. (2012). Dynamic associations of change in physical activity and change in cognitive function: Coordinated analyses of four longitudinal studies. Journal of Aging Research, 2012, Article 493598.
Dr. Scott Hofer
Dr. John J. McArdle

Professor

University of Southern California

USA

Selected VLS Publications
  • McArdle, J.J. & Nesselroade, J.R. (2014). Longitudinal data analysis using structural equation modeling. Washington, DC: APA Books.
  • Dixon, R.A., Small, B.J., MacDonald, S.W.S., & McArdle, J.J. (2012). Yes, memory declines with aging--but when, how, and why? In M. Naveh-Benjamin & N. Ohta (Eds.), Memory and aging (pp. 325–347). New York: Psychology Press.
  • Small, B.J., Dixon, R.A., McArdle, J.J., & Grimm, K.J. (2012). Do changes in lifestyle engagement moderate cognitive decline in normal aging? Evidence from the Victoria Longitudinal Study. Neuropsychology, 26, 144–155.
  • Small, B.J., Dixon, R.A., & McArdle, J.J. (2011). Tracking differences in cognition-health changes from 55 to 95 years of age: Findings from the Victoria Longitudinal Study. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 66B, i153–i161.
Dr. John J. McArdle
Dr. Lars-Göran Nilsson

Former Professor (Karolinska Institutet) and Chair (Stockholm University)

Former Director, Betula Project (Umeå University)

Sweden

Selected VLS Publications
  • Bäckman, L. & Nyberg, L. (2010). Memory aging and the brain: A festschrift in honour of Lars-Göran Nilsson. New York: Psychology Press.
  • Wahlin, Å., MacDonald, S.W.S., de Frias, C.M., Nilsson, L.-G., & Dixon, R.A. (2006). How do health and biological age influence chronological age and sex differences in cognitive aging: Moderating, mediating, or both? Psychology and Aging, 21, 318–332.
  • Dixon, R.A., Bäckman, L., & Nilsson, L.-G. (2004). New frontiers in cognitive aging. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Dixon, R.A., & Nilsson, L.-G. (2004). Don’t fence us in: Probing the frontiers of cognitive aging. In R.A. Dixon, L. Backman, & L.-G. Nilsson (Eds.), New frontiers in cognitive aging (pp. 3–15). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Nyberg, L., Maitland, S.B., Rönnlund, M., Bäckman, L., Dixon, R.A., Wahlin, Å., & Nilsson, L.-G. (2003). Selective adult age differences in an age-invariant multi-factor model of declarative memory. Psychology and Aging, 18, 149–160.
Dr. Lars-Göran Nilsson
Dr. Brent J. Small

Professor

University of North Carolina

USA

Selected VLS Publications
  • Runge, S.K., Small, B.J., McFall, G.P., & Dixon R.A. (2014). APOE moderates the association between lifestyle activities and cognitive performance: Evidence of genetic plasticity in aging. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 20(5), 478–486.
  • Small, B.J., Dixon, R.A., & McArdle, J.J. (2011). Tracking differences in cognition-health changes from 55 to 95 years of age: Findings from the Victoria Longitudinal Study. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 66B, i153–i161.
  • Small, B.J., Hertzog, C., Hultsch, D.F., & Dixon, R.A. (2003). Stability and change in adult personality over 6 years: Findings from the Victoria Longitudinal Study. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 58B, 166–176.
Dr. Brent J. Small
Dr. Esther Strauss

Former Professor

University of Victoria

Canada

Selected VLS Publications
  • Bielak, A.A.M., Hultsch, D.F., Strauss, E., MacDonald, S.W.S., & Hunter, M.A. (2010). Intraindividual variability in reaction time predicts cognitive outcomes 5 years later. Neuropsychology, 24(6), 731–741. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019802
  • de Frias, C.M., Dixon, R.A., & Strauss, E. (2009). Characterizing executive functioning in older special populations: From cognitively elite to cognitively impaired. Neuropsychology, 23, 778–791.
  • Dixon, R.A., Garrett, D.D., Lentz, T.L., MacDonald, S.W.S., Strauss, E., & Hultsch, D.F. (2007). Neurocognitive markers of cognitive impairment: Exploring the roles of speed and inconsistency. Neuropsychology, 21, 381–399.
  • Bielak, A.A.M., Mansueti, L., Strauss, E., & Dixon, R.A. (2006). Performance on the Hayling and Brixton tests in older adults: Norms and correlates. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 21, 141–149.
  • de Frias, C.M., Dixon, R.A., & Strauss, E. (2006). Structure of four executive functioning tests in healthy older adults. Neuropsychology, 20, 206–214.
  • Strauss, E. , Sherman, E.M.S., & Spreen, O. (2006). A compendium of neuropsychological tests: Administration, norms and commentary (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
Dr. Esther Strauss
Dr. Åke Wahlin

Professor

Jönköping University

Sweden

Selected VLS Publications
  • Wahlin, Å., MacDonald, S.W.S., de Frias, C.M., Nilsson, L.-G., & Dixon, R.A. (2006). How do health and biological age influence chronological age and sex differences in cognitive aging: Moderating, mediating, or both? Psychology and Aging, 21, 318–332.
  • Dixon, R.A., Wahlin, Å., Maitland, S.B., Hultsch, D.F., Hertzog, C., & Bäckman, L. (2004). Episodic memory change in late adulthood: Generalizability across samples and performance indices. Memory & Cognition, 32, 768–778.
  • Nyberg, L., Maitland, S.B., Rönnlund, M., Bäckman, L., Dixon, R.A., Wahlin, Å., & Nilsson, L.-G. (2003). Selective adult age differences in an age-invariant multi-factor model of declarative memory. Psychology and Aging, 18, 149–160.
  • Wahlin, Å., Maitland, S.B., Bäckman, L., & Dixon, R.A. (2003). Interrelations between subjective health and episodic memory change in Swedish and Canadian samples of older adults. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 57, 21–36.
  • Bäckman, L., Ginovart, N., Dixon, R.A., Wahlin, T-B.R., Wahlin, Å., Halldin, C., & Farde, L. (2000). Age-related cognitive deficits are mediated by changes in the striatal dopamine system. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 635–637.
Dr. Åke Wahlin
VLS OMICS Biomarker Initiative: Genomics, Metabolomics, Lipidomics

