Ana Vives-Rodriguez, MD
Assistant ProfessorCards
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileAdditional Titles
Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Co-Director, Neurology
Director of the Movement and Memory Aging Clinic, Neurology
About
Copy Link
Titles
Assistant Professor
Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Co-Director, Neurology; Director of the Movement and Memory Aging Clinic, Neurology
Biography
Dr. Vives-Rodriguez is a movement disorders and cognitive-behavioral neurologist at Yale Medicine. She cares for patients with various movement disorders such as tremor, Parkinson’s disease, tics, and dystonia. She also specializes in treating patients with memory and other cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementias.
Dr. Vives-Rodriguez grew up and completed her medical and residency training in Costa Rica, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Costa Rica. She spent time prior to her fellowship as an attending physician in neurology at the Max Peralta Hospital in Cartago, Costa Rica. In 2018, she completed a 2-year subspecialty training in movement disorders at Yale New Haven Hospital. After her fellowship at Yale and motivated by a further understanding of neurodegenerative disorders, she pursued training in cognitive behavioral neurology in Boston. She then completed 3 years of subspecialty training in cognitive behavioral neurology at Boston University/VA Medical Center. During her training, Dr. Vives-Rodriguez focused on translational and clinical neuroscience research of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Wilson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease focusing on structural and functional brain changes and their relation to clinical manifestations.
Dr. Vives-Rodriguez is particularly interested in the behavioral and cognitive aspects of movement disorders and early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders.
Appointments
Neurology
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- All Institutions
- Movement Disorders Division
- Neurodegenerative Disorders
- Neurology
- Yale Medicine
- Yale New Haven Health System
Education & Training
- Advanced Fellow in Cognitive Behavioral Neurology
- Boston University/VA Medical Center (2022)
- Clinical Fellow in Movement Disorders
- Yale New Haven Hospital/Yale School of Medicine (2018)
- Resident
- University Costa Rica/Calderon Guardia Hospital (2014)
- BS
- University of Costa Rica (2009)
- MD
- University of Costa Rica (2009)
Research
Copy Link
Overview
Medical Research Interests
ORCID
0000-0001-5672-8787
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Sule Tinaz, MD, PhD
Dustin Scheinost, PhD, BS
Michelle Hampson, PhD
Jagriti Arora
Jeremy J. Moeller, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Michael Schilsky, MD
Publications
2026
Feasibility and potential effects of mental imagery training on subjective cognitive function and brain connectivity in people with Parkinson’s disease: A randomized pilot trial
Cherry J, Nelson A, Robinson L, Goldstein J, Vives-Rodriguez A, Sharp E, Tinaz S. Feasibility and potential effects of mental imagery training on subjective cognitive function and brain connectivity in people with Parkinson’s disease: A randomized pilot trial. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation 2026, ahead-of-print: 1-28. PMID: 41482867, DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2025.2608220.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSix-week training periodMental imageryPD control groupCognitive functionPilot randomized controlled trialMental imagery trainingRandomized pilot trialControl group scoresParkinson's diseaseNeuro-QoLBrain connectivity changesCognitive healthGoal-directed activityFunctional MRI dataImagery trainingBrain functional connectivityParticipant complianceNondemented peopleTraining periodProtocol feasibilityOutcome measuresPowered trialsDefinitive trialsPilot trialStudy procedures
2025
Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment Can Correct COVID‐19 Health‐Related Misconceptions
DeCaro R, Marin A, Waskow E, Vives‐Rodriguez A, Di Crosta A, La Malva P, Turk K, Palumbo R, Budson A. Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment Can Correct COVID‐19 Health‐Related Misconceptions. Health Science Reports 2025, 9: e71519. PMID: 41480626, PMCID: PMC12754260, DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.71519.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCognitive impairmentOlder adultsSelf-reported moodHealthy older adultsCognitive deficitsCognitive screenerCognitive abilitiesCognitive testsCognitive scienceImpairmentCOVID-19 misconceptionsLearning methodsRetestHealth-related decisionsLong-term effectsDeficitsAdultsEffective learning techniquesParticipantsPoor healthKnowledge deficitsLearning techniquesMoodModerate evidencePersistent knowledge
