This directory provides comprehensive information on leading movement disorder specialists and centers focused on Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, and related neurodegenerative disorders. These experts represent the forefront of clinical care, research, and therapeutic development for atypical parkinsonism.
Institution: University of California, San Francisco
Position: Professor of Neurology, Director of the FTD Unit and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease
Research Focus: Frontotemporal dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, clinical trials, biomarker development
Dr. Boxer leads one of the world's premier programs in FTD and atypical parkinsonian syndromes. His work includes Phase I-III clinical trials for anti-tau therapeutics, PET imaging tracer development, and fluid biomarker validation. [1]
Key Publications:
External Links:
Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Position: Associate Professor of Neurology
Research Focus: Biomarkers, TDP-43 proteinopathy, neurodegenerative disease progression
Dr. Irwin specializes in biomarker development and translational research for FTD and related disorders. His work focuses on fluid and imaging biomarkers for disease diagnosis and progression monitoring. [2]
Key Publications:
External Links:
Institution: University College London
Position: Professor of Clinical Neuroscience
Research Focus: Parkinson's disease genetics, LRRK2, GBA, clinical trials
Dr. Morris is a leading researcher in PD genetics and clinical trials. He leads the UK Parkinson's Disease Genetics Consortium and has played key roles in identifying major genetic risk factors for PD. [3]
Key Publications:
External Links:
Location: San Francisco, CA
Website: memory.ucsf.edu
Strengths:
Location: Rochester, MN
Website: mayoclinic.org
Strengths:
Location: New York, NY
Website: columbia-neurology.org
Strengths:
Location: Boston, MA
Website: massgeneral.org/neurology
Strengths:
Leading researchers are developing fluid biomarkers (NfL, p-tau181, p-tau217), PET imaging tracers, and digital health tools for early detection and disease monitoring in movement disorders.
Major discoveries in PD genetics (LRRK2, GBA, SNCA, PARK genes) continue to inform disease mechanisms and therapeutic targeting. The International Parkinson's Disease Genetics Consortium (IPDGC) coordinates global efforts.
Active Phase I-III trials are evaluating:
Advanced MRI techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional connectivity, and tau PET, provide insights into disease progression and treatment response.
Boxer AL, et al. Advances in progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome. Lancet Neurology. 2023. 2023. ↩︎
Irwin DJ, et al. Biomarkers in neurodegenerative disease. Nature Reviews Neurology. 2023. 2023. ↩︎
Morris HR, et al. LRRK2 genetics and pathophysiology in Parkinson's disease. Brain. 2023. 2023. ↩︎