This collaborative multi-dataset initiative is described elsewhere in the website (see VLS News). In addition to Roger Dixon, key contributors and publications are listed here.

Richard Camicioli

Richard Camicioli
Neurology

Jack Jhamandas

Jack Jhamandas
Neurology

Liang Li

Liang Li
Chemistry

David Vergote

David Vergote
Campus Saint-Jean

David Westaway

David Westaway
Prion Centre

Publications and Presentations
  • Rajah, M.N., Dixon, R.A., Einstein, G., Stern, Y., & The Brain Resilience and Diversity in Aging and Dementia Collaboratory (2026). A roadmap for conducting more inclusive research on brain resilience in ageing and dementia. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 27, 278–288. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-025-01021-1
  • Caballero, H.S., Andrews, S.J., Jhamandas, J.H., Camicioli, R., Masellis, M., & Dixon, R.A. (2025). Integrating polygenic risk scores, modifiable dementia risk factors, and sex as predictors of cohort membership in the Alzheimer’s and Lewy body disease spectra: A COMPASS-ND study. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 21(S7), e108960 (Abstract). https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70861_108960
  • Camicioli, R. Black, S., Borrie, M., ... Smith, E., Dixon, R.A., & Wellington, C. (2025). Alzheimer and neurodegeneration biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment with Lewy body disease in COMPASS-ND. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 21(S2), e102379 (Abstract). https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70856_102379
  • Dixon, R.A., Drouin, S., Bohn, L. Zhao, S., & Li, L. (2025). Integrating novel metabolomics biomarkers with multi-modal risk factors in predicting mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 21(S2), e104500 (Abstract). https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70856_104500
  • Lin, W.Z., Yu, D., Xiong, L.Y., ... Dixon, R.A., ... & Swardfager, W. (2025). Homocysteine, neurodegenerative biomarkers, and APOE ε4 in neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 21, Article e14376. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14376
  • Sultana, M., Camicioli, R., Dixon, R.A., Whitehead, S., Pierucciini-Faria, F., Petrotchenko, E., Speechley, M., Borchers, C.H., & Montero-Odasso, M. (2024). A metabolomics analysis of a novel phenotype of older adults at higher risk of dementia. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 99(S2), S317–S325. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-230683
  • Bohn, L., Drouin, S.M., McFall, G.P., Rolfson, D.B., Andrew, M.K., & Dixon, R.A. (2023). Machine learning analyses identify multi-modal frailty factors that selectively discriminate four cohorts in the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum: A COMPASS-ND study. BMC Geriatrics, 23, Article 837. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04546-1
  • McFall, G.P., Bohn, L., Drouin, S.M., Gee, M., Fah, H., Han, W., Li, L., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2023). Identifying key multi-modal predictors of incipient dementia in Parkinson's disease: A machine learning analysis and Tree SHAP interpretation. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 15, Article 1124232. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1124232
  • Zheng, L., Eramudugolla, R., Cherbuin, N., Drouin, S.M., Dixon, R.A., & Anstey, K.J. (2023). Gender specific factors contributing to cognitive resilience in APOE ɛ4 positive older adults in a population-based sample. Scientific Reports, 13, 8037. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34485-1
  • Bohn, L., Drouin, S.M., McFall, G.P., Rolfson, D.B., Andrew, M.K., & Dixon, R.A. (2023). Machine learning analyses identify multi-morbidity features that discriminate four cohorts in the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum: A COMPASS-ND study. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 26(1), 205 (Abstract). https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.26.659
  • McFall, G.P., Bohn, L., Gee, M., Drouin, S.M., Han, W., Li, L., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2023). Identifying key multi-modal predictors of incipient dementia in Parkinson’s disease: Machine learning analyses and Tree SHAP interpretation. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 26(1), 220 (Abstract). https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.26.659
  • Drouin, S.M., McFall, G.P., Potvin, O., Bellec, P., Masellis, M., Duchesne, S., & Dixon, R.A. for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (2022). Data-driven analyses of longitudinal hippocampal imaging trajectories: Discrimination and biomarker prediction of change classes. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 88, 97–115. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-215289
  • Heal, M., McFall, G.P., Vergote, D., Jhamandas, J.H., Westaway, D., & Dixon, R.A. (2022). Bridging Integrator 1 (BIN1, rs6733839) and sex are moderators of vascular health predictions of memory aging trajectories. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 89, 265–281. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-220334
  • Sapkota, S., McFall, G.P., Masellis, M., Dixon, R.A., & Black, S.E. (2022). Differential cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease is predicted by changes in ventricular size but moderated by Apolipoprotein E and pulse pressure. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 85(2), 545–560. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-215068
  • Buzatto, A.Z., Tatlay, J., Bajwa, B., Mung, D., Camicioli, R., Dixon, R.A., & Li, L. (2021). Comprehensive serum lipidomics for detecting incipient dementia in Parkinson's disease. Journal of Proteome Research, 20(8), 4053–4067. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00374
