About

Joseph DeLuca, M.D., is a faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. His educational background includes earning his M.D. degree in 1985 from UMDNJ Rutgers Medical School. The provided information does not include further details about his research focus, key contributions, or professional background.

Research topics

• Psychiatry
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Pathology
• Neuroscience
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Demography
• Clinical psychology
• Psychotherapist
• Virology
• Pharmacology
• Intensive care medicine
• Audiology
• Gerontology

Selected publications

• Applying the Kessler Foundation Modified Story Memory Technique to Improve New Learning in Aging Populations

  Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra · 2025-02-05

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Introduction: The current study examined the efficacy of the 10-session Kessler Foundation modified Story Memory Technique (KF-mSMT®) to improve new learning in older adults. Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial included twenty-eight individuals over age 65 randomized to the treatment group (n = 17) or placebo control group (n = 13). Participants completed a baseline neuropsychological assessment, including questionnaires assessing everyday memory, and a repeat assessment immediately post-treatment. The primary outcome measure was the total learning score from the California Verbal Learning Test II (CVLT-II) and the secondary outcome measure was the total score from the Memory Functioning Questionnaire. Results: A significant effect of the KF-mSMT® was noted on the CVLT-II total learning score in the treatment group, demonstrating a large effect size. Post hoc analysis examining benefit from the KF-mSMT® in the healthy aging group as compared with the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group showed a trend toward significance (p = 0.069), with a large effect size. With benefit defined as a 10% or greater improvement in the CVLT total learning, 65% of patients in the treatment group showed improvement from baseline to immediate follow-up, compared with 31% of the control group (p = 0.06). Significant treatment effects were also noted in a self-report measure of memory in daily life, the Memory Functioning Questionnaire. Post-treatment changes in depression or anxiety from before to after treatment were not significant between the groups. Conclusion: The current study presents preliminary evidence in support of the KF-mSMT® for improving learning and memory abilities in older populations of those aging normally and those meeting criteria for MCI.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Efficacy and Safety of Ozanimod in Patients with Early Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: Year 1 Interim Analysis of the ENLIGHTEN Study (P11-1.004)

  Neurology · 2025-04-07

  article

  This interim analysis describes the efficacy and safety profile of ozanimod over 1 year.

  PublisherDOI

• Whole Brain, Cortical Grey Matter, and Thalamic Volume Changes During 5–7 Years of Ozanimod in Relapsing MS: Final Results from the DAYBREAK Open-label Extension Study (P3-1.005)

  Neurology · 2025-04-07

  article

  To evaluate rates of brain volume loss (BVL) among ozanimod-treated participants with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

  PublisherDOI

• Correlates of Processing Speed Change With Combined Cognitive Rehabilitation and Exercise in Progressive MS: Secondary Analysis of the CogEx Trial

  Neurorehabilitation and neural repair · 2025-05-04 · 2 citations

  article

  BackgroundCognitive rehabilitation and exercise training are promising approaches for improving cognition in persons with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Identifying heterogeneity of change and factors that influence the effects of cognitive rehabilitation and/or exercise training on cognitive outcomes at the individual level have direct relevance for developing tailored and optimized rehabilitation interventions for improving cognition in progressive MS.ObjectiveThis study involved a secondary data analysis from the CogEx trial in progressive MS. This study first described heterogeneity of change in cognitive processing speed (CPS) across the intervention conditions and then identified possible adherence/compliance, baseline performance, and demographic/clinical variables as correlates of rehabilitation-related CPS changes.MethodsA total of 311 persons with progressive MS who were pre-screened for impaired CPS completed 12 weeks of combined cognitive rehabilitation (or sham) and exercise training (or sham). CPS was measured before and after the 12-week period. As potential correlates of CPS changes, we measured adherence/compliance (ie, treatment exposure), performance outcomes at baseline, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline.ResultsThere was heterogeneity of change in CPS across the 4 intervention conditions. We further identified baseline learning and memory impairment and premorbid intelligence quotient (IQ), but not adherence/compliance, other baseline performance outcomes, or demographic/clinical characteristics as significant correlates of CPS changes across the 4 intervention conditions.ConclusionsThe overall pattern of results suggests that future trials in this area might account for impaired learning and memory and/or premorbid IQ as potential covariates, or more carefully consider the role of reserve within rehabilitation interventions in progressive MS.

