Nicolai Franzmeier – Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging
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Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of cerebral beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau pathology, which together cause progressive neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.
Our overarching goal is to better understand the mechanisms that promote the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease in order to develop clinically applicable personalized medicine models for predicting patient-specific disease trajectories (e.g. Franzmeier et al., Alzheimers Dement, 2020). To this end, we combine multi-modal neuroimaging methods including positron-emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with clinical assessments and genetics in large-scale patient data.
A major research focus is the prediction of trans-neuronal tau pathology spread, i.e. the major driver of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. In a translational approach, we combine tau-PET imaging with MRI-based connectomics for modeling connectivity-based tau spreading patterns (e.g. Franzmeier et al., Brain, 2019; Nat Commun, 2020). We have recently established connectivity-based tau spreading models, which allow accurate prediction of future tau spreading patterns on the patient level (Franzmeier et al., Sci Adv, 2020). These prediction models have high clinical utility, as they can be utilized to determine patient-specific endpoints in tau targeting trials which can drastically enhance the sensitivity for detecting treatment effects
(see here: https://www.alzforum.org/news/research-news/connectivity-not-proximity-predicts-tau-spread or here: https://www.alzforum.org/news/research-news/individualized-tau-pet-model-outperforms-predictive-power-braak-staging)
In ongoing collaborative work, we are extensively validating these tau spreading models across atypical Alzheimer’s disease variants and other neurodegenerative tauopathies.For our second major interest, we study mechanisms by which life-style factors and genetic variants (i.e. SNPs) modulate Alzheimer’s disease risk. Here, we found recently that key risk SNPs in the BIN1 gene drive specifically the development of tau pathology (Franzmeier et al., Nat Commun, 2019), whereas carriage of SNPs related to neuronal plasticity (i.e. BDNFVal66Met) can be beneficial and attenuate the effect of Alzheimer’s disease pathology on neurodegeneration and cognitive decline (Franzmeier et al., Mol Neurodeg, 2020). In addition, we have identified protective brain mechanisms that are related to life-style factors (e.g. education) and buffer the effect of Alzheimer’s disease related brain changes on cognitive decline (e.g. Franzmeier et al., Neurology, 2017; Brain, 2018; Alz Res Ther, 2018).
In summary, our research is motivated by the understanding of brain mechanisms that 1) promote the progression of AD pathology and 2) mechanisms that may help protect individuals from developing dementia despite the presence and progression of AD pathology. As an outlook, we aim to bring together these different lines of research to determine how protective mechanisms, genetics and functional brain networks may modulate the spread and progression of AD pathology and the development of AD-related cognitive impairment.
Contact:
Dr. Nicolai Franzmeier
Phone: +49 89 4400 46162
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Nicolai Franzmeier, Principal Investigator
I am an early career investigator with a strong focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuroimaging research. I received undergraduate training in psychology and medicine from 2009-2014 in Innsbruck, Austria, after which I completed my PhD at the graduate school for systemic neurosciences (LMU) in Munich in 2017. I am specifically interested in the 1) spatiotemporal evolution of AD-related brain changes that underlie cognitive decline and 2) those factors that provide resilience in AD. My overall goal is to develop clinically useful models for predicting disease progression and to identify therapeutically relevant targets for secondary prevention of AD dementia. To this end, I am combining structural & functional MRI with molecular PET imaging and genetics. (Please read about CV on the next tab.)
Davina Biel, Postdoc
I received undergraduate training in psychology and neuroscience from the University of Bremen, including lab rotations in Barcelona and Melbourne. Afterwards I moved to Lübeck to start my PhD in Neuroscience, focusing cognitive training effects and structural brain changes in older adults. I graduated in September 2020 and since then join the ISD as a post-doc in Munich focusing on neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s disease. I am interested in mechanisms of tau-spreading, genetics, and health factors which help to understand the progression in Alzheimer’s disease and facilitate patient-specific risk prediction. Outside the lab, I like to spend my time outdoors, go bouldering, or read old Russian literature.
Anna Dewenter, PhD student
I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science at the University of Osnabrück, during which I spent a semester at the University of York (UK), and a research Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour (NL). In October 2019, I joined the ISD and the Graduate School for Systemic Neurosciences. My PhD project focusses on structural connectivity in cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) and the intersection between SVD and Alzheimer’s disease. As such, I am co-supervised by Prof. Marco Düring and Dr. Nicolai Franzmeier. In my free time, I enjoy hiking in the close-by Alps, cycling and travelling.
Sebastian Römer, Clinician Scientist
After receiving my Bachelor‘s degree in human and molecular biology at the University of Freiburg and Saarland, I went on studying Medicine at the University of Saarland. I am currently working on my doctoral thesis at the university clinic of the Technical University Munich (TUM, Neuroimmaging department), and started working as a medical doctor in the neurological intensive care unit oft the university clinic Munich (LMU, neurology). In August 2021 I joined the lab of Nicolai Franzmeier at ISD, trying to shed light on the pathophysiology of atypical parkisnon diseases in comparison to Alzheimer’s Disease, using advanced, state-of-the-art neuroimmaging methods. Outside oft he lab I enjoy meeting friends, travelling, playing volleyball, Ping-Pong and Chess.
