Kristy Nielson, Ph.D.

Nielson headshot
Kristy Nielson, Ph.D.Marquette University

Cramer Hall, 328 B

MilwaukeeWI53201United States of America(414) 288-1796

Professor

Psychology

Dr. Nielson enjoys volleyball and all things sports, music, guitar, songwriting, cooking, cats and dogs, travel, great food and drink, and Milwaukee Bungalows.

Research Lab: Aging, Imaging and Memory Lab (AIM)

Education

Ph.D., Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1992

Post-doctoral Fellow, Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, University of California, Irvine, 1993-1996 

Courses Taught

Dr. Nielson's teaching interests include experimental psychology and research design; cognition; brain and behavior; adult development and aging; psychopharmacology; and neuropsychology and neurological disease.

Research Interests

Dr. Nielson's research interests include cognition, psychobiology and neuropsychology, specifically related to memory, attention, aging, dementia, and neuroimaging. She studies how aging affects memory, how to predict Alzheimer’s disease using functional MRI, EEG, and risk factors; how memories are enhanced or impaired; the role of emotion processing (specifically alexithymia) in cognition and aging, and methods such as exercise that can enhance cognition and independence in older age.

Professional Experience

  • Active faculty participant in programs in Psychology (B.A., Ph.D.), Cognitive Science (B.S.), and Neuroscience (Ph.D.)
  • Fellow, American Psychological Association
  • Department of Neurology, CTSI and the Center for Imaging Research, Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Extramural research funding from the National Institutes of Health (e.g., National Institute on Aging) and the National Science Foundation
  • Member, Executive Board, Integrative Neuroscience Research Center, Marquette University
  • Lawrence G. Haggerty Faculty Award for Research Excellence, 2018
  • Consulting Editor, Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
  • Founding Member/Executive Board, Alexithymia Research International Alliance (ARIA)
  • Associate Editor, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Associate Editor, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
  • Chief Specialty Editor, Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

Selected Publications

(^current or former graduate students, ~undergraduate students)

