Health and Kinesiology

Benjamin Tseng, Ph.D.

Title: Associate Professor; Director, Laboratory of Brain Aging
Department: Health and Kinesiology
Building: HPC 2235
Email: btseng@uttyler.edu
Phone: 903.566.7042

Degrees

• University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 
  Ph.D. Rehabilitation Science (Neuroscience), 2009

Postdoctoral Training

• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology & Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital-Institute for Exercise & Environmental Medicine, Dallas, TX
  Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Integrative Physiology 2009-2014

Biography

Serving UT Tyler since 2014, Dr. Tseng is an associate professor and graduate research faculty in the Department of Health & Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Tyler. He oversees the Laboratory of Brain Aging . Additionally, Dr. Tseng serves the Medical Research Committee and Scientific Oversight Committee for the Alzheimer’s Association–Dallas & North East Texas Chapter and the Project Rose Research Institute for Sports Science in Tyler, respectively. He volunteers as the Alzheimer’s community educator, and referees and serves on the editorial board for several clinical journals. He is also an active member of the American Heart Association’s Stroke Council.

“I enjoy empowering learners, myself included, with knowledge,” Dr. Tseng said. “Throughout my career working as a presenter and public speaker in various settings, I always feel privileged to be given the opportunity to influence one’s mind in a constructive way.”

Dr. Tseng’s research is focused on 1) identifying the behavioral markers and early predictors of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia; 2) how exercise benefits brain health, both structurally and cognitively, in older adults and clinical populations such as stroke and AD patients. His innovative quality is evident early in his career. After receiving his doctoral degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center, Dr. Tseng joined the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, a world-renowned research institution with focus in human physiology and medicine, to pursue his postdoctoral training in Integrative Physiology.

Dr. Tseng has a strong background in clinical research with unique abilities in several disciplines including neuroscience, neuroimaging, exercise physiology, and motor control and learning. His work on aerobic training preserving brain tissue using state-of-the-art MRI methods gained nationwide attention in 2011 and provided an alternative strategy to help preserve cognitive health in older adults. In 2012 he was invited to co-author an editorial commentary regarding the use of a novel neuroimaging method to predict stroke outcomes in Neurology, a highly reputable clinical journal. In the following year, Dr. Tseng was awarded the American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2014), a highly competitive 2-year award. In 2015, he received a $154,000 research funding from the American Heart Association (2015-2017) to examine the benefit of aerobic exercise training in reducing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Dr. Tseng referees and serves on the editorial board for several clinical journals. His work has led to several publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals such as Stroke, Neurology, Journal of Applied Physiology, Current Alzheimer Research, Alzheimer & Dementia, NeuroImage, and Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Notably, the National Institute of Health’s Nursing Research Division has recently adopted Dr. Tseng Visual Analog Fatigue Scale protocol in treating chronic stroke patients.

Lab Facebook Page: Laboratory of Brain Aging & Neuromotor Behavior

Alzheimer's Research: Tyler Doctor First in Alzheimer's Research

Stroke Research: UT Tyler Professor Awarded Grant from American Heart Association

Graduate Courses Taught

• Applied Neuroanatomy (OCTH 5300)
• Advanced Motor Learning (KINE 5307)
• Biostatistics (HECC 5317)
• Research Design (HECC 5303)

Undergraduate Courses Taught

• Consumer Health (ALHS 3352)
• Human Motor Control & Learning (KINE 3331)
• Human Motor Control & Learning Laboratory (KINE 3332)

Research Interests

• Physiologic mechanisms of exercise improving/preserving brain structure & cognitive function
• Motor deficits, gait abnormalities and other early behavioral/biomarkers in Alzheimer patients
• Brain white matter integrity in Alzheimer and stroke patients (MRI studies)
• The role of arterial stiffness in maintaining cerebrovascular health

Funding

• 2016-Present. Office of Research & Technology Transfer, University of Texas Tyler – Development of Smart Device Apps to Forecast Early Alzheimer's Disease. Principal Investigator ($9,500.00).
• 2015-Present. American Heart Association – Reduction in Arterial Stiffness and White Matter Burden Reduces Stroke Risk in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Principal Investigator ($140,000).
• 2015-Present. Office of Research & Technology Transfer, University of Texas Tyler – Reduction in Arterial Stiffness and White Matter Burden Reduces Stroke Risk in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation – Pilot Study. Principal Investigator ($9,260.00).
• 2015 (Completed). College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Texas Tyler – Exacerbated Gait Slowing under Dual-Task Conditions Predicts Early Stages of Cognitive Decline in Older Adults.Principal Investigator ($5,000).
• 2013-2014 (Completed). American Heart Association – Exercise Improves Brain Perfusion and Attenuates White Matter Lesions in Ischemic Stroke Survivors. Principal Investigator ($120,544).