Amir Dehsarvi, PhD
My research focuses on the application of machine learning/deep learning for the analysis of biomedical (brain imaging, movement, speech, etc.) data for disease diagnosis/target identification and validation (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.), using diverse types of large, complex, biomedical datasets (e.g., brain imaging, movement, and speech), in which I lead the development of novel end-to-end analyses. I joined ISD as a postdoctoral researcher to continue my research career in March 2022. Here, I mainly work on developing cutting-edge preprocessing and processing techniques for different image modalities. Prior to this, I received my BSc in applied science electronics in Iran, and I completed a MSc in digital signal processing, followed by a PhD in electronic engineering at the University of York, UK. Subsequently, I have been working within various research positions at the University of York (England), the University of Aberdeen (Scotland), and at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), in addition to working in various diverse biomedical companies (Spain, England, and the USA). In my spare time, I am an avid film enthusiast and I collect music, I play the Setar (a traditional Iranian instrument), and I enjoy hiking and cycling in the nature.
Anna Steward, PhD student
After achieving a BSc in Psychology I went on to obtain an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of York, UK. My main research focus was in the field of semantic cognition in which I investigated the interactions of major cortical networks responsible for flexible semantic retrieval using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Now, at the ISD, my research focuses on functional connectivity in Alzheimer's disease and its influence on the spread of amyloid beta and tau pathologies. Outside of work I am a keen hiker, skier and cook
Hannah De Bruin, PhD Student
I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the VU Amsterdam, with a specialization in Biological- and Neuropsychology. Within this program, I got the opportunity to spend a semester at the University at Buffalo in New York State (USA). While taking several neuroscience courses, I developed a strong interest in the complex mechanisms of the human brain and went on to obtain both a two-year Research Master in Neurosciences in Amsterdam as well as a clinical Master’s degree in Neuropsychology. After graduation, I worked as a neuropsychologist in a nursing home for a year, and in June of 2022 I started my PhD in a cross-border research project in the labs of Dr. Nicolai Franzmeier at the ISD and in Dr. Rik Ossenkoppele’s lab at the Alzheimer Center Amsterdam. In my PhD-project, we explore functional connectivity as a predictor of tau spreading in atypical variants of Alzheimer’s disease by combining PET and Post-Mortem data. I am doing my PhD part-time, as I carry on with my work as a neuropsychologist for one day a week. In my leisure time, I like to meet with friends, watch movies, go swimming, travel, and cuddle with my cats.
Fabian Wagner, MD doctoral student
After growing up near the city of Linz in Austria, I have been studying medicine at the LMU since fall 2018. In the summer of 2022, I joined Franzmeier lab for my MD-Thesis. I am investigating the complex interplay between Beta-Amyloid and Tau in Alzheimer’s disease using imaging data. In my spare time I participate in extracurricular student groups, play guitar and attend language courses.
Mattes Groß, MD student
I am a medical student at the LMU and I joined the Franzmeier lab in the winter of 2023 to work on my MD thesis. My research focuses on PET imaging in patients with 4-repeat tauopathies. I aim to help improve the diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome through image analysis and a data-driven approach.
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Nicolai Franzmeier, Principal investigator
PI data sheet:
I am an early career investigator with a strong focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuroimaging research. I received undergraduate training in psychology and medicine from 2009-2014 in Innsbruck, Austria, after which I completed my PhD at the graduate school for systemic neurosciences (LMU) in Munich in 2017. I am specifically interested in the 1) spatiotemporal evolution of AD-related brain changes that underlie cognitive decline and 2) those factors that provide resilience in AD. My overall goal is to develop clinically useful models for predicting disease progression and to identify therapeutically relevant targets for secondary prevention of AD dementia. To this end, I am combining structural & functional MRI with molecular PET imaging and genetics.
Personal Data:
Nicolai Franzmeier, PhD
Date of birth: 05 April 1989
Place of birth: Munich
Junior Research Group Leader
Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research
Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich
Scientific vita:
Since 2021: Junior Research Group Leader, Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, LMU Hospital
2017-2020: Post-doctoral researcher, Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, LMU Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich
2014-2017: PhD, Graduate School for Systemic Neurosciences, Institute for Strike and Dementia Research, LMU Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich
Coordinating functions, honors and Awards:
2022: Helga Freyberg Rüßmann Award for Medical Research
2020: Bayer Early Excellence in Science Award
Since 2019: Vice-Chair: Reserve, Resilience and Protective Factors Professional Interest Area (PIA), ISTAART, Alzheimer’s Association
2017-2019: Programs Chair: Reserve, Resilience and Protective Factors Professional Interest Area (PIA), ISTAART, Alzheimer’s Association
2017: Steinberg-Krupp Alzheimer Research Award
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Funding:
We gratefully acknowledge funding by the following funding agencies:
Alzheimer’s Association
LMUexcellent
Die Alzheimer Forschung Initiative e.V.
Bright-Focus Foundation
Gemeinnützige Hertie Stiftung
Excellence program for research and funding (FöFoLe, LMU)
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Dr. Nicolai Franzmeier
Tel: +49 89 4400 46162
nicolai.franzmeier@med.uni-muenchen.de