  • Luminet, O., Mas, M., & Nielson, K.A. (2026). Why alexithymia matters: a process-based framework for a transdiagnostic approach to psychopathology. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 33(2), 46-50, doi: 10.1037/cps0000332.
  • Liu, Y.Z., Nielson, K.A., & Levenson, C.W. (2026). The role of neurogenesis in cognitive decline during aging. Frontiers in Genetics, 17, 1861909, doi:10.3389/fgene.2026.1861909
  • ^Merchant, J., Purcell, J.M., Callow, D.D., Won, J., Kommula, Y., Rosenberg, S., Wei, Y., Woodard, J.L., Nielson, K.A., Rao, S.M., Durgerian, S., Chen, S., & Smith, J.C. (2025). The functional connectome mediates associations between fitness and cognition in aging. Human Brain Mapping, e70404, p.1-15, doi:10.1002/hbm.70404.
  • ^Mazorow, R.N., Guidarelli, G.H., Bassindale, K.D., Nielson, K.A., & Scheidt, R.A. (2025). Sensorimotor and neuropsychological correlates of reach performance after extended training with augmented kinesthetic feedback: a pilot study. 2025 12th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER), San Diego, CA, USA, 2025, pp. 614-619, doi: 10.1109/NER61569.2025.11588987.
  • ^Paitel, E.R., ^Otteman, C.B.D., ^Polking, M.C., ^Licht, H., & Nielson, K.A. (2025). Functional and effective EEG connectivity patterns in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 17, 1496235 (pp. 1-29). doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2025.1496235.
  • Luminet, O., & Nielson, K.A. (2025). Alexithymia: Toward an Experimental and Processual Affective Science with Effective Interventions. Annual Review of Psychology, 76, 741-69. doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-021424-030718.
  • Cacciamani, F., Nielson, K.A., Hanseeuw, B.J., Gagliardi, G., & Vannini, P. (2025). To know or not to know: Causes and evolution of lack of awareness of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases—volume II. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior, 17, 1568173. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2025.1568173
  • Won, J., Gogniat, M., Kurazumi, T., & Nielson, K.A. (2025). Midlife brain health: understanding brain aging in middle age and effects of interventions to prevent neurodegeneration in late life. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior, 17, 1568500, doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2025.1568500
  • ^Paitel, E.R., & Nielson, K.A. (2024). Inhibitory P300 subprocesses and neural compensation in genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease: the case for temporal-spatial principal component analysis. Psychophysiology, 61(12), December 2024, e14693. doi: 10.1111/psyp.14693.
  • Luminet, O., Nielson, K.A. & Ridout, N. (Eds.) (2024). No Words for Feelings: Alexithymia as a Fundamental Personality Dimension at the Interface of Cognition and Emotion. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Publishers, New York and UK. 168 pages. Google Books link
  • Smith, J.C., ^Callow, D.D., ^Peña, G.S., ^Kommula, Y., ^Arnold-Nedimala, N.A., Won, J., & Nielson, K.A. (2024). Exercise and protection from age-related cognitive decline (doi: 10.1007/7854_2024_501) . In Exercise and Mental Health (Cisler, J.M., Crombie, K.M. & Adams, T.G., Eds), Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, 67. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer E-book: 10.1007/978-3-031-68977-2.
  • ^Evans, S.A., ^Paitel, E.R., ~Bhasin, R., & Nielson, K.A. (2024). Genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease alters perceived executive dysfunction in cognitively healthy middle-aged and older adults. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, 8(1), 267-279. doi: 10.3233/ADR-230166.
  • Nielson, K.A., Venneri, A., Murakami, S. (Eds.) (2024). Insights in neurocognitive aging and behavior: 2022 (E-Book). Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior. doi: 10.3389/978-2-8325-4375-7.
  • Nielson, K.A., Venneri, A., Murakami, S. (2024). Insights in Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior: 2022. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 16, 1361839 (January 16, 2024). doi:10.3389/fnagi.2024.1361839.
  • Venezia, A.C., Borrell, L.R., Nielson, K.A., & Smith, J.C. (2023). Moderate-to-vigorous intensity cycling exercise immediately after visual learning enhances delayed recognition memory performance. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 69, 102498. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102498
