Laura Korthauer
· Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (Research)VerifiedBrown University · Microbiology and Immunology
Active 2011–2026
About
Dr. Laura Korthauer is an Assistant Professor (Research) of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and a clinical neuropsychologist at Brown University Health. Her research focuses on identifying factors that confer risk for or resilience to Alzheimer's disease, utilizing a multi-method approach that includes cognitive neuroscience methods, clinical neuropsychological assessment, functional and structural MRI, electroencephalography (EEG), and pupil measurement to investigate neural and behavioral changes in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. She also explores behavioral interventions aimed at improving health behaviors for dementia risk reduction. Dr. Korthauer received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and completed residency training in the neuropsychology track of the Brown Clinical Psychology Internship Training Program. She further specialized with an Aging and Dementia fellowship at Rhode Island Hospital as part of Brown’s Clinical Neuropsychology Specialty Training Program. Her work has contributed to understanding the neural and genetic factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, including brain network connectivity, electrophysiological markers, and genetic risk factors. Her research is funded by multiple grants, including projects on electrophysiological markers of risk and resilience, culturally adapted health behavior programs, and personalized interventions for midlife adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Research topics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Neuroscience
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Medicine
- Internal medicine
- Statistical physics
- Physics
- Endocrinology
- Mathematics
Selected publications
Reliability and validity of the Rhode Island Mobile Cognitive Assessment Tool
Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring · 2026-01-01
articleOpen access1st authorCorrespondingAbstract INTRODUCTION This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Rhode Island Mobile Cognitive Assessment Tool (RIMCAT), a proctored digital cognitive screening test. METHODS One hundred older adult participants (healthy controls [HC] n = 50; cognitively impaired [CI], n = 50) completed the RIMCAT. RESULTS Test–retest reliability across 4 weeks was excellent. Internal consistency was high. RIMCAT total scores were significantly correlated with the Mini‐Mental State Examination and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale. RIMCAT component scores were significantly correlated with corresponding in‐office neuropsychological measures. Logistic regression analysis of RIMCAT total scores correctly classified 77.9% of individuals as cognitively impaired or cognitively healthy. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an optimal sensitivity of 84.8% and specificity of 79.6%. A second model, including total reaction time, correctly classified 83.2% of cases and resulted in sensitivity and specificity of 84.8% and 83.7%, respectively. DISCUSSION Results supported RIMCAT as an effective digital tool for cognitive screening of older adults in supervised settings.
medRxiv · 2026-01-30
articleOpen access1st authorCorrespondingBackground: This study used qualitative methods to test and refine a framework for educating cognitively unimpaired individuals about their individual risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and intrapersonal health belief factors as part of the TEACH (Tailored Education for Aging and Cognitive Health) intervention. Method: We assessed individuals' ADRD risk factors and health belief concepts. Personalized data were presented individually, followed by a semi-structured phenomenographic interview. Applied thematic analysis was used to identify representative statements, trends, and differences. Results: In N=11 individual interviews with middle-aged and older participants (ages 49-69; 45% women), participants had generally positive experiences of learning their personal dementia risk; the information was perceived to be unsurprising and occasionally consoling. They demonstrated a good understanding of the health belief concepts, including identifying relationships between intrapersonal health beliefs and health behaviors. Participants provided feedback on the visual aids and methods of conveying health belief information. Conclusions: We used qualitative data from individual interviews to refine an explanatory framework for educating individuals about their personalized risk for ADRD and intrapersonal health beliefs that may be barriers or facilitators of health behavior change. The refined TEACH intervention is designed to promote long-term maintenance of target health behaviors in middle-aged adults to mitigate ADRD risk.
Digital Cognitive Assessment in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis: A Scoping Review
2026-01-01
articleOpen accessSenior authorArchives of Clinical Neuropsychology · 2026-02-27
articleSenior authorOBJECTIVE: To understand community-based brain health disparities, we investigated demographic and neuropsychological differences by neighborhood disadvantage in older patients presenting for neuropsychological evaluation. METHOD: This retrospective chart review calculated patients' (N = 529, Mage = 73.5 ± 8.0, Meducation = 13.5 ± 3.2, %female = 61.8, %White = 86.8, %non-Hispanic = 95.3) state-level Area Deprivation Index (ADI) to compare patients from the 20% most disadvantaged (n = 61) to the 80% least disadvantaged areas (n = 468). RESULTS: Patients from disadvantaged areas were less likely to access care (11.5% of sample), had lower educational attainment (p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.60), and were more likely to require a medical interpreter (p < .001, Cramer's V = 0.17). They had lower premorbid baselines (p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.52), had lower performances on tests of processing speed (p = .039, Cohen's d = .30), attention (p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.48), and executive functioning (p = .039, Cohen's d = 0.34), and endorsed more depressive symptoms (p = .026, Cohen's d = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the need for targeted outreach, culturally responsive care, and community-based brain health initiatives to foster cognitive resilience and equitable care access.
