Brian Jung

Brian Jung, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. His academic appointment falls within the Clinical Departments structure of the medical school, focusing on the intersection of neurological disorders and cognitive function.

Dr. Jung's research program centers on cognitive impairment patterns in cerebellar disorders, with particular expertise in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) and idiopathic late-onset cerebellar ataxia (ILOCA). His work employs comprehensive neurocognitive testing to examine domains including visuo-spatial executive function, phonemic and semantic verbal fluency, mental flexibility, and working memory. Through principal component analysis and correlation studies with disease duration, he has identified distinct cognitive profiles that differentiate SCA6 from ILOCA, suggesting potential SCA6 subtypes with varying cognitive manifestations.

His publication record demonstrates an evolving research trajectory from foundational work on SCA6 through to current genomic and therapeutic investigations. Recent publications focus on systematic reviews of cerebellar disorders, genomic approaches to understanding ILOCA etiology, and exploring exercise-based interventions for cognitive symptoms. His research challenges traditional views of the cerebellum as solely a motor structure, highlighting its critical role in cognitive processing and advancing both diagnostic approaches and potential interventions for patients with cerebellar ataxias.