Graham J. McDougall, Ph.D.
Professor
School of Nursing

CONTACT INFORMATION
Office: 512-471-7936
E-mail: gmcdougall@mail.nur.utexas.edu

WEB PAGE
http://www.nur.utexas.edu/fachome/gmcdougall/gmcdougall.html

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. McDougall's research program emphasizes the frequent complaint of "memory loss" in older adults. The endemic fear of losing one's memory is one of the most widespread complaints about cognitive aging. The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias is clearly greater in females; however, the prevailing belief does not include the widespread occurrence that aging males have significantly greater memory impairment than do females. Cognitive aging and modifying risk factors through health promotion interventions that are targeted to improve cognitive performance and memory self-efficacy has been the primary focus. Dr. McDougall's research and the various projects have been funded from the National Institutes on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health, and/or National Institute of Nursing Research. These findings have been disseminated in peer-reviewed interdisciplinary and nursing journals. The Cognitive Behavioral Model of Everyday Memory (CBMEM), a psychosocial intervention model was tested in a 5-year NIA-funded study which utilized a program-specific operationalization of Bandura's self-efficacy theory The research is being conceptualized and implemented in interdisciplinary teams and has taken on three new dimensions. First, the translation of evidence-based health promotion programs, specifically SeniorWISE into rural communities throughout the State of Arkansas with Drs. Cornelia Beck & Delia West funded through the Centers for Disease Control. Second, the examination of the biological underpinnings of cognitive impairment associated with aging and dementia with emphasis on studying the neural substrates of memory, language and executive function in clinical populations in vivo by utilizing functional neuroimaging (fMRI).Currently, along with Co-Invesigators Haley, A., Tanaka, H., Ress, D., & McDougall, G. J, we are investigating cardiovascular health and brain function in Mexican-American adults at-risk for hypertension. Finally, a new hypothesis to test the potential utility of the CBMEM memory training with breast cancer survivors is in the planning phase.