Leah R. Hanson, PhD
Senior Director, Neuroscience Research, and Senior Investigator, 开云体育 Institute
About

Education and training: PhD, neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Overview/research interests: The prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders; how lifestyle changes, including exercise of the body and mind, can prevent memory loss associated with aging.

Current research activities and funding: The Minnesota Memory Project.
Overview
geographic focus
  • Minnesota  State or Province
    • Affiliation
    positions
    Publications While At 开云体育
    selected publications
    Journal Article
  • Acupuncture treatment for chronic post-traumatic headache in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury: a pilot study. 
    Journal of Neurotrauma. 2025
  • Low-dose intranasal deferoxamine modulates memory, neuroinflammation, and the neuronal transcriptome in the streptozotocin rodent model of Alzheimer's disease. 
    Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2025
  • Confidence in diagnosing and managing care for cognitive impairment in primary care: a survey comparing barriers by primary care clinician type. 
    Family Practice. 2024
  • Identifying racial and ethnic disparities in acute inpatient rehabilitation. 
    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2024
  • Implementation of a clinic-based yoga program for chronic pain. 
    Pain Management Nursing. 2024
  • Improving access to yoga for chronic pain in a Spanish-speaking community: a quality improvement initiative. 
    Pain Management Nursing. 2024
  • Open label pilot of personalized, neuroimaging-guided theta burst stimulation in early-stage Alzheimer's disease. 
    Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2024
  • Implementation and review of the care ecosystem in an integrated healthcare system. 
    BMC Geriatrics. 2023
  • Potentially preventable readmissions after acute inpatient rehabilitation. 
    American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2023
  • Stroke characteristics in a cohort of Hmong American patients. 
    Journal of the American Heart Association. 2023
  • A phase II, single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety and therapeutic efficacy of intranasal glulisine in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and probable mild Alzheimer's disease. 
    Drugs and Aging. 2021
  • Barriers to achieving target door-to-needle time in patients treated with IV thrombolysis. 
    Healthc Res J. 2021
  • Losartan improves memory, neurogenesis and cell motility in transgenic Alzheimer's mice. 
    Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). 2021
  • Nasal oxytocin for the treatment of psychiatric disorders and pain: achieving meaningful brain concentrations. 
    Translational psychiatry. 2021
  • Double-blind placebo-controlled pilot investigation of the safety of a single dose of rapid-acting intranasal insulin in Down syndrome. 
    Drugs in R&D. 2020
  • Intranasal deferoxamine can improve memory in healthy C57 mice, suggesting a partially non-disease-specific pathway of functional neurologic improvement. 
    Brain and behavior. 2020
  • Intranasal delivery of low-dose insulin ameliorates motor dysfunction and dopaminergic cell death in a 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's Disease. 
    Neuroscience Letters. 2020
  • Transforming dementia care through pragmatic clinical trials embedded in learning healthcare systems. 
    Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2020
  • Feasibility trial of a 10-week adaptive yoga intervention developed for chronic pain patients. 
    Pain Management Nursing. 2019
  • From A to D: a unique case report of recovery after longitudinal myelitis related to lupus. 
    American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2019
  • Intranasal coadministration of a diazepam prodrug with a converting enzyme results in rapid absorption of diazepam in rats. 
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2019
  • Quantifying intranasally administered deferoxamine in rat brain tissue with mass spectrometry. 
    ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 2019
  • Solitary bone plasmacytoma compression injury disguised as back pain: a case report. 
    Spinal cord series and cases. 2019
  • Unique case report of a meningeal sarcoma arising during ongoing treatment for progressing intraparenchymal glioma
    2019
  • Pharmacokinetics in rat of P8, a peptide drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: stability and delivery to the brain. 
    Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports. 2018
  • Rescue therapies for seizure emergencies: new modes of administration. 
    Epilepsia. 2018
  • Screening positive for cognitive impairment: impact on healthcare utilization and provider action in primary and specialty care practices. 
    Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2018
  • Intranasal adeno-associated virus mediated gene delivery and expression of human iduronidase in the central nervous system: a noninvasive and effective approach for prevention of neurologic disease in mucopolysaccharidosis Type I. 
    Human Gene Therapy. 2017
  • Intranasal deferoxamine affects memory loss, oxidation, and the insulin pathway in the streptozotocin rat model of Alzheimer's disease. 
    Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2017
  • Intranasal delivery of a novel amnion cell secretome prevents neuronal damage and preserves function in a mouse multiple sclerosis model. 
    Scientific Reports. 2017
  • Oxytocin enhances observational fear in mice. 
    Nature communications. 2017
  • Research priorities to advance the health and health care of older adults with multiple chronic conditions. 
    Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2017
  • Food consumption and activity levels increase in rats following intranasal Hypocretin-1. 
    Neuroscience Letters. 2016
  • Routine cognitive screening in a neurology practice: effect on physician behavior. 
    Neurology. Clinical practice. 2016
  • Can biomarkers differentiate pain and no pain subgroups of nonverbal children with cerebral palsy? A preliminary investigation based on noninvasive saliva sampling. 
    Pain Medicine. 2015
  • Intranasal deferoxamine engages multiple pathways to decrease memory loss in the APP/PS1 model of amyloid accumulation. 
    Neuroscience Letters. 2015
  • . 2008;157:908-25]. 
    Neuroscience. 2014
  • . 2012 Jan 11;8:3]. 
    Molecular Pain. 2014
  • A single-dose pilot trial of intranasal rapid-acting insulin in apolipoprotein e4 carriers with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease. 
    CNS drugs. 2014
  • Intranasally-administered deferoxamine mitigates toxicity of 6-OHDA in a rat model of Parkinsons disease. 
    Brain Research. 2014
  • Intranasal administration of CNS therapeutics to awake mice. 
    Journal of visualized experiments. 2013
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction for family caregivers: a randomized controlled trial. 
    The Gerontologist. 2013
  • Comparison of central versus peripheral delivery of pregabalin in neuropathic pain states: . 
    Molecular Pain. 2012
  • Intranasal deferoxamine improves performance in radial arm water maze, stabilizes HIF-1alpha, and phosphorylates GSK3beta in P301L tau transgenic mice. 
    Experimental Brain Research. 2012
  • Intranasal delivery of deferoxamine reduces spatial memory loss in APP/PS1 mice. 
    Drug delivery and translational research. 2012
  • Intranasal delivery of growth differentiation factor 5 to the central nervous system. 
    Drug delivery. 2012
  • Intranasal delivery of insulin via the olfactory nerve pathway. 
    Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2012
  • Intranasal delivery of siRNA to the olfactory bulbs of mice via the olfactory nerve pathway. 
    Neuroscience Letters. 2012
  • Lysosomal enzyme can bypass the blood-brain barrier and reach the CNS following intranasal administration. 
    Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. 2012
  • Subacute intranasal administration of tissue plasminogen activator increases functional recovery and axonal remodeling after stroke in rats. 
    Neurobiology of Disease. 2012
  • Intranasal phosphoramidon increases beta-amyloid levels in wild-type and NEP/NEP2-deficient mice. 
    Journal of Molecular Neuroscience. 2011
  • Motor end plate innervation loss in diabetes and the role of insulin. 
    Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology. 2011
  • Recruiting and retaining family caregivers to a randomized controlled trial on mindfulness-based stress reduction. 
    Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2011
  • Intranasal delivery of neurotrophic factors BDNF, CNTF, EPO, and NT-4 to the CNS. 
    Journal of Drug Targeting. 2010
  • Protective effects of intranasal losartan in the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer disease. 
    Rejuvenation research. 2010
  • Trigeminal pathways deliver a low molecular weight drug from the nose to the brain and orofacial structures. 
    Molecular Pharmaceutics. 2010
  • Intranasal deferoxamine provides increased brain exposure and significant protection in rat ischemic stroke. 
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2009
  • Intranasal drug targeting of hypocretin-1 (orexin-A) to the central nervous system. 
    Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2009
  • Novel vasoconstrictor formulation to enhance intranasal targeting of neuropeptide therapeutics to the central nervous system. 
    Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2009
  • Delivery of interferon-beta to the monkey nervous system following intranasal administration. 
    Neuroscience. 2008
  • Intranasal tat alters gene expression in the mouse brain J Neuroimmune Pharmacol
    2007
  • Intranasal administration of interferon beta bypasses the blood-brain barrier to target the central nervous system and cervical lymph nodes: a non-invasive treatment strategy for multiple sclerosis. 
    Journal of Neuroimmunology. 2004
  • The window of opportunity for treatment of focal cerebral ischemic damage with noninvasive intranasal insulin-like growth factor-I in rats. 
    Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. 2004
    • Editorial Article
  • The AGING Initiative experience: a call for sustained support for team science networks [editorial]. 
    Health research policy and systems.  16. 2018
    • Conference Paper
  • Changes in physical activity and nutrition in a behavioral intervention pilot study: Passport to Brain Wellness
    2010
  • Improvement of spatial memory in aged APP/PS1 mice with intranasal administration of deferoxamine
    2007
    • Conference Poster
  • Outcomes of an embedded resource and education program for patients and families with memory loss [poster]
    2017
  • Performance on cognitive screening is associated with increased retrospective healthcare utilization [poster]
    2015
  • Pharmacokinetics of a diazepam prodrug/enzyme combination following nasal administration in rats for treatment of seizure emergencies [poster]
    2015
  • Routine cognitive screening in a neurology practice: impact on physician behavior [poster]
    2015
  • The Minnesota Memory Project: baseline data from a longitudinal observational study of aging [poster]
    2015
  • Failure on cognitive screening predicts increased healthcare utilization [poster]
    2014
  • Routine cognitive screening in a general neurology clinic: impact on physician behavior [poster]
    2014
  • Detection of deferoxamine using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization [poster]
    2013
  • Intranasally administered deferoxamine induces neuroprotection in a 6-OHDA model of Parkinson's disease [poster]
    2013
  • Lavender essential oil improved sleep in residents of a memory care assisted living facility [poster]
    2013
  • The effect of intranasal rapid acting insulin on ApoE4 carriers with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease [poster]
    2013
  • Feasibility of the mini-cog as a standardized cognitive screen in 开云体育 patients aged 70 and older [poster]
    2012
  • Intranasal deferoxamine treatment in a rat model of Parkinsons disease: preliminary results [poster]
    2012
  • Pedicle screw fixation in cervical trauma [poster]
    2012
  • Specific types of memory complaints may provide an early warning sign of cognitive impairment in community dwelling older adults [poster]
    2012
  • The 6th Vital Sign Project: does cognitive screening in the elderly population improve clinical care [poster]?
    2012
  • Tractography of the human cervical spine nerve roots [poster]
    2012
  • Nasal delivery of lidocaine decreases carrageenan-induced orofacial pain [poster]
    2011
  • Changes in cognitive function and plasma biomarkers in a pilot trial of a multi-domain intervention to prevent cognitive decline [poster]
    2010
  • Clinical features of autopsy confirmed cases of early and late onset Alzheimer's disease [poster]
    2010
  • Intranasal deferoxamine improves memory and decreases GSK3B activity in C57 mice [poster]
    2010
  • Intranasal lidocaine blocks orofacial pain with few behavioral side effects [poster]
    2010
  • MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) for caregivers of people with dementia: the Balance Study [poster]
    2010
  • The Minnesota Memory Project [poster]
    2010
    • Review
  • Brain glucose hypometabolism and brain iron accumulation as therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease and other CNS disorders [review]. 
    Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). 2025
  • How do researchers identify and recruit dementia caregivers? A scoping review [review]. 
    The Gerontologist. 2025
  • Brain glucose hypometabolism and iron accumulation in different brain regions in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases [review]. 
    Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). 2022
  • Mechanisms of intranasal deferoxamine in neurodegenerative and neurovascular disease [review]. 
    Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). 2021
  • Intranasal insulin: a treatment strategy for addiction [review]. 
    Neurotherapeutics. 2020
  • Oxytocin and migraine headache [review]. 
    Headache. 2017
  • Intranasal treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and stroke [review]. 
    Frontiers in bioscience (Scholar edition). 2012
  • Intranasal delivery to the central nervous system: mechanisms and experimental considerations [review]. 
    Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2010
  • Intranasal delivery bypasses the blood-brain barrier to target therapeutic agents to the central nervous system and treat neurodegenerative disease [review]. 
    BMC Neuroscience. 2008
  • Strategies for intranasal delivery of therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of neuroAIDS [review]. 
    Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. 2007
    • Abstract
  • IMPACT Learning Health Network: transforming care through embedded pragmatic clinical trials in health care settings that serve people with dementia [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2021
  • The NIA IMPACT Collaboratory: transforming dementia care rhrough embedded pragmatic clinical trials [abstract]
    2020
  • Implementation of a mindfulness based dementia-care program within a healthcare system [abstract]. 