2024
Impact of remote social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic on the cognitive and psychological status of older adults with and without cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled study
Vives-Rodriguez A, Marin A, Schiloski K, Hajos G, Di Crosta A, Ceccato I, La Malva P, Anderson D, Lahdo N, Donnelly K, Dong J, Kasha S, Rooney C, Dayaw J, Marton G, Wack A, Hanger V, DeCaro R, Di Domenico A, Turk K, Palumbo R, Budson A. Impact of remote social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic on the cognitive and psychological status of older adults with and without cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled study. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0311792. PMID: 39531433, PMCID: PMC11556722, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311792.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPsychological status of older adultsStatus of older adultsOlder adultsPsychological statusCognitive impairmentSocial isolationLubben Social Network ScaleAssociated with psychological healthSocial Network ScaleRisk of social isolationPassive control conditionSocial interactionLevels of depressionBaseline to week 4Cross-cultural sampleCOVID-19 pandemicDepression severityRemote communication technologiesIntervention periodLower depressionCognitive statusPsychological healthRandomized Controlled StudyPsychological scoresCognitive declineSuspected Pseudobulbar Affect in Neurodegenerative Disease
O’Connor M, Frank B, DeCaro R, Vives‐Rodriguez A, Hurley L, Turk K, Budson A. Suspected Pseudobulbar Affect in Neurodegenerative Disease. International Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry 2024, 39: e70002. PMID: 39434195, PMCID: PMC11811881, DOI: 10.1002/gps.70002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCenter for Neurologic Study-Lability ScaleGroup differencesOutpatient memory disorders clinicAssociated with higher anxietyEarly sign of ADClinician rating scalesImpaired emotion regulationWord list recallSelf-reported moodAD patientsMemory disorders clinicEmotion regulationList recallPsychiatric covariatesPsychiatric conditionsEvaluation of dementiaMemory recallNeurocognitive diagnosisCognitive testsHigher anxietySigns of ADRating ScaleTest performanceFalse positive errorsNP measuresThe Use of Event Related Potentials to Predict Amyloid PET Status Among Patients from a Memory Disorders Clinic
Marin A, Turk K, Schiloski K, Vives-Rodriguez A, Suh C, Uppal P, Dwyer B, Palumbo R, Budson A. The Use of Event Related Potentials to Predict Amyloid PET Status Among Patients from a Memory Disorders Clinic. Journal Of Alzheimer’s Disease 2024, 100: 1195-1208. PMID: 38995774, PMCID: PMC11380249, DOI: 10.3233/jad-231038.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsEvent Related PotentialsMemory disorders clinicRelated potentialsPositron emission tomographyAmyloid PET scanFronto-parietal networkStandard latencyEvidence of Alzheimer's diseasePositive amyloid PET scanAlzheimer's diseaseNeuropsychological batteryNeuropsychological dataP200 amplitudeIn vivo evidenceMemory complaintsP200 latencyBottom-up processesPET scansAmyloid positron emission tomographyP200PET statusStandard clinical careMemoryOddball protocolEmission tomography
2023
The association between electrophysiological and neuropsychological measures and cardiovascular disease in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease dementia
Marin A, Schiloski K, DeCaro R, Vives‐Rodriguez A, Budson A, Turk K. The association between electrophysiological and neuropsychological measures and cardiovascular disease in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease dementia. Alzheimer's & Dementia 2023, 19 DOI: 10.1002/alz.065885.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCardiovascular risk factorsSmall vessel disease severityBody mass indexRisk factorsAD dementiaNeuropsychological measuresMemory disorders clinicAssociated with cardiovascular risk factorsAlzheimer's disease dementiaCardiovascular profileFluency testAlpha peak frequencyCore clinical criteriaSmall vessel diseaseOlder veteransCategory fluency testPhonemic fluency testType 2 diabetesVerbal fluency scoresReview of medical historyYears of ageMMSE scoreAD patientsMass indexDementiaAmyloid PET ordering practices in a memory disorders clinic
