Brad Hyman, MD, PhD

Dr. Hyman directs the Alzheimer’s unit at MIND, with the goal of understanding the neuropathophysiologic and genetic factors that underlie dementia.

The take-off point for Dr. Hyman’s research program is studies that have led to a detailed understanding of the neural system failure that underlies cognitive loss in Alzheimer’s, and to an appreciation of how genetics impacts pathophysiology. His laboratory also uses transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and in vitro systems to examine the roles of presenilin mutations and receptors in neuronal function and on Alzheimer-related processes.

A recent initiative in Dr. Hyman’s laboratory has been the development of in vivo imaging with 2-photon confocal microscopy. This provides the ability to view neurons in the intact, functioning brain in mice and track the pathological changes that occur during disease processes. His lab has shown that that plaques can be reversed by therapeutic application of antibodies.

In addition to his work in Alzheimer’s disease, Dr Hyman’s laboratory has been pursing the role of the protein alpha-synuclein, which is thought to be involved in the cause of Parkinson’s disease. Using sophisticated optical imaging methods and gene transfer techniques, they have found several kinds of molecules which can change the metabolism and effects of synuclein, and which may be targets for preventative or neuroprotective treatments.

Dr. Hyman is statewide chair of the Massachusetts Alzheimers Association Memory Walk.