Clara Li, PhD
Clinical neuropsychologist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, advancing Alzheimer's and dementia research for Chinese American and other older adults.
Memory, aging, and the communities research overlooks
Dr. Li provides neuropsychological consultations for adults with memory loss and dementia, with a particular focus on Chinese American older adults. She trains Chinese-English bilingual doctoral candidates to administer neuropsychological tests and interpret cognitive data, and her NIH/NIA-funded research works to close the gap in Alzheimer's research for Asian Americans. She earned her PhD in clinical psychology, with a minor in clinical neuropsychology, from Yeshiva University, and completed her internship and fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at Mount Sinai.
Alzheimer's & dementia research for Asian Americans and other minority groups
A comprehensive research program offering memory evaluations — at no charge — primarily for older Asian Americans who speak Mandarin, Cantonese, or English, working to detect, diagnose, treat, and prevent Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in communities long underrepresented in research.
Current trials and cohorts
Asian American & Canadian study
A large collaborative effort studying Alzheimer's across Asian American and Asian Canadian populations.
Memory Support System
A structured approach to help adults with mild cognitive impairment compensate for everyday memory loss.
ENHANCE
Building normative cognitive standards for Chinese elders so dementia is measured accurately across cultures.
ACAD
The Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease — genetic analysis to find risk variants in Asian Americans and Canadians.
MIND
Whether a nicotine patch can improve memory and functioning in adults with mild memory problems.
EXERT
Whether exercise can protect cognition and Alzheimer's biomarkers in older adults with mild memory loss.
Be part of the research
We are looking for individuals who self-identify as Asian American, are 55 or older, and speak primarily Mandarin, Cantonese, and/or English. All evaluations are provided at no cost.
- Clinical interview and medical exam by a memory specialist
- Assessment of memory and thinking with a research coordinator
- Optional research blood draw and neuroimaging
- Annual follow-up visits to track changes over time
Contact the study team
Talking about dementia with the community
Selected recent work
Support the research
Gifts help bring memory care and Alzheimer's research to older adults in communities that have been underserved for too long.
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