Open MIND · 2026-02-25
otherOpen accessSenior authorBackground and Objectives: Knowledge about modifiable risk factors for brain health is low in community samples, especially in rural settings where dementia risk is disproportionally high. To address this disparity, we developed a brief, brain health psychoeducation session for older adults living in rural communities. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term effectiveness of the session, as well as demographic correlates of dementia risk factor knowledge. Research Design and Methods: This single-arm educational session trial consisted of four in-person educational sessions conducted in Arkansas, a rural Southeastern U.S. state. Community-dwelling older adults (N=198, age=75.8±9.8, 75%female, 89.8%White, 70.6% post-high school education) completed questionnaires about brain health risk factor knowledge before and after a 45-minute evidence-based educational session. Attendees also provided feedback regarding session acceptability, perceived usefulness, and motivation for future behavior change. Results: More than 95% of attendees found the session helpful, easily understood, and applicable. Attendees significantly increased their knowledge about brain health risk factors, with large effect sizes (ps<.001, ds=.92-.93). Non-White and low education attendees had lower dementia knowledge pre-session (ps=.003-.046), but these factors were not associated with post-session knowledge gains. Over 90% planned to make a positive behavioral change in the future. Discussion and Implications: A brief, low-burden psychoeducational session is a potentially scalable and inclusive strategy to improve brain health knowledge among rural older adults. Such approaches may help address educational and demographic disparities relevant to cognitive aging and dementia prevention in underserved aging populations.
Open MIND · 2026-02-25
preprintOpen accessSenior authorBackground and Objectives: Knowledge about modifiable risk factors for brain health is low in community samples, especially in rural settings where dementia risk is disproportionally high. To address this disparity, we developed a brief, brain health psychoeducation session for older adults living in rural communities. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term effectiveness of the session, as well as demographic correlates of dementia risk factor knowledge. Research Design and Methods: This single-arm educational session trial consisted of four in-person educational sessions conducted in Arkansas, a rural Southeastern U.S. state. Community-dwelling older adults (N=198, age=75.8±9.8, 75%female, 89.8%White, 70.6% post-high school education) completed questionnaires about brain health risk factor knowledge before and after a 45-minute evidence-based educational session. Attendees also provided feedback regarding session acceptability, perceived usefulness, and motivation for future behavior change. Results: More than 95% of attendees found the session helpful, easily understood, and applicable. Attendees significantly increased their knowledge about brain health risk factors, with large effect sizes (ps<.001, ds=.92-.93). Non-White and low education attendees had lower dementia knowledge pre-session (ps=.003-.046), but these factors were not associated with post-session knowledge gains. Over 90% planned to make a positive behavioral change in the future. Discussion and Implications: A brief, low-burden psychoeducational session is a potentially scalable and inclusive strategy to improve brain health knowledge among rural older adults. Such approaches may help address educational and demographic disparities relevant to cognitive aging and dementia prevention in underserved aging populations.
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology · 2025-08-30
articleObjective This study evaluated the usability of the Rhode Island Mobile Cognitive Assessment Tool (RIMCAT), a proctored digital cognitive screening measure to assess its potential for self-administration. Methods 100 participants (Healthy Controls [HC] n = 50; Cognitively Impaired [CI] n = 50) were recruited, and 90 completed the RIMCAT twice, with verbal prompts when necessary. Participants then completed an exit survey regarding their experience. Results All HC completed the RIMCAT, but four CI individuals could not. Most finished in under 30 min. HC (M = 2.18, SD = 1.93) required significantly fewer prompts during the first RIMCAT administration compared to the CI group (M = 3.82, SD = 2.87). Both groups needed fewer prompts on the second visit, with prompts often related to input methods, button use, and instruction comprehension. Conclusions The RIMCAT shows promise for self-administration, particularly with minor modifications that could improve clarity, interface design, and user experience for optimal usability and self-administration.