  • Sapkota, S., McFall, G.P., Masellis, M., & Dixon, R.A. (2021). A multimodal risk network predicts executive function trajectories in non-demented aging. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13, Article 621023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2021.621023
  • Badhwar, A., McFall, G.P., Sapkota, S., Black, S., Chertkow, H., Duchesne, S., Masellis, M., Li, L., Dixon, R.A., & Bellec, P. (2020). A multiomics approach to heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease: Focused review and roadmap. Brain, 143(5), 1315–1331. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz384
  • Andrews, S.J., McFall, G.P., Booth, A., Dixon, R.A., & Anstey, K.J. (2019). Association of Alzheimer's disease genetic risk loci with cognitive performance and decline: A systematic review. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 69, 1109–1136. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-190342
  • Andrews, S.J., McFall, G.P., Dixon, R.A., & Anstey, K.J. (2019). Alzheimer's environmental and genetic risk scores are differentially associated with general cognitive ability and dementia severity. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 33, 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1097/WAD.0000000000000292
  • McFall, G.P., Bäckman, L., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Nuances in Alzheimer's genetic risk reveal differential predictions of non-demented memory aging trajectories: Selective patterns by APOE genotype and sex. Current Alzheimer Research, 16(4), 302–315. https://doi.org/10.2174/1567205016666190315094452
  • Thibeau, S., McDermott, K.L., McFall, G.P., Rockwood, K., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Frailty effects on non-demented cognitive trajectories are moderated by sex and Alzheimer's genetic risk. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, 11, 55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-019-0509-9
  • Thibeau, S., McFall, G.P., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Physical activity and mobility differentially predict non-demented executive function trajectories: Do sex and APOE moderate these associations? Gerontology, 65, 640–648. https://doi.org/10.1159/000496442
  • Huan, T., Tran, T., Zheng, J., Sapkota, S., Camicioli, R., Dixon, R.A., & Li, L. (2018). Metabolomics analyses of saliva detect novel biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 65(4), 1401–1416. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-180711
  • Sapkota, S., & Dixon, R.A. (2018). A network of genetic effects on non-demented cognitive aging: Alzheimer’s genetic risk (CLU + CR1 + PICALM) intensifies cognitive aging genetic risk (COMT + BDNF) selectively for APOE ε4 carriers. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 62(2), 887–900. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-170909
  • Sapkota, S., Huan, T., Tran, T., Zheng, J., Camicioli, R., Li, L., & Dixon, R.A. (2018). Alzheimer's biomarkers from multiple modalities selectively discriminate clinical status: Relative importance of salivary metabolomics panels, genetic, lifestyle, cognitive, functional health, and demographic risk markers. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 10, 296. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2018.00296
  • Han, W., Sapkota, S., Camicioli, R., Dixon, R.A., & Li, L. (2017). Profiling novel metabolic biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease using in-depth metabolomic analysis. Movement Disorders, 32(12), 1720–1728. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.27173
  • McDermott, K., McFall, G.P., Andrews, S.J., Anstey, K.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2017). Memory resilience to Alzheimer's genetic risk: Sex effects in predictor profiles. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 72(6), 937–946. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbw161
  • Sapkota, S., Bäckman, L., & Dixon, R.A. (2017). Executive function performance and change in aging is predicted by Apolipoprotein E, intensified by catechol-O-methyltransferase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and moderated by age and lifestyle. Neurobiology of Aging, 52, 81–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.12.022
  • DeCarlo, C.A., MacDonald, S.W.S., Vergote, D., Jhamandas, J., Westaway, D., & Dixon, R.A. (2016). Vascular health, genetic risk and Mild Cognitive Impairment status and four-year stability: Evidence from the Victoria Longitudinal Study. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 71(6), 1004–1014. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbv043
  • McFall, G.P., Sapkota, S., McDermott, K.L., & Dixon, R.A. (2016). Risk-reducing Apolipoprotein E and Clusterin genotypes protect against the consequences of poor vascular health on executive function performance and change in non-demented older adults. Neurobiology of Aging, 42, 91–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.02.032
  • Sapkota, S., Wiebe, S.A., Small, B.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2016). Apolipoprotein E and Clusterin can magnify effects of personality vulnerability on declarative memory performance in non-demented older adults. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(5), 502–509. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.4355
  • Thibeau, S., McFall, G.P., Wiebe, S.A., Anstey, K.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2016). Genetic factors moderate everyday physical activity effects on executive function in aging: Evidence from the Victoria Longitudinal Study. Neuropsychology, 30(1), 6–17. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000217
  • McFall, G.P., Wiebe, S.A., Vergote, D., Anstey, K.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2015). Alzheimer’s genetic risk intensifies neurocognitive slowing associated with diabetes in non-demented older adults. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment, & Disease Monitoring, 1(4), 395–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadm.2015.08.002