  • ^Paitel, E.R., & Nielson, K.A. (2023). Cerebellar EEG source localization reveals age-related compensatory activity moderated by genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Psychophysiology, 60(12), e14395, DOI:10.1111/psyp.14395.
  • Won, J., Nielson, K.A., & Smith, J.C. (2023). Large-scale network connectivity and cognitive function changes after exercise training in older adults with intact cognition and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, May 12, 7(1): 399-413. doi: 10.3233/ADR-220062.
  • Nielson, K.A., McDonough, I.M., Soldan, A. (Eds.) (2023). Insights in neurocognitive aging and behavior: 2021 (E-Book, March, 2023). Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior. ISBN/doi: 10.3389/978-2-83251-720-8.
  • Nielson, K.A., McDonough, I.M., Soldan, A. (2023). Insights in neurocognitive aging and behavior: 2021. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 15, 1147618. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1147618.
  • ^Gonzalez Polanco, P., Mrotek, L.A., Nielson, K.A., Beardsley, S.A., & Scheidt, R.A. (2023). When intercepting moving targets, mid-reach error corrections reflect distinct responses to visual and haptic perturbations. Experimental Brain Research, 241(1) 231-247, doi:10.1007/s00221-022-06515-3.
  • ^Won, J., Nielson, K.A., & Smith, J.C. (2022). Subjective well-being and anterior insular functional connectivity after exercise intervention in older adults with MCI. Frontiers in Neuroscience (special issue, “Preventing Late-Onset Dementia: Mechanisms, Modifiable Risk Factors, and Interventions”), 16:834816, doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.834816.
  • ^Paitel, E.R., & Nielson, K.A. (2021). Temporal dynamics of event-related potentials during inhibitory control characterize age-related neural compensation. Symmetry, 13(12), 2323 (special issue, Cognition, Neuroscience and Asymmetry); doi: 10.3390/sym13122323.
  • ^Won, J., ^Callow, D.D., ^Pena, G.S., ^Jordan, L.S., Arnold-Nedimala, N.A., Nielson, K.A., & Smith, J.C. (2021). Hippocampal functional connectivity and memory performance after exercise intervention in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 82, 1015-1031. doi: 10.3233/JAD-210051.
  • Luminet, O., Nielson, K.A. & Ridout, N. (2021). Having no words for feelings: Alexithymia as a fundamental personality dimension at the interface of cognition and emotion. Introduction to special issue on alexithymia. Cognition and Emotion, 35(3), 435-448. doi: 10.1080/02699931.2021.1916442.
  • Luminet, O., Nielson, K.A. & Ridout, N. (2021). Cognitive-emotional mechanisms of alexithymia: an integrative review. Special issue on alexithymia, Cognition and Emotion, 35(3), 449-487. doi:10.1080/02699931.2021.1908231.
  • ^Correro, A.N., ^Paitel, E.R., ^Byers, S.J, & Nielson, K.A. (2021). The role of alexithymia in memory and executive functioning across the lifespan. Special issue on alexithymia, Cognition and Emotion, 35(3), 524-539. doi: 10.1080/02699931.2019.1659232.
  • ^Callow, D.D., ^Won, J., ^Pena, G.S., ^Jordan, L.S., Arnold-Nedimala, N.A., Kommula, Y., Nielson, K.A., & Smith, J.C. (2021). Exercise training-related changes in cortical gray matter diffusivity and cognitive function in Mild Cognitive Impairment and healthy older adults. Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience, 13: 645258, doi:10.3389/fnagi.2021.645258.
  • ^Kadey, K.R., Woodard, J.L., ^Moll, A., Nielson, K.A., Smith, J.C., and Rao, S.M. (2021). Five-year change in body mass index predicts conversion to Mild Cognitive Impairment or dementia only in APOE ɛ4 allele carriers. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 81(1), 1-11, doi: 10.3233/JAD-201360.
  • ^Elverman, K.H., ^Paitel, E.R., ^Figueroa, C.M., ^McKindles, R.J., & Nielson, K.A. (2021). Event-related potentials, inhibition, and risk for Alzheimer’s disease among cognitively intact elders. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 80(4), 1413-1428. doi: 10.3233/JAD-201559.
  • ^Won, J., ^Callow, D.D., ^Williams, A., ^Awoyemi, A., Faroqi-Shah, Y, Nielson, K.A., & Smith, J.C. (2021). Association between greater cerebellar network connectivity and improved phonemic fluency performance after exercise training in older adults. The Cerebellum, 20(4), 542-555. doi:10.1007/s12311-020-01218-3.
