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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Ju Lab
Yo-El Ju, MD, MSCI
The Ju lab studies the relationship between sleep and neurodegenerative diseases through translational and clinical research.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Piccio Lab
Laura Piccio, MD, PhD
The main focus of the Piccio lab’s research is to dissect inflammatory, immune-mediated and neurodegenerative mechanisms implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. The major goals are to identify potential new avenues for therapeutic intervention or disease prevention.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).