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Ances Bioimaging Laboratory

Beau M. Ances, MD, PhD

The Ances lab is a neuroscience research lab that is focused on:

  • Developing novel neuroimaging biomarkers of normal aging and neurodegeneration (including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Down syndrome (DS), HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND), Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD), autoimmune- mediated encephalitis (AIME), and neuroCOVID19).
  • Evaluating therapeutic interventions that will improve neurocognitive deficits and biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative disorders.

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Aravamuthan Lab

Bhooma Aravamuthan, MD, DPhil

The Aravamuthan lab’s translational research spans animal and patient-based studies to better diagnose, predict and understand the causes of dystonia following neonatal brain injury.

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Balls-Berry Lab

Joyce Balls-Berry, PhD

Joyce (Joy) E. Balls-Berry, PhD, is a psychiatric epidemiologist and health educator. Her primary research focuses on applying community and patient-engaged research principles in diverse populations to reduce health disparities and increase health equity. Much of Balls-Berry’s research centers on determining ways to increase diversity and inclusion in clinical and translational science.

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Bateman Lab

Randall Bateman, MD

Our laboratory’s focus is the causes, diagnosis and future treatments of Alzheimer disease. We directly measure the pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease in humans using multiple techniques and also perform in vitro cell culture experiments.

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Belloy Lab

Michael Belloy, PhD

Our research is dedicated to understanding the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. We utilize functional genomics and bioinformatics tools to analyze publicly available cohort and population data. Our primary goal is to identify novel genetic risk variants for Alzheimer’s disease and elucidate their molecular mechanisms. This knowledge will inform drug development and advance the field of personalized genetic medicine.

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Brier Lab

Matthew R. Brier, MD, PhD

The Brier lab uses neuroimaging to study multiple sclerosis (MS). Advances in disease modifying therapies allow for the reduction of inflammatory relapses in patients with MS. However, despite these incredible treatments, many patients still experience progressive disability accumulation associated with neurodegeneration. We are principally interested in how this progressive degenerative pathology emerges in the context of seemingly well treated relapsing MS.

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Cirrito Lab

John Cirrito, PhD

The Cirrito lab focuses on understanding the metabolism Abeta within the brain extracellular fluid or interstitial fluid (ISF). It developed a novel in vivo microdialysis technique that enables us to specifically measure ISF Abeta within the brains of living and awake wildtype and APP transgenic mice.

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Clifford Lab

David Clifford, MD

David Clifford, MD, has a broad interest in neuropharmacology. His clinical focus is the development of more successful medical management of neurological disease. He’s participated in studies of epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and virtually all neurologic complications of HIV.

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Cross Lab

Anne Cross, MD

The goal of the Cross lab’s research is to understand the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis of inflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

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Dang Lab

Mai Dang, MD, PhD

The primary research goal of my laboratory is to uncover novel ways to alter the pediatric brain tumor microenvironment to enhance the efficacy of existing treatments and make treatments safer for children.

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Davis Lab

Albert (Gus) Davis, MD

The primary goal of our research is to increase our understanding of the basic pathophysiological mechanisms underlying protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in synucleinopathies in order to pave the way for improved diagnostic tests and disease-modifying treatments for these illnesses.

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Dhar Lab

Rajat Dhar, MD, FRCPC

The Dhar lab seeks to leverage data and image-driven approaches to understand the heterogeneity of human responses to severe brain injuries.

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Diringer Lab

Michael N. Diringer, MD

All NNICU physicians have specialized research interests directed at improving the care we provide our patients. A unique aspect of this facility is that it is the only Neuro-ICU in the country with a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner located on site.

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Dosenbach Lab

Nico U.F. Dosenbach, MD, PhD

Plasticity is one of the hallmark features of the human brain. Use-driven plasticity is critically important for typical development as well as recovering from brain injury. Thus, the overarching goal of our research is to better understand use-driven brain plasticity.

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Eisenman Lab

Lawrence N. Eisenman, MD, PhD

The Eisenman lab’s primary research interest in the role of GABA receptors both in the normal physiology of the brain and in pathological states, particularly epilepsy. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and dysfunction in the GABA system is a major component of the pathology of epilepsy.

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Fluid Biomarker Core Lab

Anne Fagan, PhD | Suzanne E. Schindler, MD, PhD

The Fluid Biomarker Core has studied Alzheimer disease from multiple angles for more than 20 years. Currently the lab focuses on fluid biomarkers of disease with a particular interest in identifying individuals with preclinical and early stage AD. Our laboratory uses enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), bead-based immunoassays, single-molecule counting systems and automated immunoassays to study protein biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma.