Notable Academic Awards

• 2016 -17: Faculty Internal Research Support Program Award, University of Texas at Tyler
• 2015 -17: American Heart Association Beginning Grant-in-Aid Award
• 2015 -16: Faculty Internal Research Support Program Award, University of Texas Tyler
• 2015: Innovative Research Award, University of Texas at Tyler
• 2015: College of Nursing & Health Sciences Intramural Research Award, University of Texas Tyler
• 2015: Faculty and Staff Publications and Presentations Award, University of Texas Tyler
• 2014: Postdoctoral Certificate in Advanced Research, University of Texas Southwestern Med Ctr
• 2013-14: American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship Award
• 2013: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference Travel Fellowship Award, Boston MA
• 2012: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference Travel Fellowship Award, Vancouver BC
• 2012: Postdoctoral Certificate in Biomedical Research, University of Texas Southwestern Med Ctr
• 2011: Highlight Presentation, American College of Sports Medicine 58^thAnnual Meeting
• 2007: Graduate Student Travel Award, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
• 2007: Finalist, Graduate Research Summit, Topeka KS

Publication Highlights

1. Thomas B, Sheng M, Tseng B, Tarumi T, Martin-Cook K, Womack K, Cullum CM, Levine B, Zhang R, Lu H. Reduced global brain metabolism but maintained vascular function in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016. In press.​
2. Liu J, Tseng BY, Khan MA, Tarumi T, Hill C, Mirshams N, Hodics TM, Hynan LS, Zhang R. Individual variability of cerebral autoregulation, posterior cerebral circulation and white matter hyperintensity. J Physiol. 2016 Jan 11. doi: 10.1113/jp271068. [Epub aead of print]. PMID:26752346
3. Tarumi T, de Jong DL, Zhu DC, Tseng BY, Liu J, Hill C, Riley J, Womack KB, Kerwin DR, Lu H, Cullum CM, Zhang R. Central artery stiffness, baroreflex sensitivity, and brain white matter neuronal fiber integrity in older adults. Neuroimage. 2015 Apr 15;110:162-70. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.01.041. Epub 2015 Jan 24. PMID:25623500
4. Tseng BY, Cullum CM, Zhang R. Older Adults with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment Exhibit Exacerbated Gait Slowing under Dual-Task Challenges. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2014 Jun;11(5):494-500. doi: 10.2174/1567205011666140505110828. Epub 2014 May 5. PMID:24801217
5. Tarumi T, Khan MA, Liu J, Tseng BY, Parker R, Riley J, Tinajero C, Zhang R. Cerebral Hemodynamics in Normal Aging: Central Artery Stiffness, Wave Reflection, and Pressure Pulsatility. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2014 Jun;34(6):971-8. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2014.44. Epub 2014 Mar 19. PMID:24643081 / Corrigendum 2014 Jul;34(7):1255. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2014.76. PMID:24981121
6. Tseng BY, Gundapuneedi T, Khan MA, Diaz-Arrastia R, Levine BD, Lu H, Huang H, Zhang R. White Matter Integrity in Physically Fit Older Adults. Neuroimage. 2013 Nov 15;82:510-6. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.06.011. Epub 2013 Jun 12. PMID:23769914
7. Thomas BP, Yezhuvath US, Tseng BY, Liu P, Levine BD, Zhang R, Lu H. Life-Long Aerobic Exercise Preserved Baseline Cerebral Blood Flow but Reduced Vascular Reactivity to CO2. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2013 Nov;38(5):1177-83. doi:10.1002/jmri.24090. Epub 2013 Mar 22. PMID: 23526811
8. Tseng BY, Uh J, Rossetti HC, Cullum CM, Diaz-Arrastia RF, Levine BD, Lu H, Zhang R. Masters Athletes Exhibit Larger Regional Brain Volume and Better Cognitive Performance than Sedentary Older Adults. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2013 Nov;38(5):1169-76. doi: 10.1002/jmri.24085. Epub 2013 Mar 21. PMID: 23908143
9. Zhu YS, Tarumi T, Tseng BY, Palmer DM, Levine BD, Zhang R. Cerebral Vasomotor Reactivity During Hypo- and Hypercapnia in Sedentary Elderly and Masters Athletes. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2013 Aug;33(8):1190-6. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2013.66. Epub 2013 Apr 17. PMID: 23591649
10. [Invited Editorial Commentary] Harel NY, Tseng BY. Cerebral Perfusion in Acute Stroke Prognostication: Go with the Flow, or Know with the Quo? Neurology. 2012 Jun 5;78(23):1811-2. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e318258f867. Epub 2012 May 9. PMID: 22573632
11. Zhu YS, Tseng BY, Shibata S, Levine BD, Zhang R. Increases in Cerebrovascular Impedance in Older Adults. J Appl Physiol. 2011 Aug;111(2):376-81. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01418.2010. Epub 2011 May 26. PMID: 21617082
12. Kluding PM, Tseng BY, Billinger SA. Exercise and Executive Function in Individuals with Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Study. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2011 Mar;35(1):11-7. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0b013e318208ee6c. PMID: 21475079
13. Tseng BY, Billinger SA, Gajewski BJ, Kluding PM. Exertion Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue are Two Distinct Constructs in People Post-Stroke. Stroke. 2010 Dec;41(12):2908-12. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.596064. Epub 2010 Oct 14. PMID: 20947841
14. Tseng BY, Gajewski BJ, Kluding PM. Reliability, Responsiveness, and Validity of the Visual Analog Fatigue Scale to Measure Exertion Fatigue in People with Chronic Stroke: A Preliminary Study. Stroke Res Treat. 2010;2010. doi:pii: 412964. 10.4061/2010/412964. Epub 2010 May 16. PMID: 20700421
15. Tseng BY, Kluding P. The Relationship between Fatigue, Aerobic fitness, and Motor Control in People with Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Study. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2009;32(3):97-102. PMID: 20128333
16. Billinger SA, Tseng BY, Kluding PM. Modified Total-Body Recumbent Stepper Exercise Test for Assessing Peak Oxygen Consumption in People with Chronic Stroke. Phys Ther. 2008 Oct;88(10):1188-95. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20080072. Epub 2008 Sep 4. PMID: 18772275

