Walter A. Rocca, M.D., M.P.H., studies the causes and consequences of common neurological diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease. He also studies the differences in aging processes between men and women, with special focus on the effects of menopause and estrogen. Thus, Dr. Rocca's work lies at the intersection of neurology, epidemiology, gynecology, endocrinology and aging.
Dr. Rocca uses clinical information collected during routine medical care as well as information collected in special research interviews or exams. This research usually involves groups of subjects with or without a particular disease, taking or not taking a particular drug, or with or without a particular risk or protective factor. The data collected from the study participants are analyzed using epidemiologic or statistical techniques.