Thomas D. Bird, M.D.

Research Neurologist                                   
VA Puget Sound Health Care System                                 
Professor, Neurology and Medicine (Medical Genetics)
Head, Division of Neurogenetics                             
University of Washington
tomnroz@u.washington.edu

Dr. Bird’s research is focused on genetic factors in hereditary diseases of the nervous system.  He and his colleagues have identified important genetics causes of familial Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy and hereditary ataxia.  Dr. Bird continues to pursue neurogenetic research in these disorders.  In the clinical arena he directs Neurogenetic Clinics at both the Seattle VA Medical Center and the University of Washington.  He leads the Clinical Core of the Muscular Dystrophy Research Center.  These clinic activities include the teaching of medical students, neurology and medical genetics residents, geriatric fellows and nursing graduate students.