Nikki H. Stricker, Ph.D., L.P.

Location

SUMMARY

Nikki H. Stricker, Ph.D., L.P., investigates cognitive changes in aging, mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Her research focuses on identifying early cognitive markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. She aims to increase access to cognitive assessment through novel digital cognitive assessment tools. Dr. Stricker and her colleagues are also working to enhance early detection and monitoring of cognitive impairment through development and use of novel cognitive measures and refined normative data.

Focus areas

• Remote digital cognitive assessment platform to increase access to cognitive screening. Dr. Stricker's team developed a web-based cognitive testing platform, Mayo Test Development Through Rapid Iteration, Validation and Expansion (Mayo Test Drive). This platform is optimized for unsupervised self-administration of cognitive measures either in clinic or remotely, maximizing accessibility and ease of use. There are no specific device requirements; the platform is optimized for smartphones but can also be administered on tablets and personal computers. Dr. Stricker and her collaborators are examining the acceptability and efficiency of this platform across several populations.

• Validation of a novel computer adaptive self-administered word list memory test. Dr. Stricker and her collaborators are validating a novel memory test self-administered through the Mayo Test Drive platform to determine:

  • Associations with other person-administered neuropsychological tests
  • Associations with AD biomarkers
  • Sensitivity to preclinical AD

  This work is supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health and the Kevin Merszei Career Development Award in Neurodegenerative Diseases Research.

• Diagnostic accuracy and normative data. Dr. Stricker works to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of neuropsychological measures for detection of individuals with subtle cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment and dementia. She is updating normative data for traditional and digital neuropsychological tests and determining what inclusion criteria for normative data yield the most sensitive and specific diagnostic classifications. Completed normative data are available to clinicians and researchers through the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging Data Sharing and Resources.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Stricker's research will help improve the utility and accessibility of cognitive measures in the detection of preclinical AD and in the clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. This will contribute to our ability to identify early diagnostic and prognostic indicators for AD and other dementias, help identify who may benefit most from early intervention, and aid prevention efforts.

Professional highlights

• Kevin Merszei Career Development Award in Neurodegenerative Diseases Research IHO Janet Vittone, M.D., Mayo Clinic Benefactor-Funded Career Development Awards, 2021-2024
• Award R21AG073967, National Institute on Aging, 2021-2023
• Research Grant, Alzheimer's Association, 2018-2021
• Rome Mentor Award, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 2020
• Robert A. and Phyllis Levitt Early Career Award in Neuropsychology, Division 40 of the American Psychological Association, Society for Clinical Neuropsychology, 2018
• Education Advisory Committee Member, Society for Clinical Neuropsychology Division 40, American Psychological Association, 2014-2017
• Mentored Career Development Award, New England Veterans Integrated Service Network, 2013-2015
• Editorial Board Member, Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 2011-2013
• New Investigator Award in Alzheimer's Disease, The Rosalind and Arthur Gilbert Foundation and American Federation for Aging Research, 2010-2013
• Fulbright Fellow, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France, 2001-2002