  • ^Paitel, E.R., ~Samii, M.R., & Nielson, K.A. (2021). A systematic review of cognitive event-related potentials in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease. Behavioral Brain Research, 396, 112904; doi:10.​1016/​j.​bbr.​2020.​112904.
  • ^Abraham, M., Seidenberg, M., ^Kelly, D.A., Nielson, K.A., Woodard, J.L., Smith, J.C., Durgerian, S. & Rao, S.M. (2020). Episodic memory and hippocampal volume predict five-year MCI conversion in healthy APOE ε4 carriers. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 26(7), 733-738. doi:10.1017/S1355617720000181.
  • ^Correro, A.N. & Nielson, K.A. (2020). A review of sexual minority stress as a risk factor for cognitive decline in lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender elders. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health, 24(1), 2-19. doi: 10.1080/19359705.2019.1644570.
  • ^Pereira, H.M., Schlinder-Delap, B., Keenan, K.G., Negro, F., Farina, D., Hyngstrom, A.S., Nielson, K.A. and Hunter, S.K. (2019) Oscillations in neural drive explain age-related reductions in force steadiness with a cognitive challenge. Journal of Applied Physiology, 126(4), 1056-1065. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00821.2018.
  • ^Alfini, A.J., ^Weiss, L.R., Nielson, K.A., Verber, M., & Smith, J.C. (2019). Resting cerebral blood flow after exercise training in mild cognitive impairment. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 67, 671-684. doi: 10.3233/JAD-180728.
  • ^Pereira, H.M., Schlinder-Delap, B., Nielson, K.A., & Hunter, S.K. Force steadiness during a cognitively challenging motor task is predicted by executive function in older adults (2018). Frontiers in Physiology, 2 October 2018. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01316.
  • Vermeulen, N., ^Domachowska, I.M., & Nielson, K.A. (2018). Memory and executive functions in alexithymia (Chapter 5, doi: 10.1017/9781108241595.007). In Luminet, O., Bagby, M., and Taylor G.J. (Eds.) Alexithymia: Advances in Research, Theory and Clinical Practice. Cambridge Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108241595.
  • ^Kelly, D.A., Seidenberg, M., ^Reiter, K., Nielson, K.A., Woodard, J.L., Smith, J.C., Durgerian, S., & Rao, S.M. (2018). Differential 5-year brain atrophy rates in cognitively declining and stable APOE e4 elders. Neuropsychology 32(6), 647-653. doi: 10.1037/neu0000444.
  • Nielson, K.A. & ^Correro, A.N. (2017) Post-learning arousal enhances veridical memory and reduces false memory in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 144, 198-207, doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2017.07.009.
  • ^Chirles, T.J., ^Reiter, K., ^Weiss, L.R., ^Alfini, A.J., Nielson, K.A., & Smith, J.C. (2017). Exercise training and functional connectivity changes in Mild Cognitive Impairment and healthy elders. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 57, 845-856. doi 10.3233/JAD-161151.
  • ^Kay, C.D., Seidenberg, M., Durgerian, S., Woodard, J.L., Nielson, K.A., Smith, J.C., & Rao, S.M. (2017). Motor timing intraindividual variability in elders at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology 39(9) 866-875, doi:10.1080/13803395.2016.1273321.
  • ^Reiter, K., Nielson, K.A., Durgerian, S., Woodard, J.L., Smith, J.C., Seidenberg, M., ^Kelly, D.A., and Rao, S.M. (2017).  Five-year longitudinal changes in brain volumes in healthy elders at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 55 (4), 1363-1377. doi:10.3233/JAD-160504.
  • ^Lancaster, M., Seidenberg, M., Smith, J.C., Nielson, K.A., Woodard, J.L., Durgerian, S., & Rao, S.M. (2016). Diffusion Tensor Imaging predictors of episodic memory decline in healthy elders at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 22 (10), 1005-1015; doi:10.1017/S1355617716000904.
  • Smith, J.C., ^Lancaster, M.A., Nielson, K.A., Woodard, J.L., Seidenberg, M., Durgerian, S., Sakaie, K., & Rao, S.M. (2016). Interactive effects of physical activity and APOE e4 on white matter tract diffusivity in healthy elders. Neuroimage, 131, 102-112. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.08.007.
  • ^Reiter, K., Nielson, K.A., ^Smith, T.J., ^Weiss, L.R., ^Alfini, A.J., & Smith, J.C. (2015). Improved cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with increased cortical thickness in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 21 (10), 757-767. doi: 10.1017/S135561771500079X.