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology · 2025-09-26
articleAbstract Objective Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) is characterized by a triad of cognitive, urinary, and gait symptoms and can also manifest with neuropsychiatric symptoms. These symptoms may impact quality of life (QoL) and caregiver burden. We sought to identify the predictors of patient QoL and caregiver burden in individuals with suspected NPH. Method Patients (N=242, M age=74.49±8.66 years, M education=14.40±3.60, % female=37.3, % White=91.3) were evaluated in a multidisciplinary NPH clinic and self-reported information about mobility, urinary symptoms, neuropsychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, and apathy), and QoL. Caregivers reported on burden. Presence of cognitive impairment (binary) was determined via neuropsychological evaluation. Multivariate linear regressions examined the association between mobility, urinary, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms (predictors) and QoL and caregiver burden (outcomes) in separate models. Results Patient QoL and caregiver burden were significantly associated (r=-.492, p&lt;.001). A multivariate model with mobility, urinary, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms as predictors explained 71% of the variance in QoL (R2=0.708); mobility, urinary difficulties, and apathy were significant predictors (β’s=.157-.447, p’s=.001-.046). A replicate model explained 33% of the variance in caregiving burden (R2=0.334), with patient depression and apathy predicting burden (β’s=.304-.321, p’s=.002-.017). Conclusion Patient QoL in iNPH is most associated with symptoms that tend to improve with shunting (i.e., urinary symptoms and gait changes), while caregiver burden is more closely tied to neuropsychiatric symptoms than physical symptoms. Because less is known about post-shunt changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms, despite them being predictors of caregiver burden, future studies should seek to examine treatment response for neuropsychiatric symptoms in iNPH.
Alzheimer s & Dementia · 2025-12-01
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingAbstract Background Digital cognitive screening is poised to improve early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), but existing tools are relatively insensitive to subtle cognitive changes in the preclinical stage of disease. Our digital assessment, the Rhode Island Mobile Cognitive Assessment Tool (RIMCAT), distinguishes cognitively impaired (MCI/early dementia) and unimpaired older adults with high sensitivity and specificity, but it has not yet been examined in the context of AD biomarker status. The goal of this study was to 1) enhance RIMCAT's sensitivity to early/preclinical AD risk by examining four cognitive paradigms sensitive to brain areas affected earliest in the course of disease; and 2) to examine associations between digital assessments and plasma amyloid Ab42/40 levels in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Method Potential participants were cognitively unimpaired older adults currently enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal study of cognitive aging. We invited a random sample ( N = 41) to participate, and 24 individuals ( M age = 73 years, M education = 16 years, 54% male) were enrolled. Plasma samples were analyzed on the PrecivityAD platform to yield an amyloid probability score (APS; based on APOE status and Ab 42‐40 ). Eleven (18% e4 carrier) had an APS < 35, suggesting low amyloid burden, and 13 (92% e4 carrier) had an APS >58, suggesting elevated amyloid burden. Participants completed RIMCAT and four new computerized subtests assessing perceptual discrimination, familiarity memory, feature binding, and response inhibition. Result Participants in the elevated amyloid group performed worse on the RIMCAT and perceptual discrimination, familiarity memory, and feature binding tasks (non‐parametric Mann‐Whitney U tests p 's < .05; medium to large effect sizes, r = .28‐.51) compared to the non‐elevated amyloid group. When examined as a continuous variable across all participants, higher Ab42/40 ratio (less amyloid pathology) was associated with better performance on RIMCAT ( r = .27) and all four new subtests ( r = .23‐.40). Conclusion We demonstrated the preliminary sensitivity of novel digital cognitive screening measures to amyloid burden in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Future research will validate these findings in a larger sample and examine associations with tau and other AD biomarkers.
Value in Health · 2025-12-10
article
Recent grants
Frequent coauthors
- 45 shared
Jennifer Davis
Brown University
- 37 shared
Brian R. Ott
Brown University
- 36 shared
Ira Driscoll
University of Wisconsin–Madison
- 32 shared
Geoffrey Tremont
Providence College
- 28 shared
Rochelle K. Rosen
Miriam Hospital
- 22 shared
Zachary T. Gemelli
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
- 21 shared
Jessica Zakrzewski
VA San Diego Healthcare System
- 19 shared
Elizabeth Awe
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Labs
Korthauer LabPI
Education
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Other, Neuropsychology Track
Brown Clinical Psychology Internship Training Program
Other, Aging and Dementia
Rhode Island Hospital
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