  • McFall, G.P., Wiebe, S.A., Vergote, D., Westaway, D., Jhamandas, J., Bäckman, L., & Dixon, R.A. (2015). ApoE and pulse pressure interactively influence level and change in the aging of episodic memory: Protective effects among ε2 carriers. Neuropsychology, 29, 388–401. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000150
  • Sapkota, S., Vergote, D., Westaway, D., Jhamandas, J., & Dixon, R.A. (2015). Synergistic associations of COMT and BDNF with executive function in aging are selective and modified by APOE. Neurobiology of Aging, 36, 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.06.020
  • DeCarlo, C.A., Tuokko, H.A., Williams, D., Dixon, R.A., & MacDonald, S.W.S. (2014). BioAge: Toward a multi-determined, mechanistic account of cognitive aging. Ageing Research Reviews, 18, 95–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2014.09.003
  • Dixon, R.A., DeCarlo, C.A., MacDonald, S.W.S., Vergote, D., Jhamandas, J., & Westaway, D. (2014). APOE and COMT polymorphisms are complementary biomarkers of status, stability, and transitions in normal aging and early mild cognitive impairment. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6, Article 236. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00236
  • McFall, G.P., Wiebe, S.A., Vergote, D., Jhamandas, J., Westaway, D., & Dixon, R.A. (2014). IDE (rs6583817) polymorphism and pulse pressure are independently and interactively associated with level and change in executive function in older adults. Psychology and Aging, 29(2), 418–430. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034656
  • Runge, S.K., Small, B.J., McFall, G.P., & Dixon R.A. (2014). APOE moderates the association between lifestyle activities and cognitive performance: Evidence of genetic plasticity in aging. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 20(5), 478–486. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617714000356
  • McFall, G.P., Wiebe, S.A., Vergote, D., Westaway, D., Jhamandas, J., & Dixon, R.A. (2013). IDE (rs6583817) polymorphism and Type 2 diabetes differentially modify executive function in older adults. Neurobiology of Aging, 34, 2208–2216. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034656
  • Zheng, J., Dixon, R.A., & Li, L. (2012). Development of isotope labeling LC-MS for human salivary metabolomics and application to profiling metabolome changes associated with mild cognitive impairment. Analytical Chemistry, 84, 10802–10811. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac3028307
VLS Affiliate and Trainee Publications and Awards
Shea Andrews, PhD
  • Caballero, H.S., Andrews, S.J., Jhamandas, J.H., Camicioli, R., Masellis, M., & Dixon, R.A. (2025). Integrating polygenic risk scores, modifiable dementia risk factors, and sex as predictors of cohort membership in the Alzheimer’s and Lewy body disease spectra: A COMPASS-ND study. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 21(S7), e108960 (Abstract).
  • Caballero. H.S., Vergote, D., Andrews, S.J., Jhamandas, J.H., Chertkow, H., Camicioli, R., Masellis, M., & Dixon, R.A. (2024). Integrating data-driven polygenic risk scores, vascular health, and sex in dynamic Alzheimer’s and Lewy body biomarker networks: Precision prediction of cognitive change and clinical status in the Victoria Longitudinal and COMPASS-ND studies. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 27(3), 351 (Abstract).
  • Caballero, S., McFall, G.P., Heal, M., Vergote, D., Andrews, S., Jhamandas, J., Westaway, D., Masellis, M., & Dixon, R.A. (2023). Do polygenic risk scores representing Alzheimer’s disease global risk or specific mechanisms predict non-demented memory aging trajectories differentially in females and males? Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 26(1), 206 (Abstract).
  • Peters, R., Yasar, S., Anderson, C., Andrews, S.J., ... Dixon, R.A., ... McFall, G.P., ... & Anstey, K.J. (2020). Investigation of antihypertensive class, dementia, and cognitive decline: A meta-analysis. Neurology, 94(3), e267–e281.
  • Andrews, S.J., McFall, G.P., Booth, A., Dixon, R.A., & Anstey, K.J. (2019). Association of Alzheimer's disease genetic risk loci with cognitive performance and decline: A systematic review. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 69, 1109–1136.
  • Andrews, S.J., McFall, G.P., Dixon, R.A., & Anstey, K.J. (2019). Alzheimer's environmental and genetic risk scores are differentially associated with general cognitive ability and dementia severity. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders, 33, 95–103.
  • McDermott, K., McFall, G.P., Andrews, S.J., Anstey, K.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2017). Memory resilience to Alzheimer's genetic risk: Sex effects in predictor profiles. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 72(6), 937–946.
Allison Bielak, PhD
  • Bielak, A.A.M., Hultsch, D.F., Strauss, E., MacDonald, S.W.S., & Hunter, M.A. (2010). Intraindividual variability in reaction time predicts cognitive outcomes 5 years later. Neuropsychology, 24(6), 731–741.
  • Bielak, A.A.M., Hultsch, D.F., Strauss, E., MacDonald, S.W.S., & Hunter, M.A. (2010). Intraindividual variability is related to cognitive change in older adults: Evidence for within-person coupling. Psychology and Aging, 25(3), 575–586.
  • Hultsch, D.F., Bielak, A.A.M., Crow, C.B., & Dixon, R.A. (2009). The way we were: Perceptions of past memory change in older adults. In H.B. Bosworth & C. Hertzog (Eds.), Cognition in aging: Methodologies and applications (pp. 197–216). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
  • Bielak, A.A.M., Hultsch, D.F., Levy-Ajzenkopf, J., MacDonald, S.W.S., Hunter, M.A., & Strauss, E. (2007). Short-term changes in general and memory-specific control beliefs and their relationship to cognition in younger and older adults. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 65(1), 53–71.