  • ^Pereira, H.M., Spears, V.C., Schlinder-Delap, B., ^Yoon, T., Nielson, K.A., & Hunter, S.K. (2015). Age and sex differences in steadiness of elbow flexor muscles with imposed cognitive demand. European Journal of Exercise Physiology, 115(6), 1367-79. doi: 10.1007/s00421-015-3113-0.
  • Rao, S.M., ^Bonner-Jackson, A., Nielson, K.A., Woodard, J.L., Seidenberg, M., Smith, J.C., & Durgerian, S. (2015). Genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease alters the 5-year trajectory of semantic memory activation in cognitively intact elders. Neuroimage, 111, 136-146.  doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.02.011.
  • ^Pereira, H.M., Spears, V.C., Schlinder-Delap, B., ^Yoon, T., Harkins, A., Nielson, K.A., Hoeger-Bement, M., & Hunter, S.K. (2015). Sex differences in arm muscle fatigability with cognitive demand in older adults. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 473 (8) 2568-77, online 2/25/15. DOI 10.1007/s11999-015-4205-1.
  • ^Hazlett (Elverman), K. E., ^Figueroa, C. M., & Nielson, K.A. (2015).  Executive functioning and risk for Alzheimer disease in the cognitively intact: family history predicts Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance. Neuropsychology, 29(4) 582-591. doi:10.1037/neu0000181.
  • ^Dressaire, D., Stone, C., Nielson, K.A., Guerdoux, E., Martin, S., Grouillet, D. & Luminet, O. (2015). Alexithymia impairs the cognitive control of both negative and neutral emotional material in adults: a directed forgetting study. Cognition and Emotion 29 (3), 442-459. doi: 10.1080/02699931.2014.919898.
  • ^Yoon, T., ^Vanden Noven, M., Nielson, K.A., & Hunter, S.K. (2014). Brain areas associated with force steadiness and intensity during isometric ankle dosiflexion in men and women. Experimental Brain Research, 232(10): 3133-3145. 10.1007/s00221-014-3976-z.
  • ^Vanden Noven, M., ^Pereria, H.M., Yoon, T., ^Stevens, A.A., Nielson, K.A., & Hunter, S.K. (2014). Motor variability during sustained contractions increases with cognitive demand in older adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 6:97, doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00097.
  • Smith, J.C., Nielson, K.A., Woodard, J.L., Seidenberg, M., Durgerian, S., ^Hazlett, K.E., ^Figueroa, C.M., ^Kandah, C.C., ^Kay, C.D., ^Mathews, M.A. & Rao, S.M. (2014).  Physical activity reduces hippocampal atrophy in elders at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6:61, 1-7, DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00061.
  • ^Keller-Ross, M.L., ^Pereira, H.M., ^Pruse, J., ^Yoon, T., Schlinder-DeLap, B., Nielson, K.A., & Hunter, S.K. (2014). Stressor-induced increase in muscle fatigability of young men and women is predicted by strength but not voluntary activation. Journal of Applied Physiology 116(7), 767-778. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01129.2013.
  • Nielson, K.A., ^Wulff, L. & ^Arentsen, T.J. (2014). Muscle tension induced after learning enhances long-term narrative and visual memory in healthy older adults. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 109, 144-150. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.01.008.
  •          ^Sugarman, M.A., Woodard, J.L., Nielson, K.A., Smith, J.C., Seidenberg, M., Durgerian, S., Norman, A., ^Hantke, N.C., & Rao, S.M. (2014).  Performance variability during a multitrial list-learning task as a predictor of future cognitive decline in healthy elders. J. of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 36(3), 236-43, doi: 10.1080/13803395.2013.877875.
  • Smith, J.C., Nielson, K.A., Antuono, P., Lyons, J.-A., ^Hanson, R.T., ^Butts, A.M., ^Hantke, N.C., and Verber, M.D. (2013). Semantic memory fMRI and cognitive functioning after exercise intervention in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 37, 197-215. doi: 10.3233/JAD-130467.
  • Seidenberg, M., ^Kay, C.D., Woodard, J.L., Nielson, K.A., Smith, J.C., ^Kandah, C., ^Guidotti-Breting, L.M., ^Novitsky, J., ^Lancaster, M., ^Matthews, M., ^Hantke, N., ^Butts, A., & Rao, S.M. (2013). Recognition of famous names predicts episodic memory decline in cognitively intact elders. Neuropsychology, 27(3), 333-342. doi: 10.1037/a0032226.