Research profile — Anne Fagan

Research profile — Suzanne Schindler

Gallardo Lab

Gilbert Gallardo, PhD

Understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate reactive astrocytes and their neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, by utilizing a combination of biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular models of inflammation and mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases.

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Geisler Lab

Stefanie Geisler, MD

The goal of the Geisler lab is to identify new therapeutic agents that can be translated into relevant treatment strategies for patients suffering from peripheral neuropathies. We integrate genetic data from patients and analysis of patient-derived neurons with information from cell and animal models to gain insight into molecular mechanisms underlying axon degeneration and regeneration.

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Gurnett Lab

Christina A. Gurnett, MD, PhD

Christina Gurnett, MD, PhD, has an interest in understanding the genes involved in inherited forms of epilepsy. Her current approach is to study large families with epilepsy or individuals with unusual chromosomal malformations.

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Gutmann Lab

David H. Gutmann, MD, PhD

Our laboratory employs numerous complementary experimental platforms, including human induced pluripotent stem cells and novel genetically-engineered mouse strains to define the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of pediatric brain tumors and cognitive dysfunction relative to improved risk stratification and treatment strategies for children affected with these nervous system problems.

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Holtzman Lab

David Holtzman, MD

A major interest in the Holtzman lab is in understanding basic mechanisms underlying acute and chronic cell dysfunction in the central nervous system particularly as these mechanisms may relate to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

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Hyrc Lab

Krzysztof Hyrc, PhD

Krzysztof Hyrc, PhD, is primarily interested in ionic mechanisms of excitotoxic neuronal cell death. He specializes in intracellular ion concentration measurements using optical techniques, particularly low affinity calcium indicators.

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Ju Lab

Yo-El Ju, MD, MSCI

The Ju lab studies the relationship between sleep and neurodegenerative diseases through translational and clinical research.

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Kotzbauer Lab

Paul Kotzbauer, MD, PhD

The Kotzbauer lab is working to understand mechanisms of neurodegeneration underlying Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. Specific types of pathological neuronal inclusions that occur in Parkinson’s disease also occur in other neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that common mechanisms of pathogenesis may be involved.

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Kress Lab

Geraldine Kress, PhD

My research interests focus on understanding interactions between cognitive function and the circadian system during the aging process and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression in order to identify pathophysiology changes, mechanisms, and possible strategies to ameliorate disease progression.

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Kummer Lab

Terrance T. Kummer, MD, PhD

Research at the Kummer lab and in our collaborative group is focused on the mechanisms of cellular damage in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in Alzheimer’s disease, with a particular focus on synaptic and other forms of gray matter injury. TBI is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. and worldwide and a major risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Landsness Lab

Eric Landsness, MD, PhD

Stroke occurs due to a loss of blood flow to the brain, resulting in significant brain injury and disability. Currently, over 7 million people in the United States suffer from the long-term effects of stroke and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Recovery from stroke requires plasticity to allow remapping, or “rewiring,” of disrupted neuronal circuits. Such mechanisms are influenced by sleep, which is an ideal target for therapeutic intervention due to its well-studied role in mediating plasticity. Our lab studies the connection between plasticity-dependent mechanisms for stroke recovery and sleep-dependent plasticity. Our goal is to develop new, innovative sleep-focused treatments and interventions to improve outcomes in patients with neurological disease.

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Lee Lab

Jin-Moo Lee, MD, PhD

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with the accumulation of aggregated amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) in senile plaques within the brain.

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Li Lab

Mingjie Li, MD, PhD

The Li lab is developing new vectors for neurological applications. The goal of the Viral Vectors Core is to assist Washington University neuroscience researchers in the design and production of various kinds of vectors.

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Lucey Lab

Brendan P. Lucey, MD, MSCI, FAASM

The Lucey lab investigates the relationship between sleep, aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Recent evidence suggests a role for sleep in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and/or as a marker for the onset and/or progression of Alzheimer’s disease that could be followed as an outcome measure in treatment trials. The major goal of our research is use sleep to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease.