  • Bielak, A.A.M., Hughes, T.F., Small, B.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2007). It's never too late to engage in lifestyle activities: Significant concurrent but not change relationships between lifestyle activities and cognitive speed. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 62B, 331–339.
  • Strauss, E., Bielak, A.A.M., Bunce, D., Hunter, M.A., & Hultsch, D.F. (2007). Within-person variability in response speed as an indicator of cognitive impairment in older adults. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, 14(6), 608–630.
  • Bielak, A.A.M., Mansueti, L., Strauss, E., & Dixon, R.A. (2006). Performance on the Hayling and Brixton tests in older adults: Norms and correlates. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 21, 141–149.
Linzy Bohn, PhD
  • 2026 Instructor in Aging, Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease
  • 2022 Poster Award (Postdoctoral Category) at the Virtual CCNA Science Day Conference
  • 2020 Gyro Club of Edmonton Graduate Scholarship — Doctoral Level
  • 2020 Thelma R. Scambler Scholarship
  • 2019 International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development Graduate Scholarship
  • 2019 President's Doctoral Prize of Distinction
  • 2018 President's Doctoral Prize of Distinction
  • 2017–2020 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship
Sebastian Caballero, PhD
  • 2024 Instructor in Aging, Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease
  • 2019 SynAD Award for Enhancing Training Capacity in ADRD
  • 2018 Government of Alberta Graduate Student Scholarship
  • 2018 Poster Award at the Campus Alberta Neuroscience International Conference on Promoting Healthy Brain Aging and Preventing Dementia: Research and Translation
  • 2018 University of Alberta Graduate Student Association Graduate Student Research Assistant Award
Anna-Lisa Cohen, PhD
  • Cohen, A.-L., Kantner, J., Dixon, R.A., & Lindsay, D.S. (2011). The intention interference effect: The difficulty of ignoring what you intend to do. Experimental Psychology, 58, 425–433.
  • Cohen, A.-L., Dixon, R.A., & Lindsay, D.S. (2005). The intention interference effect and aging: Similar magnitude of effects for young and old adults. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 19, 1177–1197.
  • MacDonald, S.W.S., Dixon, R.A., Cohen, A.-L., & Hazlitt, J.E. (2004). Biological age and 12-year cognitive change in older adults: Findings from the Victoria Longitudinal Study. Gerontology, 50, 64–81.
  • Cohen, A.-L., Dixon, R.A., Lindsay, D.S., & Masson, M.E.J. (2003). The effect of perceptual distinctiveness on the prospective and retrospective components of prospective memory in young and old adults. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 57, 274–289.
  • Dixon, R.A., & Cohen, A.-L. (2003). Cognitive development in adulthood. In R.M. Lerner, M.A. Easterbrooks, & J. Mistry (Eds.), Comprehensive handbook of psychology, Vol. 6: Developmental psychology (pp. 443–461). New York: John Wiley.
  • Dixon, R.A., Hopp, G.A., Cohen, A.-L., de Frias, C.M., & Bäckman, L. (2003). Self-reported memory compensation: Similar patterns in Alzheimer's disease and very old adult samples. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 25, 382–390.
Correne DeCarlo, PhD
  • MacDonald, S.W.S., Hundza, S., Love, J., DeCarlo, C.A., Halliday, D.W., Brewster, P.W., Lukyn, T.V., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2017). Concurrent indicators of gait velocity and variability are associated with 25-year cognitive change: A retrospective longitudinal investigation. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9, 17.
  • DeCarlo, C.A., MacDonald, S.W.S., Vergote, D., Jhamandas, J., Westaway, D., & Dixon, R.A. (2016). Vascular health, genetic risk and Mild Cognitive Impairment status and four-year stability: Evidence from the Victoria Longitudinal Study. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 71(6), 1004–1014.
  • DeCarlo, C.A., Tuokko, H.A., Williams, D., Dixon, R.A., & MacDonald, S.W.S. (2014). BioAge: Toward a multi-determined, mechanistic account of cognitive aging. Ageing Research Reviews, 18, 95–105.
  • Dixon, R.A., DeCarlo, C.A., MacDonald, S.W.S., Vergote, D., Jhamandas, J., & Westaway, D. (2014). APOE and COMT polymorphisms are complementary biomarkers of status, stability, and transitions in normal aging and early mild cognitive impairment. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6, Article 236.
  • MacDonald, S.W.S., DeCarlo, C.A., & Dixon, R.A. (2011). Linking biological and cognitive aging: Towards improving characterizations of developmental time. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 66B, i59–i70.
Cindy de Frias, PhD
  • de Frias, C.M., Dixon, R.A., & Strauss, E. (2009). Characterizing executive functioning in older special populations: From cognitively elite to cognitively impaired. Neuropsychology, 23, 778–791.
  • de Frias, C.M., Dixon, R.A., Fisher, N., & Camicioli, R. (2007). Intraindividual variability in neurocognitive speed: A comparison of Parkinson's disease and normal older adults. Neuropsychologia, 45, 2499–2507.
  • de Frias, C.M., Dixon, R.A., & Strauss, E. (2006). Structure of four executive functioning tests in healthy older adults. Neuropsychology, 20, 206–214.
  • de Frias, C.M, & Dixon, R.A. (2005). Confirmatory factor structure and measurement invariance of the Memory Compensation Questionnaire. Psychological Assessment, 17, 168–178.
Sanda Dolcos, PhD
  • Katsumi, Y., Dolcos, S., Dixon, R.A., Fabiani, M., Stine-Morrow, E.A.L., & Dolcos, F. (2020). Immediate and long-term effects of emotional suppression in aging: A functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation. Psychology and Aging, 35(5), 676–696.
  • Dolcos, S., Katsumi, Y., & Dixon, R.A. (2014). The role of arousal in the spontaneous regulation of emotions in healthy aging: An fMRI investigation. Frontiers in Psychology: Emotion Science, 5(681), 1–12.