    Innovation in aging. 2019
  • Chord Study: the power of music through participation in the giving voice chorus [abstract]. 
    Alzheimer's & dementia. 2018
  • Correlation between evaluation and documentation of neurologic deficit by EMS and ED of patients with acute ischemic stroke [abstract]. 
    Neurology. 2018
  • Analysis of run sheets of EMS serving a metropolitan comprehensive stroke center [abstract]. 
    Neurology. 2017
  • Clinical characteristics and healthcare utilization of Hmong patients presenting with stroke [abstract]. 
    Neurology. 2017
  • Clinical characteristics of Hmong patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke [abstract]. 
    Stroke. 2017
  • Cognitive screening results from the Medicare annual wellness visit in a primary care practice [abstract]. 
    Alzheimer's & dementia. 2017
  • Mindfulness for early Alzheimer's Disease: a pilot study [abstract]. 
    Alzheimer's & dementia. 2017
  • Minnesota memory project: use of the Alberta Smell Test in a longitudinal aging cohort [abstract]. 
    Alzheimer's & dementia. 2016
  • Outcomes from routine cognitive screening in a health care system [abstract]. 
    Alzheimer's & dementia. 2016
  • Outcomes of a dementia resource and education program imbedded in a health care system [abstract]. 
    Alzheimer's & dementia. 2016
  • Delivery of therapeutics via the intranasal route for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases [abstract]. 
    Neurotherapeutics. 2015
  • Changes in physical activity and nutrition in a behavioral intervention pilot study - passport to brain wellness [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2010
  • Impact of mind-body and education-based interventions on physiologic markers of chronic stress in family caregivers of dementia patients [abstract]. 
    Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2009
  • Recruitment and retention of caregivers for patients with dementia: the Balance Study [abstract]. 
    Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2009
  • Intranasally administered deferoxamine improves spatial memory in APP/PS1 mice [abstract] Alzheimers Deme
    2007
    • Document
  • Intranasal delivery of GDF5 lipid nanosphere formulation
    2007
    • Patent
  • Methods for protecting and treating traumatic brain injury and concussion with intranasal insulin
    2021
  • Methods for protecting and treating traumatic brain injury, concussion and brain inflammation with intranasal insulin
    2021
  • Methods for protecting and treating traumatic brain injury, concussion and brain inflammation with intranasal insulin
    2021
  • Methods for treating patients with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia
    2021
  • Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for enhancing targeting of therapeutic compounds to the central nervous system
    2017
  • Lipid growth factor formulations
    2014
  • Method of treating Parkinson's disease comprising administering deferoxamine (DFO) to the upper one-third of the nasal cavity
    2014
  • Treatment of central nervous system disorders by intranasal administration of immunoglobulin g
    2014
    • presentations
    Presentation
  • Challenges in recruiting family caregivers to a clinical trial on MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) for stress reduction [presentation], Gerontological Society of America 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting
  • Identification of multiple chronic conditions that yield the highest impact of cognitive screening [presentation], HMO Research Network (HMORN) 21st Annual Conference: Care Improvement Research: Partnering with Patients, Providers and Operational Leaders
  • Intranasal deferoxamine improves spatial memory through a non-amyloid mechanism in APP/PS1 mice [presentation], Society of Neuroscience Meeting
  • Intranasal deferoxamine prevents memory loss in the intracerebroventricular streptozotocin rat [presentation], International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease Annual Meeting
  • Lavendar essential oil improved sleep in residents of a memory care assisted-living facility [presentation], Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC)
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction for caregivers: a randomized controlled pilot study [presentation], International Congress on Complementary Medicine Research (5th)
  • Proteomic approach to the study of neuroprotection following intranasal deferoxamine [presentation], Society of Neuroscience Meeting
  • The Passport Study: a multi-domain lifestyle intervention to promote healthy brain aging [presentation], International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) (12th)
  • The new HMORN-OAICs AGING initiative [presentation], HMO Research Network (HMORN) 21st Annual Conference: Care Improvement Research: Partnering with Patients, Providers and Operational Leaders
    • Contact
    full name
  • Leah R. Hanson, PhD
    • primary email
    located in facility

    Geographic Focus

    Quick Info
    Publications
    Publications in the past 10 years based solely on publications while at 开云体育. Publications in prior years appear in grey.
    Collaboration
    Contact Information