Precision Neuropathology Core

The Precision Neuropathology Core provides diagnostic expertise, facilitates research, teaches and mentors trainees, and develops innovative research approaches to Alzheimer’s disease. Members of the Precision Neuropathology Core examine targeted spinal fluid biomarkers in the UW ADRC spinal fluid bank and provide targeted genetic testing relevant to Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases that cause dementia. In other words, this Core seeks ways to enhance the research value of tissue and body fluid donations from cognitively healthy individuals and patients so that researchers may begin to develop effective means of precision medicine for neurodegenerative diseases. 

The monthly Clinicopathological Correlation Conference at UW ADRC. The Precision Neuropathology Core holds a Clinicopathological Correlation Conference every third Friday from 9-10:30 am on Zoom. Dr. Dirk Keene and his colleagues present cases of interest to neuropathological and genetic research and lead a group discussion about new insights into the relationship between neuropathology, genetics, clinical disease manifestation.

Aim 1: Provide diagnostic expertise to physicians and researchers with timely and comprehensive autopsy reports that describe the neuropathologic features of AD and related diseases according to the most current guidelines and consensus diagnostic criteria.

Aim 2: Provide targeted cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker and genetic testing using contemporary techniques on specimens provided by the Clinical Core to enhance the research value of these cases for UW ADRC and other research projects.

To request tissue, access the UW Neuropathology Core Resource Request Form  

To learn more about tissue resources or donations contact Aimee Schantz at aschantz@uw.edu

Aim 3: Build a highly accessible, and appropriately safeguarded, repository of brain tissue, biological fluids, and neuropathologic data from carefully and longitudinally characterized patients with cognitive impairment or dementia, as well as cognitively normal individuals, using methods that maximize tissue and data quality.

Aim 4: Advance innovative Histelide approaches to rigorously quantify specific molecules in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) brain regions to enhance the research value of the full UW ADRC repository, as well as FFPE tissue in other brain banks.

Aim 5: Maintain a rich training environment for medical and graduate students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty to teach concepts and state-of-the-art techniques that advance current interdisciplinary research and foster future advances in brain aging and neurodegeneration.
 

The NPMT Core holds:

 

  • The Neuropathology Clinico-Pathologic Conference (CPC) is held every third Friday from 9-10 am in the Research & Teaching Building at Harborview Medical Center or virtually by videoconference. Dr. Dirk Keene and his colleagues present cases of interest to neuropathological and genetic research and lead a group discussion about new insights into the relationship between neuropathology, genetics, clinical disease manifestation. Please email Erica Melief at emelief@uw.edu  to be added to the CPC seminar email list.

 

  • The monthly Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration Research in Progress Seminar (RIPS). This conference is held monthly on the first Friday at 9:00 am at Harborview (currently virtual).

    The seminar is an opportunity for graduate students, fellows, and junior faculty to present their research in progress. Talks are designed to provide a supportive environment for trainees to learn to present scientific data and ideas, to receive feedback on research projects, hypotheses, and experimental designs, and to promote interactions between the brain aging and neurodegeneration scientific community and trainees. All who are interested are welcome and encouraged to attend. Contact Erica Melief <emelief@uw.edu> to receive notifications.

 

►Learn about the available resources from the Precision Neuropathology Core