National/International Presentation Highlights

• Tseng B. Aging, Vascular Function, and Brain Vitality: Physiologic Mechanisms and Clinical Relevance (Invited Seminar). Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica.Taipei, Taiwan, August 2015.

• ​Tseng B, Cullum MC, Zhang R. Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment Exhibit Gait Disturbances when Challenged Cognitively. Platform presentation. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Boston MA, July 2013.

• Tseng BY, Khan A, Hill C, Armstrong K, Martin-Cook K, Diaz-Arrastia RF, Weiner M, Cullum CM, Lu H, Zhang R. Increases in White Matter Hyperintensity Volume are not Correlated with Memory Dysfunction in Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. Thematic presentation. American College of Sports Medicine 60th Annual Meeting,Indianapolis IN, May 2013.

• Tseng BY, Brunk E, Armstrong K, Martin-Cook K, Shafer K, Diaz-Arrastia RF, Weiner M, Levine BD, Zhang R. Cardiovascular Response during Maximal Treadmill Exercise in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Platform presentation. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Vancouver BC, July 2012.

• Tseng BY, Khan A, Brunk E, Armstrong K, Martin-Cook K, Diaz-Arrastia RF, Weiner M, Cullum M, Levine BD, Lu H, Zhang R. Elevated Arterial Stiffness and Deep-Brain White Matter Hyperintensities in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Poster presentation. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Vancouver BC, July 2012.

• Tseng BY, Brunk E, Martin-Cook K, Armstrong K, Aengevaeren V, Weiner M, Levine BD, Zhang R. Cognitive Decline Precedes Physical Function Change in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Poster presentation. American College of Sports Medicine 59th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, June 2012.

• Tseng BY, Uh J, Armstrong K, Palmer D, Cullum CM, Diaz-Arrastia RF, Levine BD, Lu H, Zhang R. Life-Long Aerobic Training Preserves White Matter Integrity: A First Look in the Masters Athlete's Brain. Platform presentation. American College of Sports Medicine 58th Annual Meeting, Denver CO, June 2011.

• Tseng BY, Thomas BP, Uh J, Palmer D, Armstrong K, Cullum CM, Diaz-Arrastia RF, Levine BD, Lu H, Zhang R. The Impact of Life-Long Exercise on Brain Structure: A Voxel-Based Morphometric Study of Masters Athlete’s Brain. Poster presentation. Society for Neuroscience 40th Annual Meeting, San Diego CA, November 2010.

• Tseng B, Kluding P, Gajewski B, Rucker J. Predictors of Post-Stroke Fatigue. Platform presentation. International Stroke Conference, San Diego CA, February 2009. 

• Tseng B, Kluding P. Relationship between Fatigue, Aerobic Fitness, and Functional Performance in People with Chronic Stroke. A Pilot Study. Platform presentation. 15th International Congress of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, Vancouver BC, June 2007.