  PublisherDOI

• Enhancing everyday memory and participation in multiple sclerosis: A pilot study of a metacognitive strategy-based intervention

  Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental Translational and Clinical · 2025-04-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: Cognitive dysfunction in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with limitations in daily activities and restricted participation. Existing interventions for cognitive dysfunction often show inconsistent transfer to everyday activities and typically require frequent clinic visits, which can be challenging for patients with MS due to mobility issues. To address this barrier, we developed a telehealth-based cognitive intervention that is based on metacognitive strategy training. Objective: Examine the feasibility and impact of a telehealth-based cognitive intervention on activity and participation in persons with MS. Methods: Ten participants with MS were included in a remote six-week, 12 sessions cognitive treatment program. The treatment emphasized self-generation and metacognitive strategies to enhance cognitive function. Participants' cognitive abilities were evaluated at baseline (Time 1), midtreatment (Time 2), and posttreatment (Time 3). Results: Participants demonstrated improved memory, self-awareness, strategy use, and functional status. Participants reported enhanced confidence and better focus and found the remote program engaging and applicable to daily life, reporting increased preparedness for learning. Conclusion: Results provide preliminary proof-of-concept data suggesting that telehealth-based cognitive intervention is well accepted by patients and may improve cognitive functions in persons with MS. These data support the need for a larger trial for this intervention.

  PublisherDOI

• Does speed of processing training improve everyday life functional activity in traumatic brain injury: A pilot randomized controlled trial

  Neuropsychological Rehabilitation · 2025-07-04

  article

  ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02020564..

  PublisherDOI

• Aerobic walking exercise training boosts thalamic connectivity in MS patients with cognitive processing speed impairment

  Brain and Cognition · 2025-08-09 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Mobile-based cognitive screening tools in multiple sclerosis: Scoping literature and app store review

  Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders · 2025-10-01 · 1 citations

  reviewSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Trait fatigue impacts Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) performance in multiple sclerosis: The role of working memory

  Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders · 2025-03-03 · 2 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Brain atrophy and associations with long-term disability and cognitive function in participants with relapsing multiple sclerosis treated with ozanimod: Results from phase 3 and open-label extension trials

  Multiple Sclerosis Journal · 2025-07-23

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: In phase 3 trials, ozanimod reduced brain atrophy and improved cognitive processing speed compared with interferon β-1a (IFN) in participants with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). OBJECTIVES: To assess long-term brain volume changes and associations with clinical/cognitive outcomes during an open-label extension ([OLE] DAYBREAK [NCT02576717]). METHODS: Completers of phase 3 "parent" trials were eligible to receive ozanimod 0.92 mg in DAYBREAK. Whole brain, thalamic, and cortical gray matter volumes (WBV, TV, and CGMV, respectively) were analyzed annually. RESULTS: Participants receiving continuous ozanimod had sustained, low rates of WBV loss through OLE month (M)60 (annualized least-squares mean percent change from parent baseline: RADIANCE, -0.27; SUNBEAM, -0.35). Compared with participants switched from IFN, these participants had lower reductions in WBV (parent baseline through OLE M48 [RADIANCE] and OLE M60 [SUNBEAM]). Larger baseline brain volumes were associated with numerically better Symbol Digit Modalities Test scores and lower 3-month confirmed disability progression (CDP) incidence. Annualized TV atrophy ⩽1.0% was associated with lower 3-month CDP. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the sustained efficacy of ozanimod in reducing brain atrophy rates for up to 7 years. Brain volume preservation was associated with faster cognitive processing speed and slower physical disability progression.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R03HD042085

  NIH · $153k · 2005

• NIH Grant R01MH052810

  NIH · $276k · 2000

• NIH Grant T32HD007522

  NIH · $680k · 2006

• NIH Grant R01HD038249

  NIH · $516k · 2004

Frequent coauthors

• Jeffrey S. Kreutzer

  Adams State University

  1392 shared

• Bruce Caplan

  1337 shared

• Jeffrey S. Kreutzer

  Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

  960 shared

• Bruce Caplan

  895 shared

• Nancy D. Chiaravalloti

  Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

  860 shared

• Helen M. Genova

  Kessler Foundation

  346 shared

• Glenn R. Wylie

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  317 shared

• Frederick W. Foley

  Yeshiva University

  195 shared

Education

• M.D.

  UMDNJ Rutgers Medical School

  1985