  • Dixon, R.A., McFall, G.P., Whitehead, B.P., & Dolcos, S. (2013). Cognitive development in adulthood and aging. In R.M. Lerner, M.A. Easterbrooks, & J. Mistry (Eds.), Handbook of psychology: Vol. 6 Developmental psychology (2nd ed., pp. 451–474). Editor-in-chief: I.B. Weiner. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  • Dolcos, S., MacDonald, S.W.S., Braslavsky, A., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2012). Mild cognitive impairment is associated with selected functional markers: Integrating concurrent, longitudinal, and stability effects. Neuropsychology, 26, 209–223.
  • Dolcos, S., Sung, K., Denkova, E., Dixon, R.A., & Dolcos, F. (2011). Brain imaging investigation of the neural correlates of emotion regulation. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 54, e2430.
  • McFall, G.P., Geall, B.P., Fischer, A.L., Dolcos, S., & Dixon, R.A. (2010). Testing covariates of Type 2 diabetes-cognition associations in older adults: Moderating or mediating effects? Neuropsychology, 24, 547–562.
Shannon Drouin, PhD
  • 2024–2025 Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • 2023 Instructor in Aging, Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease
  • 2022 Dallas Treit Graduate Research Award in Psychology
  • 2021 Brendan Gail Rule Graduate Scholarship
  • 2021 Poster Award at the Virtual CCNA Science Day Conference
  • 2020 Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship
  • 2020–2023 Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship — Data-Enabled Innovation
  • 2020 Brendan Gail Rule Graduate Scholarship
  • 2020 International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development Graduate Scholarship
  • 2019 Alberta Excellence Graduate Scholarship
  • 2019 Brendan Gail Rule Scholarship
  • 2019 CIHR-CCNA Travel Award to attend CCNA Science Days
  • 2018 ASC-CCNA (Alzheimer's Society of Canada - Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging) Poster Award in the Postdoctoral Category at the CCNA Science Day, Toronto, ON
  • 2018 Brendan Gail Rule Graduate Scholarship
  • 2018 Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship
  • McFall, G.P., Bohn, L., Drouin, S.M., Gee, M., Fah, H., Han, W., Li, L., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2023). Identifying key multi-modal predictors of incipient dementia in Parkinson's disease: A machine learning analysis and Tree SHAP interpretation. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 15, Article 1124232.
  • Drouin, S., McFall, G.P., & Dixon, R.A. (2022). Subjective memory concerns, poor vascular health, and male sex predict exacerbated memory decline trajectories: An integrative data-driven class and prediction analysis. Neuropsychology, 36(2), 128–139.
  • Drouin, S.M., McFall, G.P., Potvin, O., Bellec, P., Masellis, M., Duchesne, S., & Dixon, R.A. for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (2022). Data-driven analyses of longitudinal hippocampal imaging trajectories: Discrimination and biomarker prediction of change classes. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 88, 97–115.
  • Drouin, S.M., McFall, G.P., & Dixon, R.A. (2020). In multiple facets of Subjective Memory Decline sex moderates memory predictions. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 12(1), e12089.
Harrison Fah, MSc
  • Fah, H., Greiner, R., Bennett, D.A., & Dixon, R.A. (2026). Estimating delays in Alzheimer’s disease onset from risk factor modification using reinforcement learning: A ROSMAP study. (Submitted for Publication)
  • Fah, H., Greiner, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2026). Temporally consistent survival prediction for non-uniform longitudinal data. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 176, 104996.
  • Fah, H., Bohn, L., Greiner, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2025). Comparing machine learning classifier models in discriminating cognitively unimpaired older adults from three clinical cohorts in the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum: Demonstration analyses in the COMPASS-ND study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 17, Article 1542514.
Ashley Fischer, PhD
  • McFall, G.P., Geall, B.P., Fischer, A.L., Dolcos, S., & Dixon, R.A. (2010). Testing covariates of Type 2 diabetes-cognition associations in older adults: Moderating or mediating effects? Neuropsychology, 24, 547–562.
  • Fischer, A.L., de Frias, C.M., Yeung, S.E., & Dixon, R.A. (2009). Short-term longitudinal trends in cognitive performance in older adults with Type 2 diabetes. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 31, 809–822.
  • Yeung, S.E., Fischer, A.L., & Dixon, R.A. (2009). Exploring effects of Type 2 diabetes on cognitive functioning in older adults. Neuropsychology, 23, 1–9.
Lisa Gagnon, MD
  • Gagnon, L.M., & Dixon, R.A. (2008). Remembering and retelling stories in individual and collaborative contexts. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 22, 1275–1297.
  • Dixon, R.A., Gagnon, L.M., & Crow, C.B. (1998). Collaborative memory accuracy and distortion: Performance and beliefs. In M.J. Intons-Peterson & D. Best (Eds.), Memory distortion and their prevention (pp. 63–88). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Douglas Garrett, PhD
  • Dixon, R.A., Garrett, D.D., & Bäckman, L. (2008). Principles of compensation in cognitive neuroscience and neurorehabilitation. In D.T. Stuss, G. Winocur, & I.H. Robertson (Eds.), Cognitive neurorehabilitation (2nd ed.; pp. 22–38). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Dixon, R.A., Garrett, D.D., Lentz, T.L., MacDonald, S.W.S., Strauss, E., & Hultsch, D.F. (2007). Neurocognitive markers of cognitive impairment: Exploring the roles of speed and inconsistency. Neuropsychology, 21, 381–399.
Odette Gould, PhD
  • Dixon, R.A., & Gould, O.N. (1998). Younger and older adults collaborating and retelling everyday stories. Applied Developmental Science, 2, 160–171.
  • Gould, O.N., & Dixon, R.A. (1997). Recall of medication instructions by young and elderly adult women: Is overaccommodative speech helpful? Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 16, 50–69.
