معرفی
Christopher H. van Dyck, MD, is the Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit (ADRU), the Yale Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), and the Division of Aging and Geriatric Psychiatry, highlighting his leadership in Alzheimer’s research and clinical care.
Dr. van Dyck's research is centered on neuroimaging and therapeutic interventions in Alzheimer’s disease and brain aging. His work employs positron emission tomography (PET) to investigate key molecular targets such as beta-amyloid, tau, and synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A), enabling in vivo characterization of synaptic changes across the Alzheimer’s spectrum. He has pioneered the use of SV2A PET as a biomarker for synaptic density and its integration into clinical trials.
His publication record reveals a strong emphasis on biomarker development, synaptic integrity, and therapeutic evaluation in Alzheimer’s disease. Recent articles focus on multi-tracer PET studies, deep learning applications in neuroimaging, and blood-based biomarkers for behavioral symptoms like apathy. His 2023 lead-author publication in the New England Journal of Medicine established lecanemab as the first disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, marking a pivotal advancement in the field.
- Leader in Advancing Research Award, Alzheimer’s Association (2017)
- Compassion and Cure Award, Alzheimer’s Association (2005)
- Junior Investigator Award, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (1996)
Dr. van Dyck has led or participated in over 100 clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease, including prodromal and preclinical stages. He co-chairs the Protocol Evaluation Committee of the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC). His research is supported by extensive collaborations with experts in neuroimaging, neurology, and psychiatry, and he is affiliated with key Yale initiatives such as the Wu Tsai Institute and the Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. He mentors trainees and leads a multidisciplinary research team focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
His laboratory, the Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, is dedicated to integrating molecular imaging with clinical and cognitive assessments to unravel the earliest neurobiological changes in Alzheimer’s disease. The team utilizes advanced PET methodologies and fluid biomarkers to study disease progression and treatment response, with a strong focus on longitudinal and pre-symptomatic investigations.