  • Smith, J.C., Nielson, K.A., Woodard, J.L., Seidenberg, M., & Rao, S.M.  Physical activity and brain function in older adults at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease (2013). Brain Sciences 3, 54-83; doi:10.3390/brainsci3010054.
  • ^Hantke, N., Nielson, K.A., Woodard, J.L., ^Guidotti-Breting, L.M., ^Butts, A.M., Seidenberg, M., Smith, J.C., Durgerian, S., ^Lancaster, M.A., ^Sugarman, M.A., Matthews, M., and Rao, S.M. (2013). Comparison of semantic and episodic memory BOLD fMRI activation in predicting cognitive decline in older adults. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 19, 11-21.  doi:10.1017/S1355617712000951.
  • Nielson, K.A. & ^Arentsen, T.J. (2012). Memory modulation in the classroom: selective enhancement of college examination performance by arousal induced after lecture. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 98(1), 12-16. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2012.04.002.
  • Woodard, J.L., ^Sugarman, M., Nielson, K.A., Seidenberg, M., Durgerian, S., Smith, J.C., ^Butts, A., ^Hantke, N.C., ^Lancaster, M., ^Matthews, M., and Rao, S.M. (2012). Lifestyle and genetic contributions to cognitive decline and hippocampal integrity in healthy aging. Current Alzheimer Research, 9(4), 436-446. doi: 10.2174/156720512800492477.
  • ^Sugarman, M.A., Woodard, J.L., Nielson, K.A., Seidenberg, M., Smith, J.C., Durgerian, S., & Rao, S.M. (2012). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of semantic memory as a presymptomatic biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease risk. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease, 1822(3), 442-456; doi:10.1016/j.bbadis.2011.09.016.
  • Smith, J.C., Nielson, K.A., Woodard, J.L., Seidenberg, M., Durgerian, S., Antuono, P., ^Butts, A., ^Hantke, N.C., ^Lancaster, M.A., & Rao, S.M. (2011). Does physical activity influence semantic memory activation in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment? Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 193, 60-62. doi: 10.1016/j/pscychresns.2011.04.001.
  • ^Arentsen, T.J., ^Bock, B., and Nielson, K.A. (2011). Individual differences associated with the repeated endorsement of post-event misinformation. In Bertrand, L.M. & Nielson, R.A. (Eds.)  Psychology of Individual Differences (Psychology of Emotions Motivations and Actions), p. 105-122. New York: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN: 978-1-61209-926-2.
  • Smith, J.C., Nielson, K.A., ^Butts, A., ^Hantke, N., Woodard, J.L., Seidenberg, M., Durgerian, S., Rao, S.M. (2011). Interactive effects of physical activity and APOE-e4 on BOLD semantic memory activation in healthy elders. NeuroImage, 54, 635-644. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.07.070.
  • ^Meltzer, M.A. & Nielson, K.A. (2010). Memory for emotionally provocative words in alexithymia: a role for stimulus relevance. Consciousness and Cognition 19, 1062-1068 doi:10.1016/j.concog.2010.05.008.
  • ^English, S. & Nielson, K. A. (2010). Reduction of the misinformation effect by arousal induced after learning. Cognition, 117, 237-242. doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2010.08.014.
  • Woodard, J.L., Seidenberg, M., Nielson, K.A., Smith, J.C., Antuono, P., Durgerian, S., ^Guidotti, L., Zhang, Q., ^Butts, A., ^Hantke, N., ^Lancaster, M., & Rao, S.M. (2010).  Prediction of 18-month cognitive decline in healthy older adults using functional MRI. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 21(3), 871-885, doi: 10.3233/JAD2010091693.
  • Nielson, K. A., Seidenberg, M., Woodard, J.L., Durgerian, S., Zhang, Q., ^Gross, W., ^Gander, A., ^Guidotti, L., & Rao, S.M.  (2010).  Common neural systems associated with the recognition of famous faces and names: an event-related functional-MRI study. Brain and Cognition, 72, 491-498. doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2010.01.006.
  • Nielson, K. A. & ^Meltzer, M. A. (2009). Modulation of long-term memory by arousal in alexithymia: the role of interpretation.  Consciousness and Cognition, 18, 786-793. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2009.06.001.
  • Seidenberg, M., ^Guidotti, L., Nielson, K. A., Woodard, J.L., Durgerian, S., Antuono, P., Zhang, Q., & Rao, S.M.  (2009).  Semantic memory activation in individuals at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.  Neurology, 73, 612-620. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181b389ad.