  • Dixon, R.A., & Gould, O.N. (1996). Adults telling and retelling stories collaboratively. In P.B. Baltes & U.M. Staudinger (Eds.), Interactive minds: Life-span perspectives on the social foundation of cognition (pp. 221–241). New York: Cambridge University Press.
  • Gould, O.N., Kurzman, D., & Dixon, R.A. (1994). Communication during prose recall conversations by young and old dyads. Discourse Processes, 17, 149–165.
  • Gould, O.N., & Dixon, R.A. (1993). How we spent our vacation: Collaborative storytelling by young and old adults. Psychology and Aging, 8, 10–17.
  • Gould, O.N., Trevithick, L., & Dixon, R.A. (1991). Adult age differences in elaborations produced during prose recall. Psychology and Aging, 6, 93–99.
Mackenzie Heal, MSc
  • 2023 Press Release for Article in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Entitled, "Bridging Integrator 1 (BIN1, rs6733839) and sex are moderators of vascular health predictions of memory aging trajectories."  Click Here to View
  • 2021 Poster Award at the Virtual Promoting Healthy Brain Aging and Preventing Dementia: Research and Translation International Conference
  • Heal, M., McFall, G.P., Vergote, D., Jhamandas, J.H., Westaway, D., & Dixon, R.A. (2022). Bridging Integrator 1 (BIN1, rs6733839) and sex are moderators of vascular health predictions of memory aging trajectories. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 89, 265–281.
Scott Maitland, PhD
  • Dixon, R.A., Wahlin, Å., Maitland, S.B., Hultsch, D.F., Hertzog, C., & Bäckman, L. (2004). Episodic memory change in late adulthood: Generalizability across samples and performance indices. Memory & Cognition, 32, 768–778.
  • Maitland, S.B., Herlitz, A., Nyberg, L., Bäckman, L., & Nilsson, L.-G. (2004). Selective sex differences in declarative memory. Memory & Cognition, 32, 1160–1169.
  • Nyberg, L., Maitland, S.B., Rönnlund, M., Bäckman, L., Dixon, R.A., Wahlin, Å., & Nilsson, L.-G. (2003). Selective adult age differences in an age-invariant multi-factor model of declarative memory. Psychology and Aging, 18, 149–160.
  • Wahlin, Å., Maitland, S.B., Bäckman, L., & Dixon, R.A. (2003). Interrelations between subjective health and episodic memory change in Swedish and Canadian samples of older adults. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 57, 21–36.
  • Hultsch, D.F., MacDonald, S.W.S., Hunter, M.A., Maitland, S.B., & Dixon, R.A. (2002). Sampling and generalizability in psychological research on aging: Comparison of a random sample and samples of convenience. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 26, 345–359.
  • Dixon, R.A., de Frias, C.M., & Maitland, S.B. (2001). Memory in midlife. In M.E. Lachman (Ed.), Handbook of midlife development (pp. 248–278). New York: John Wiley.
  • Maitland, S.B., Dixon, R.A., Hultsch, D.F., & Hertzog, C. (2001). Well-being as a moving target: Measurement equivalence of the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 56B, P69–77.
Kirsty McDermott, MSc
  • 2016 Outstanding Student Poster at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference
  • McFall, G.P., McDermott, K.L., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Modifiable risk factors discriminate memory trajectories in non-demented aging: Precision factors and targets for promoting healthier brain aging and preventing dementia? Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 70, S101–S118.
  • McDermott, K., McFall, G.P., Andrews, S.J., Anstey, K.J., & Dixon, R.A. (2017). Memory resilience to Alzheimer's genetic risk: Sex effects in predictor profiles. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 72(6), 937–946.
  • McFall, G.P., Sapkota, S., McDermott, K.L., & Dixon, R.A. (2016). Risk-reducing apolipoprotein E and clusterin genotypes protect against the consequences of poor vascular health on executive function performance and change in non-demented older adults. Neurobiology of Aging, 42, 91–100.
Leslie McDonald-Miszczak, PhD
  • McDonald-Miszczak, L., Hubley, A.M., & Hultsch, D.F. (1996). Age differences in recall and predicting recall of action events and words. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 51B(2), P81–P90.
  • McDonald-Miszczak, L., Hertzog, C., & Hultsch, D.F. (1995). Stability and accuracy of metamemory in adulthood and aging: A longitudinal analysis. Psychology and Aging, 10(4), 553–564.
  • McDonald-Miszczak, L., Hunter, M.A., & Hultsch, D.F. (1994). Adult age differences in predicting memory performance: The effects of normative information and task experience. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology / Revue canadienne de psychologie expérimentale, 48(1), 95–118.
  • Hultsch, D.F., Hertzog, C., Small, B.J., McDonald-Miszczak, L., & Dixon, R.A. (1992). Short-term longitudinal change in cognitive performance in later life. Psychology and Aging, 7, 571–584.
G. Peggy McFall, PhD
  • 2019 Press Release for Article in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Entitled, "Modifiable Risk Factors Discriminate Memory Trajectories in Non-Demented Precision Factors and Targets for Promoting Healthier Brain Aging and Preventing Dementia?"  Click Here to View
  • 2018 ASC-CCNA (Alzheimer's Society of Canada - Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging) poster award in the Postdoctoral category at the CCNA Science Day, Toronto, ON
  • 2017 ASC-CCNA (Alzheimer's Society of Canada - Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging) Poster Award in the Postdoctoral category at the CCNA Science Day, Toronto, ON
  • 2017 Connie Varnhagen Excellence in Teaching Psychology Award, University of Alberta
Shraddha Sapkota, PhD
  • 2017–2019 Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Alzheimer Society of Canada (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto)
  • 2017 Postdoctoral Fellow, Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (University of Alberta)