Turk K, Vives‐Rodriguez A, Schiloski K, Marin A, Wang R, Singh P, Hajos G, Powsner R, DeCaro R, Budson A. Amyloid PET ordering practices in a memory disorders clinic. Alzheimer's & Dementia 2023, 19 DOI: 10.1002/alz.059854.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMemory disorders clinicAmyloid PET scanAmyloid PETAppropriate use criteriaSubjective cognitive declinePET scansBehavioral neurologistCognitive declineRetrospective chart reviewThird-party reimbursementPercentage of patientsMemoryDiagnostic workupUse criteriaChart reviewAbstract BackgroundVeteransPatientsTherapy treatmentClinicDiagnostic workOrdered scansOrdering practicesPETImpairment
2022
Impact of amyloid PET in the clinical care of US Veterans in a Tertiary Memory Disorders Clinic
Vives‐Rodriguez A, Schiloski K, Marin A, Wang R, Hajos G, Powsner R, DeCaro R, Budson A, Turk K. Impact of amyloid PET in the clinical care of US Veterans in a Tertiary Memory Disorders Clinic. Alzheimer's & Dementia 2022, 18 DOI: 10.1002/alz.068034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMemory disorders clinicCholinesterase inhibitor prescriptionYears of follow-upFollow-up timeFollow-upClinical careDiagnostic workupInhibitor prescriptionVA Boston Healthcare SystemClinical impactRoutine diagnostic workupRetrospective observational studyFollow-up visitImpact outcomesNegative binomial regressionBinomial logistic regressionUtilization outcomesPoisson regressionPropensity score matchingDiagnosis of Alzheimer's diseaseUS veteransHealthcare systemVeteran populationCognitive complaintsBinomial regressionHome-Based Electronic Cognitive Therapy in Patients With Alzheimer Disease: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial
Marin A, DeCaro R, Schiloski K, Elshaar A, Dwyer B, Vives-Rodriguez A, Palumbo R, Turk K, Budson A. Home-Based Electronic Cognitive Therapy in Patients With Alzheimer Disease: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Formative Research 2022, 6: e34450. PMID: 36094804, PMCID: PMC9513684, DOI: 10.2196/34450.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsRandomized Controlled TrialsFeasibility randomized controlled trialCognitive trainingHome-based intervention programControlled TrialsAD dementiaRates of adherenceActive control groupComputerized cognitive trainingMild dementia stageQuality of lifeTablet-based trainingConstant TherapyCognitive training programAlzheimer's diseaseMild AD dementiaMild cognitive impairmentDiagnosis of mild cognitive impairment due to ADHome-basedFeasibility of long-termTherapy groupAssessment of Neuropsychological StatusTherapy programIntervention programsDementia stagesEvent-related potentials as biomarkers of cognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease patients with cardiovascular risk factors (P1-1.Virtual)
Marin A, Schiloski K, Vives-Rodriguez A, DeCaro R, Budson A, Turk K. Event-related potentials as biomarkers of cognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease patients with cardiovascular risk factors (P1-1.Virtual). Neurology 2022, 98 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.98.18_supplement.2242.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Cognitive Training in Parkinson's Disease
IRB ID2000033352RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2027Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge40+ years
Clinical Care
Copy Link
Overview
Ana Vives-Rodriguez, MD, is a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders and cognitive-behavioral neurology. She cares for patients with tremor, Parkinson’s disease, tics, and dystonia, as well as those with Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementias.
"I enjoy being able to provide continuity of care for patients and counseling them and their families," she says. "I love providing an accurate and timely diagnosis and facilitating a better understanding of their disease, counseling about modifications that can significantly improve their quality of life."
As an assistant professor of neurology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Vives-Rodriguez explores the translational and clinical neuroscience of neurodegenerative disorders, examining structural and functional brain changes and their clinical implications.
Dr. Vives-Rodriguez completed her medical and residency training at the University of Costa Rica. She pursued subspecialty training in movement disorders at Yale New Haven Hospital and further training in cognitive behavioral neurology at Boston University/VA Medical Center.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Pediatric Movement Disorders
Learn More on Yale MedicineBotox and Soft Tissue Fillers
Learn More on Yale MedicineAlzheimer's Disease
Learn More on Yale MedicineDementia
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Yale Medicine News
Are You a Patient?
View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.
View Doctor ProfileGet In Touch
Copy Link
Contacts
Administrative Support
Locations
Patient Care Locations
Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.