  • Woodard, J.L., Seidenberg, M., Nielson, K. A., Antuono, P., ^Guidotti. L., Durgerian, S., Zhang, Q., ^Lancaster, M., ^Hantke, N., ^Butts, A., & Rao, S.M. (2009). Semantic memory activation in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.  Brain 132 (8), 2068-2078. doi:10.1093/brain/awp157.
  • Nielson, K. A. & Lorber, W. (2009). Memory modulation by arousal after learning is influenced by arousal predisposition and emotion regulation but not by stimulus valence or arousal. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 92, 70-79. doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2009.03.002.
  • Wright, S.L., Langenecker, S.A., Deldin, P.J., Rapport, L.J., Nielson, K. A., Kade, A.A., Own, L.S., Akil, H., Young, E.A., Zubieta, J.K. (2009). Gender-specific disruptions in emotion processing in younger adults with depression. Depression and Anxiety, 26(2), 182-189.  doi:10.1002/da.20502.
  • Seidenberg, M., ^Guidotti, L., Nielson, K. A., Woodard, J.L., Durgerian, S., Zhang, Q., ^Gander, A., Franczak, M., Antuono, P., & Rao, S.M. (2009). Semantic knowledge for famous names in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Association, 15, 9-18. doi: 10.1017/S1355617708090103.
  • Langenecker, S. A., Zubieta, J. K., Young, E. A., Akil, H., & Nielson, K. A. (2007).  A task to manipulate attentional load, set-shifting, and inhibitory control: Convergent validity and test-retest reliability of the Parametric Go/No-go test.  Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 29(8), 842-853. doi:10.1080/13803390601147611.
  • Langenecker, S. A., Caveney, A., Giordani, B., Young, E. A., Nielson, K. A., Rapport, L., Bieliauskas, L., Mordhorst, M., Marcus, S., Yodkovik, N., Kerber, K., Berent, S., Zubieta, J. K.  (2007). The sensitivity and psychometric properties of a brief computer-based cognitive screening battery in a depression clinic.  Psychiatry Research, 152, 143-154. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2006.03.019.
  • Nielson, K. A., and ^Powless, M. (2007). Positive and negative sources of emotional arousal enhance long-term word-list retention when induced as long as thirty minutes after learning.  Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 88, 40-47. doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2007.03.005.
  • Woodard, J. L., Seidenberg, M., Nielson, K. A., Miller, S. K., Franczak, M., Antuono, P., ^Douville, K. L., & Rao, S. M.  (2007). Temporally graded activation of neocortical regions in response to memories of different ages.  Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 19(7), 1-12. doi: 10.1162/jocn.2007.19.7.1113.
  • Langenecker, S. A., ^Briceño, E. M., ^Hamid, N. M., & Nielson, K. A. (2007).  An evaluation of distinct volumetric and functional MRI contributions toward understanding age and task performance: a study in the basal ganglia.  Brain Research, 1158, 58-68. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.11.068.
  • Nielson, K. A., ^Douville, K.L., Seidenberg, M., Woodard, J.L., ^Miller, S.K., Antuono, P., Franczak, M., & Rao, S.M. (2006).  Age-related functional recruitment during the recognition of famous names: an event-related fMRI study. Neurobiology of Aging, 27, 1494-1504. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2005.08.022.
  • Nielson, K. A., & ~Bryant, T. (2005).  The effects of non-contingent extrinsic and intrinsic rewards on memory consolidation.  Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 84, 42-48. doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2005.03.004.
  • Nielson, K. A., ~Yee, D., & ~Erickson, K. I. (2005).  Memory enhancement by a semantically unrelated emotional arousal source induced after learning. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 84, 49-56. doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2005.04.001.
  • ^Douville, K., Woodard, J. L., Seidenberg, M., ^Miller, S., ^Leveroni, C. L., Nielson, K. A., Franczak, M., Antuono, P., & Rao, S. M. (2005).  Medial temporal lobe activity for recognition of recent and remote famous names: an event-related fMRI study.  Neuropsychologia, 43, 693-703. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2004.09.005.
