Research
Emphasis Areas

Research Affiliates

Core Services
Behavioral Science Core

Brain Imaging Core

Cellular Morphology Core

Genetics Core

Infant Primate Research Laboratory Core

Instrument Development Laboratory Core

James Leverenz, M.D.

Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Research Affiliate, Center on Human Development and Disability
leverenz@u.washington.edu
206-277-1047
University of Washington, Box 358280
Seattle, WA 98195-8280

Dr. Leverenz leads research on the neuropathology, anatomy, and clinical neurology of degenerative neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's. His current work incorporates a series of patho-anatomical studies of early Alzheimer's disease pathology in Down syndrome, mild Alzheimer's disease and normal aging. Because Alzheimer's pathology occurs much more frequently and earlier among people with Down syndrome, Leverenz has begun including adults from this population in his research. His goal is to gain understanding of the aging process in people with Down syndrome and thus gain understanding of how Alzheimer's disease develops in aging persons with and without Down syndrome.

In his effort to understand early development of Alzheimer's, Leverenz is studying roles of two proteins associated the disease–tau and beta amyloid–and their abnormal appearance before typical pathological changes of Alzheimer's (senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles). Examining the earliest changes in these proteins may elucidate the early pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease.

James Leverenz's web page

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 • chdd@u.washington.edu