Dr. Denise A. Valenti
Dr. Denise A. Valenti is a residency-trained, low-vision/blind-rehabilitation optometrist who has worked closely with sensory and cognitive impairment and the ability to safely drive as a clinical provider. Dr. Valenti provided direct clinical care for more than 25 years and currently is active in research and consultation related to vision, aging, neuroprocessing, cannabinoids, cognitive function and driving. She has additional education and expertise in the field of age-related neurodegenerative diseases with the emphasis on Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. She had been honored as the Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Discovery Foundation’s outstanding young researcher and was selected by the AARP as an exemplary gerontology scientist. Her research has included the study of imaging of retinal neural tissue using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and functional assessment of neural processing in the visual system using Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT). The neurocognitive impact of cannabis is an active area of research as is the treatment potential for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. She is the principal in the development of technology to detect impairment in the retina and lateral geniculate brain nuclei from cannabis consumption, Impairment Measurement: Marijuana and Driving (IMMAD). The company IMMAD provides education, services and technology for the responsible use of cannabis. Dr. Valenti lectures on marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids and cognition both nationally and internationally.