Brian C. Helsel, Ph.D.

Professional Background

Dr. Brian Helsel is an Assistant Professor with the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center in the Department of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He has a background in exercise physiology and physical activity epidemiology with over a decade of experience working with special populations in programs related to physical activity promotion. Dr. Helsel is originally from Grand Rapids, MI but moved to South Carolina in 2014 where he served as a YMCA Healthy Living Director before starting his PhD at Clemson University in 2016. He gained valuable experience working with aging adults and individuals with disabilities through clinical- and community-based YMCA programs. In March of 2020, Dr. Helsel accepted a postdoctoral fellowship with the Division of Physical Activity and Weight Management at The University of Kansas Medical Center. His interests in the promotion of physical activity for chronic disease prevention in underserved populations, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and Alzheimer’s Disease, aligned with the division’s on-going research portfolio. Early in his training, Dr. Helsel developed an interest in wearable devices for the measurement of physical activity and the impact of exercise on Alzheimer's disease risk in adults with Down syndrome. This led to Dr. Helsel's current faculty appointment with the KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center in the Department of Neurology and funding (K01 AG083130) with the National Institute of Aging and the NIH INCLUDE Project.

• BS, Clinical Exercise Science, Grand Valley State University, Allendale
• MS, Exercise and Sports Medicine: Exercise Physiology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• MS, Applied Health Research and Evaluation, Clemson University, Clemson , South Carolina
• PhD, Applied Health Research and Evaluation, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Physical Activity and Weight Management, Division of Physical Activity and Weight Management at The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Down syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease, University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Kansas City, Kansas

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Research

Overview

Dr. Helsel's primary research focus is on the measurement of physical activity using wearable devices in adults with Down syndrome and the impact of exercise on brain aging and Alzheimer's disease development in this population. He is also interested in the contribution of other lifestyle and metabolic factors influence healthy brain aging in adults with Down syndrome.

• Assessment of Physical Activity for Alzheimer's Disease Research in Down Syndrome (K01 AG083130), National Institute on Aging, PI

• Fleming, Victoria., L, Helsel, Brian., C, Ptomey, Lauren., T, Rosas, Diana., H, Handen, Benjamin, Laymon, Charles, Christian, Bradley., T, Head, Elizabeth, Mapstone, Mark, Lai, Florence, Krinsky-McHale, Sharon, Zaman, Shahid, Ances, Beau., M, Lee, Joseph., H, Hartley, Sigan., L. 2023. Weight Loss and Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome. Journal of Alzheimer's disease, 91 (3), 1215-1227
• Helsel, Brian., C, Shook, Robin., P, Forseth, Bethany, Dreyer Gillette, Meredith., L, Polfuss, Michelle, Miller, Bryce, Posson, Paige, Steele, Robert, Thyfault, John., P, Ptomey, Lauren., T. 2023. Resting energy expenditure in adolescents with Down syndrome: A comparison of commonly used predictive equations.. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 67 (2), 112-122
• Helsel, Brian., C, Foster, Rachel., NS, Sherman, Joseph, Steele, Robert, Ptomey, Lauren., T, Montgomery, Robert, Washburn, Richard., A, Donnelly, Joseph., E. 2023. The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey: Comparisons with Obesity and Physical Activity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53 (1), 89-95