  • Nielson, K. A., ^Langenecker, S. A., Ross, T. J., Garavan, H., Rao, S. M., & Stein, E. A. (2004). Comparability of functional MRI response in young and old during inhibition. Neuroreport: For Rapid Communication of Neuroscience Research, 15(1), 129-133. doi:10.1097/01.wnr.0000093293.85057.d6.
  • ^Langenecker, S.A., Nielson, K. A., & Rao, S. M. (2004).  fMRI of healthy older adults during Stroop interference. Neuroimage, 21(1),192-200. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2003.08.027.
  • ^Langenecker, S. A., & Nielson, K. A. (2003).  Frontal recruitment during response inhibition in older adults replicated with fMRI. Neuroimage, 20, 1384-1392. doi:10.1016/S1053-8119(03)00372-0.
  • Guastello, S. J., Nielson, K. A., & Ross, T. J. (2002).  Temporal dynamics of brain activity in human memory processes.  Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, & Life Sciences, 6(4), 323-334. doi: 10.1023/A:1019710611408.
  • Nielson, K. A., ^Langenecker, S.A., and Garavan, H. (2002) Differences in the functional neuroanatomy of inhibitory control across the adult life span.  Psychology and Aging, 17(1), 56-71. doi: 10.1037/0882-7974.17.1.56.
  • ^Stone, L. A. & Nielson, K. A. (2001).   Physiological response to arousal and impaired emotional expression in alexithymia.  Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 70, 92-102. doi:10.1159/000056232.
  • Czech, D. A., Nielson, K. A., & ~Laubmeier, K. K. (2000).  Chronic administration of propranolol impairs Morris water maze retention in the mouse.  Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 74, 17-26. doi:10.1006/nlme.1999.3944.
  • Nielson, K. A., Czech, D. A, & ~Laubmeier, K K. (1999).  Chronic administration of propranolol impairs inhibitory avoidance retention in the mouse.  Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 71, 248-257. doi:10.1006/nlme.1998.3873.
  • Victoroff, J. I., Mack, W.J., & Nielson, K. A. (1998).  Psychiatric complications of dementia: Impact on caregivers?  Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 9, 50-55. DOI: 10.1159/000017022.
  • Nielson, K. A., Sandman, C. A., Mulnard, R. A., & Cotman, C. W. (1997).  Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease: Reply to Landi, Bernabei, & Gambassi.  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 45, 654-655. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1997.tb03109.x.
  • Victoroff, J. I., Nielson, K. A., & Mungas, D. (1997).  Caregiver and clinician assessment of behavior disorders: The California Dementia Behavior Questionnaire.  International Psychogeriatrics, 9(2), 155-174. doi:10.1017/S1041610297004316
  • Satou, T., Cummings, B. J., Head, E., Nielson, K. A., Hahn, F. F., Milgram, N. W., Velazquez, P., Cribbs, D., Tenner, A., & Cotman, C. W. (1997).  The progression of ß-amyloid deposition in the frontal cortex of the aged canine. Brain Research, 774, 35-43. doi:10.1016/S0006-8993(97)81684-8.
  • Nielson, K. A., Radtke, R. C., & Jensen, R. A. (1996).  Arousal-induced modulation of memory storage processes in humans.  Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 66, 133-142. doi:10.1006/nlme.1996.0054.
  • Nielson, K. A., ^Nolan, J., ^Berchtold, N., Sandman, C., Mulnard, R. & Cotman, C. (1996).  Apolipoprotein-E genotyping of diabetic dementia patients:  Is diabetes rare in Alzheimer disease?  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 44 (8), 897-904.
  • Nielson, K. A., Cummings, B. J., & Cotman, C.W. (1996).  Constructional apraxia in Alzheimer’s disease correlates with neuritic neuropathology in occipital cortex.  Brain Research, 741(1-2), 284-293. doi:10.1016/S0006-8993(96)00983-3.
  • Shankle, W. R., Nielson, K. A., & Cotman, C. W. (1995).  Low-dose propranolol reduces aggression and agitation resembling that associated with orbitofrontal dysfunction in elderly demented patients.  Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, 9(4), 233-237.
  • Dick, M. B., Nielson, K. A., Beth, R. E., Shankle, W. R., & Cotman, C. W. (1995).  Acquisition and long-term retention of a fine motor skill in Alzheimer's disease.  Brain and Cognition, 29(3), 294-306. doi:10.1006/brcg.1995.1283.
  • Nielson, K. A., & Jensen, R. A. (1994).  Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist antihypertensive medications impair arousal-induced modulation of working memory in elderly humans.  Behavioral and Neural Biology, 62, 190-200. doi: 10.1016/S0163-1047(05)80017-2.

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