  • 2014 Emerging Scholar Award from the Gerontological Society of America
  • Sapkota, S., McFall, G.P., Masellis, M., & Dixon, R.A. (2021). A multimodal risk network predicts executive function trajectories in non-demented aging. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13, Article 621023.
  • Sapkota, S., & Dixon, R.A. (2018). A network of genetic effects on non-demented cognitive aging: Alzheimer’s genetic risk (CLU + CR1 + PICALM) intensifies cognitive aging genetic risk (COMT + BDNF) selectively for APOE ε4 carriers. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 62(2), 887–900.
  • Sapkota, S., Huan, T., Tran, T., Zheng, J., Camicioli, R., Li, L., & Dixon, R.A. (2018). Alzheimer's biomarkers from multiple modalities selectively discriminate clinical status: Relative importance of salivary metabolomics panels, genetic, lifestyle, cognitive, functional health, and demographic risk markers. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 10, 296.
Sheri Thibeau, PhD
  • 2019/2020 Instructor in Aging, Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease
  • 2018 Poster Award at the Campus Alberta Neuroscience International Conference on Promoting Healthy Brain Aging and Preventing Dementia: Research and Translation
  • 2018 Queen Elizabeth II Doctoral Scholarship
  • 2017 ASC-CCNA (Alzheimer's Society of Canada - Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging) Poster Award in the PhD Category at the CCNA Science Day, Toronto, ON
  • Thibeau, S., McDermott, K.L., McFall, G.P., Rockwood, K., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Frailty effects on non-demented cognitive trajectories are moderated by sex and Alzheimer's genetic risk. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, 11, 55.
  • Thibeau, S., McFall, G.P., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2019). Physical activity and mobility differentially predict non-demented executive function trajectories: Do sex and APOE moderate these associations? Gerontology, 65, 640–648.
  • Thibeau, S., McFall, G.P., Camicioli, R., & Dixon, R.A. (2017). Alzheimer's disease biomarkers interactively influence physical activity, mobility, and cognition associations in a non-demented aging population. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 60(1), 69–86.
Bonnie Whitehead, MSc
  • Dixon, R.A., McFall, G.P., Whitehead, B.P., & Dolcos, S. (2013). Cognitive development in adulthood and aging. In R.M. Lerner, M.A. Easterbrooks, & J. Mistry (Eds.), Handbook of psychology: Vol. 6 Developmental psychology (2nd ed., pp. 451–474). Editor-in-chief: I.B. Weiner. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  • Whitehead, B.P., Dixon, R.A., Hultsch, D.F., & MacDonald, S.W.S. (2011). Are neurocognitive speed and inconsistency similarly affected in Type 2 diabetes? Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 33, 647–657.
  • McFall, G.P., Geall, B.P., Fischer, A.L., Dolcos, S., & Dixon, R.A. (2010). Testing covariates of Type 2 diabetes-cognition associations in older adults: Moderating or mediating effects? Neuropsychology, 24, 547–562.
  • McFall, G.P., Geall, B., & Dixon, R.A. (2009). Is Type 2 diabetes associated with cognitive deficits in older adults? AAGMag, 26(2), 12–15.
Sophie Yeung, PhD
  • Fischer, A.L., de Frias, C.M., Yeung, S.E., & Dixon, R.A. (2009). Short-term longitudinal trends in cognitive performance in older adults with Type 2 diabetes. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 31, 809–822.
  • Yeung, S.E., Fischer, A.L., & Dixon, R.A. (2009). Exploring effects of Type 2 diabetes on cognitive functioning in older adults. Neuropsychology, 23, 1–9.
Passages
  • Esther Strauss
    We regret that our eminent colleague and cherished friend, Esther Strauss, passed away in June 2009. An internationally recognized neuropsychology authority, she was a major contributor to the VLS initiatives in that area for many years. Her loss is felt in many other dimensions as well. (Photo by RAD in Hawaii, while attending the International Neuropsychological Society conference.)
  • Lars-Göran Nilsson: Lars-Göran made many prodigious and influential contributions to Swedish psychology and international memory research. He collaborated with Roger Dixon and Lars Bäckman in a VLS-Betula STINT project that included joint meetings in Canada and Sweden, as well as many collaborations.
  • Terry Perkins: We are saddened to learn of the passing of our former Victoria lab coordinator and research assistant. Terry's friendliness and professionalism were legendary among VLS participants and colleagues, with whom he worked for almost two decades.
  • Peggy McFall retired from her positions as Research Associate (University of Alberta) and Assistant Director (VLS) in May 2023. We wish her every success in her new life activities. We will miss her cheerful energy, broad expertise and supportive spirit.
  • John (Jack) McArdle was a valued friend, collaborator and consultant of the VLS. His passing was marked with profound sadness by friends and colleagues from around the world. The VLS benefited greatly from his prodigious expertise in quantitative modeling of complex longitudinal data.
  • Åke Wahlin: The loss of Åke in 2016 was unexpected and mourned by all Canadian and Swedish VLS collaborators. He was dedicated to our many research collaborations, joint conferences, and neighbourly visits.
  • Dianne Wolcott has long served as one of our friendly and loyal participant coordinators. She retired in 2015 and we wish her well on her many new activities.
  • David Hultsch, after an outstanding academic career, retired from the University of Victoria in 2011. Dave was one of the three founders of the VLS. We are pleased that latest reports have him enjoying life on a small island off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
  • Maureen Pugh was with the VLS from its inception until the early 2000s. Her enormous dedication to the project and to the VLS participants will be missed.