University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering
Health Care Engineering Systems Center

Art Kramer, Ph.D.

Art Kramer, Ph.D.
Art Kramer, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Cognitive & Brain Health at Northeastern University

Title: The Influence of Exercise and Physical Activity on Cognitive & Brain Health of Older Adults: A summary and future directions – including an increasing role of AI

Abstract: The presentation will focus on recent research from our laboratory and that of other researchers which has examined the effects of exercise training interventions and physical activity participation on cognitive and brain health.  We will discuss research that has examined changes in brain structure and/or function along with behavioral measures of cognition in interventions, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies lasting from several months to several years.  Study  populations will include middle-aged individuals, and older adults, in addition to a variety of patient groups.  Although the focus will be on training to improve cardiorespiratory fitness we will also briefly cover resistance training as well as multi-modal cognitive and exercise training programs. Multi-modal predictions using machine learning of adherence to exercise regimes and programs will also be discussed.  Finally, the presentation will identify controversies and gaps in the literature and potential solutions, including passive sensors using AI. Authors: Arthur Kramer, Meishan Ai, and Timothy Morris.

Bio: Art Kramer is the Founding Director of the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health and Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University in Boston.  He previously served as Senior VP for Research and Graduate Education at Northeastern University.  He also served as the Director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology and the Swanlund Endowed Chair and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Illinois.

He received his Ph.D. in Cognitive/Experimental Psychology from the University of Illinois. Professor Kramer’s research projects include topics in Aging, Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Human Factors.  A major focus of his labs recent research is the understanding and enhancement of cognitive and neural plasticity across the lifespan.  He is a former Associate Editor of Perception and Psychophysics and is currently a member of four editorial boards.

Professor Kramer is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association, American Psychological Society, a former member of the executive committee of the International Society of Attention and Performance, and a recipient of a NIH Ten Year MERIT Award. He has served on the Presidents Council of Advisors on Science & Technology (PCAST), the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) committee on Cognitive Aging, the Chair of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) workshop on Understanding Pathways to Successful Aging: Behavioral and Social Factors Related to Alzheimer’s Disease, the Global Council on Brain Health, and a multitude of other national and international committees. 

Professor Kramer’s research has been featured in a long list of print, radio and electronic media including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Huffingtion Post, Chicago Tribune, CBS Evening News, Today Show, National Public Radio and Saturday Night Live.