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Maccotta Lab

Luigi Maccotta, MD, PhD

The research studies of Luigi Maccotta, MD, PhD, are directed at using behavioral and functional neuroimaging techniques to help epilepsy patients overcome memory deficits since memory is one of the most adversely affected cognitive functions in epilepsy and the most reported by patients. He also is using behavioral and functional neuroimaging techniques to find a way of making early intervention in those with a first time seizure, as well as help to identify patterns of brain functional reorganization in early epilepsy (and ideally pre-clinical epilepsy) that predict future disease severity and can be used by physicians to guide early intervention and more aggressive therapy.

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Mar Lab

Soe Mar, MD

Dr. Mar’s current research efforts are directed at pediatric multiple sclerosis and other white matter diseases, and pediatric migraine.  Her international research efforts are directed at HIV related neurocognitive disorders in perinatally acquired HIV and neuro infectious diseases.

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Miller Lab

Timothy Miller, MD, PhD

The Miller lab is dedicated to understanding neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and dementias in order to develop new, effective and safe treatments. Part of the Department of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the Miller lab is headed by Timothy M. Miller, MD, PhD, the David Clayson Professor of Neurology. Miller is a national leader in translational neuroscience and new therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases.

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Morris Lab

John Carl Morris, MD

The focus of John Morris’ research and practice is Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders associated with aging.

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Musiek Lab

Erik S. Musiek, MD, PhD

The Musiek lab studies how circadian rhythms and the circadian clock system influence neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer’s disease. Research focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which the circadian clock regulates processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress and protein aggregation in cellular and animal models of Alzhiemer’s disease and other age-related neurodegenerative conditions.

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Naismith Lab

Robert T. Naismith, MD

Robert T. Naismith, MD, is interested in improving the use of imaging modalities to better prognosticate and care for those with multiple sclerosis. The current focus is on MR Diffusion Tensor Imaging as a pathologic surrogate for axonal loss. This includes studies in the optic nerves, brain and spinal. The studies include measurements and outcomes that are important to patients and have relevance for implementing in clinical practice.

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Neil Lab

Jeffrey J. Neil, MD, PhD

Our research group is focused on application of magnetic resonance methods to obtain a better understanding of brain injury.

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Perlmutter Lab

Joel S. Perlmutter, MD

Joel Perlmutter’s main research interests include neuroimaging, basal ganglia physiology and pharmacology, mechanisms of deep-brain stimulation, pathophysiology of dystonia, development of new agents to reduce nigrostriatal injury and electronic medical records systems.

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Pestronk Lab

Alan Pestronk, MD

Research interests: Neuromuscular disorders

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Saligrama Lab

Naresha Saligrama, PhD

The focus of the Saligrama lab is on T cell repertoire in autoimmunity, T cell specificity and function in autoimmunity and systems analysis of immune system in neurological disorders.

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Thio Lab

Kwee Liu Lin Thio, MD, PhD

The research interests of Liu-Lin Thio, MD, PhD, are cellular neurophysiology, inhibitory glycine receptors and ketogenic diet. He holds clinic weekly, is consultant pediatric epileptologist for the Pediatric Cerebral Palsy Center and serves on the Pharmaceutical, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Subcommittee at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

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Washington University Neonatal Development Research (WUNDER) Lab

Cynthia Rogers, MD & Christopher Smyser, MD

Our team strives to improve the outcomes for infants born at risk for adverse long term brain development.

Weihl Lab

Conrad Weihl, MD, PhD

The Weihl lab’s goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms of protein inclusion formation, disaggregation and clearance in myodegenerative (skeletal muscle) and neurodegenerative diseases.

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Wong Lab

Michael Wong, MD, PhD

The primary goal of the Wong lab is to understand biological mechanisms in the brain underlying epilepsy with the ultimate purpose of developing new therapies for epilepsy patients.

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Wu Lab

Gregory Wu, MD, PhD

The main goal of the Wu lab’s research is to define the antigen presentation requirements during inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS). Several different antigen-presenting cells (APCs) participate in CD4 T cell-mediated immunity.

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Zempel Lab

John Zempel, MD, PhD

By studying a model system of partial seizures which has been adapted to the magnetic resonance environment, allowing the measurement of electrical signals concurrent with imaging. Using conventional and newly developed magnetic resonance techniques, John Zempel, MD, PhD, and his colleagues have localized ongoing seizure activity and characterized the damage that occurs with seizures.

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Zhao Lab

Guoyan Zhao, PhD
Department of Genetics

The Zhao lab integrates multiple cutting-edge computational and experimental approaches to study gene transcriptional regulation in the nervous system and how changes in the regulation contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD) and Lewy body diseases (LBDs).

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