Adam Mecca, MD, PhD
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About
Titles
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Associate Director, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit; Faculty, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC)Biography
Adam Mecca, M.D., Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and the Associate Director of the Yale Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit. He received his B.S. in Chemistry, Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida in 2005 before matriculating to the UF M.D.-Ph.D. program from which he graduated in 2012. Dr. Mecca completed a residency in Psychiatry and a fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at Yale University. He practices at the Yale Adler Geriatric Assessment center and is a faculty member in the Yale Department of Psychiatry. In his role as Associate Director of the Yale Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, Dr. Mecca works with a team to conduct clinical research of potential therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. He and his collaborators are developing neuroimaging methods to investigate the neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Their recent efforts have led to a novel positron emission tomography imaging technique to measure decreases in the number of connections between nerve cells in people with Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of this work is to develop a clearer understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and develop treatments.
Appointments
Psychiatry
Associate Professor on TermPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Fellow
- Yale University (2017)
- Resident
- Yale University (2016)
- PhD
- University of Florida College of Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology, Dept of Physiology and Functional Genomics (2012)
- MD
- University of Florida College of Medicine (2012)
- BS
- University of Florida, Chemistry and Microbiology (2005)
Research
Clinical Care
Overview
Adam Mecca, MD, PhD is a geriatric psychiatrist who specializes in memory disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and other related conditions.
“I enjoy meeting patients and their families and working together to understand the cause of a person's symptoms and finding the best way to help,” Dr. Mecca says. “I value the opportunity to work with patients experiencing changes in their memory and thinking. We discuss the important changes occurring in their life, and work on building supports so that they can continue to thrive in all ways possible.”
An active researcher, Dr. Mecca studies Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. “It is a very satisfying focus since memory disorders affect so many people. There is an enormous need for effective treatments,” he says. “I am passionate about bringing understanding of a life-altering disease process into awareness. It is vital to educate, provide treatment, and to help patients and families work through what is often a progressive and incurable illness.”
As the associate director of the Yale Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, he works with a team to better understand Alzheimer’s disease and develop effective therapies. He and his collaborators are creating neuroimaging methods to investigate the neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease.
Their efforts have led to a novel positron emission tomography (PET) imaging technique to measure decreases in the number of connections between nerve cells in people with Alzheimer’s disease. This work may accelerate the development of effective treatments.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Dementia
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Geriatric Psychiatry
- Certification Organization
- AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
- Original Certification Date
- 2018
Psychiatry
- Certification Organization
- AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
- Original Certification Date
- 2016
Links & Media
News
- March 20, 2023
Six Psychiatry Faculty Recognized by Class of 2023
- January 29, 2023
Symposium Highlights Importance of Biomedical Imaging for Understanding Neurological Disease
- February 20, 2022Source: Yale News
New Imaging Scan Reveals a Culprit in Cognitive Decline of Alzheimer’s
- February 18, 2022Source: YaleNews
New Imaging Scan Reveals a Culprit in Cognitive Decline of Alzheimer’s