Adam Gazzaley, M.D., Ph.D.
Founder & Executive Director - Neuroscape
David Dolby Distinguished Professor - Neurology, Physiology and Psychiatry
Address:
Room 511CUCSF – Mission BaySandler Neuroscience CenterMC 0444, 675 Nelson Rising LaneSan Francisco, CA 94158
Email:
Curriculum Vitae:
Biography:
Dr. Adam Gazzaley obtained an M.D. and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, completed Neurology residency at the University of Pennsylvania, and postdoctoral training in cognitive neuroscience at University of California, Berkeley. He is now the David Dolby Distinguished Professor in Neurology, Physiology and Psychiatry at University of California, San Francisco and the Founder / Executive Director of Neuroscape, a translational neuroscience center engaged in technology creation and scientific research. He designs and develops novel brain assessment and optimization tools to impact education, wellness, and medicine practices. This novel approach involves the development of custom-designed, closed-loop video games integrated with the latest advancements in software (brain computer interfaces, GPU computing, cloud-based analytics) and hardware (virtual/augmented reality, motion capture, mobile physiological recording devices, transcranial electrical brain stimulation). These technologies are then advanced to rigorous research studies that evaluate their impact on multiple aspects of brain function and physiology. This utilizes a powerful combination of neurophysiological tools, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Dr. Gazzaley is also co-founder and Chief Science Advisor of Akili Interactive, a company developing therapeutic video games [On Fast Company’s 2022 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies] and co-founder and Chief Scientist of JAZZ Venture Partners, a venture capital firm investing in experiential technology to improve human performance. Additionally, he has been a scientific advisor for over a dozen companies including Apple, GE, Nielsen, Deloitte, Janssen, and Pepsico, as well as the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. Dr. Gazzaley has filed multiple patents for his, notably his invention of the first video game cleared by the FDA, authored over 160 scientific articles, and delivered over 700 invited presentations around the world. His research and perspectives have been consistently profiled in high-impact media, such as The New York Times, New York Times Magazine, New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, TIME, Discover, Wired, PBS, NPR, CNN and NBC Nightly News. He wrote and hosted the nationally-televised PBS special “The Distracted Mind with Dr. Adam Gazzaley”, and co-authored with Dr. Larry Rosen the MIT Press book: “The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World”, winner of the 2017 PROSE Award in the category of Biomedicine and Neuroscience. Dr. Gazzaley has received many awards and honors, including the Society for Neuroscience – Science Educator Award, a 2020 Global Gaming Citizen Honor and was included in Newsweek's 2021 Inaugural list of America’s Greatest Disruptors. He is a Board of Trustee and Science Council Member and Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences.
Featured Publications:
- Ziegler, D.A, Simon, A.J., Gallen, C.L., Skinner, S., Janowich, J.R., Volponi, J.J, Rolle, C.E., Mishra, J., Kornfield, J., Anguera, J.A., Gazzaley, A. Closed-loop digital meditation improves sustained attention in young adults Nature Human Behaviour (2019)
- Mishra, J., Anguera, J. A., & Gazzaley, A. Video Games for Neuro-Cognitive Optimization Neuron (2016)
- Gazzaley, A. & Rosen, L.D. The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World MIT Press (2016)
- Mishra, J., de Villers-Sidani, E., Merzenich, M., Gazzaley, A. Adaptive Training Diminishes Distractibility in Aging across Species Neuron (2014)
- Chadick, J.Z., Zanto, T.P., Gazzaley, A. Structural and functional differences in prefrontal cortex underlie distractibility and suppression deficits in ageing. Nature Communications (2014)
- Anguera, J.A., Boccanfuso, J., Rintoul, J.L., Al-Hashimi, O., Faraji, F., Janowich, J., Kong E., Laraburro, Y., Rolle, C., Johnston, E., & Gazzaley, A. Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults Nature (2013)
- Clapp, W.C., Rubens, M.T., Sabarwal, J., & Gazzaley, A. Deficit in switching between functional brain networks underlies the impact of multitasking on working memory in older adults Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA (2011)
- Zanto, T.P., Rubens, M.T., Thangavel, A., & Gazzaley, A. Causal role of the prefrontal cortex in top-down modulation of visual processing and working memory Nature Neuroscience (2011)
- Chadick, J.Z. & Gazzaley, A. Differential coupling of visual cortical areas with the default network or frontal-parietal network based on task goals Nature Neuroscience (2011)
- Wais, P., Rubens, M.T., Boccanfuso, J., Gazzaley, A. Neural mechanisms underlying the impact of visual distraction on long-term memory retrieval Journal of Neuroscience (2010)
- Gazzaley, A., Clapp, W., McEvoy, K., Knight, R., D’Esposito, M. Age-related top-down suppression deficit in the early stages of cortical visual memory processing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA (2008)
- Gazzaley, A., Cooney, J.W., Rissman, J., D’Esposito, M. Top-down suppression deficit underlies working memory impairment in normal aging Nature Neuroscience (2005)
- Gazzaley, A., Benson, D.L., Huntley, G.W., Morrison, J.H. Differential subcellular regulation of NMDAR1 protein and mRNA in dendrites of dentate gyrus granule cells after perforant path transection Journal of Neuroscience (1997)
- Gazzaley, A., Siegel, S.J., Kordower, J.H., Mufson, E.J., Morrison, J.H. Circuit-specific alterations of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 in the dentate gyrus of aged monkeys Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA (1996)
- Gazzaley, A., Weiland, N.G., McEwen, B.S., Morrison, J.H. Differential regulation of NMDAR1 mRNA and protein by estradiol in the rat hippocampus Journal of Neuroscience (1996)
Featured Talks / Podcasts:
- Mar 2018 Adam Gazzaley M.D./Ph.D – Improving your brain with medically prescribable video games The Kevin Rose Show
- Jan 2018 Tame Your Distracted Mind with Neuroscientist Adam Gazzaley THE CHASE JARVIS LIVE SHOW
- Aug 2017 After On Podcast #2: Video Games as Medicine? After On Podcast
- May 2017 Here’s How You Can Tame Your Distracted Mind Fortune
- Apr 2016 The Maverick of Brain Optimization Tim Ferriss Show
- Jan 2016 Promise of Tech and the Brain TedxSonoma
- Mar 2014 GTC Keynote Presentation GPU Technology Conference
Featured Press:
- Jun 2019 Algorithm that Tailors Digital Meditation Program Improves Attention and Memory UCSF
- Jul 2018 Adam Gazzaley, MD, PhD: Developing Prescribable Video Games JAMA
- Mar 2018 What is a digital medicine, exactly? Akili co-founder Adam Gazzaley explains MM&M
- Jul 2017 Prescription Video Games May Be the Future of Medicine The Verge
- Feb 2017 Driven to Distraction: Can Too Much Technology Hurt Your Brain The TODAY Show
- Oct 2016 Can video games take your brain to the next level? CNN Health - Vital Signs
- May 2016 A Real-Time Visualization Of Electrical Activity In The Brain Is Here And It’s Beautiful Forbes
- Feb 2016 Can video games help aging brains stay young? The TODAY Show