Dennis W. Dickson

Dennis W. Dickson, M.D., is a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where he serves as a Consultant in the Department of Neuroscience. He leads the Mayo Clinic brain bank, a major national resource for neuropathological research, and directs an American Parkinson Disease Association Center for Advanced Research. His work is pivotal in understanding the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders through extensive collaboration with institutions like the National Institute on Aging, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the Brain Support Network.

Education:

• MD, University of Iowa
• Clinical Fellowship, Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Residency and Chief Residency, Department of Pathology, Bronx Municipal Hospital Center

Dr. Dickson’s research focuses on the neuropathological underpinnings of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, frontotemporal dementia, and TDP-43 proteinopathies. His team utilizes advanced techniques such as histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and genetic analysis to characterize brain tissue from longitudinal studies and transgenic models. His work has been instrumental in defining molecular and pathological signatures of these diseases, bridging clinical and pathological findings.

The most recent publications highlight ongoing research into tau isoforms in Pick’s disease, PINK1 assays for Parkinson’s, neuroimaging in PSP, and transcriptional differences between Lewy body and Alzheimer’s diseases. These studies reflect a strong trend toward molecular diagnostics, biomarker discovery, and clinicopathological correlation across neurodegenerative conditions.

Scientific Awards:

• Robert E. Jacoby Professor for Alzheimer's Research, Mayo Clinic (2010)
• Potamkin Prize, American Academy of Neurology (2011)
• Award for Meritorious Service, American Association of Neuropathologists (2016)
• Award for Medical Research, Metropolitan Life (2001)
• President, American Association of Neuropathologists (2001–2002)

Dr. Dickson has secured significant grant funding, including multiple awards from the National Institute on Aging, supporting projects such as ‘Clinicopathological Studies’ and the ‘Neuropathology Core.’ He mentors a large research team and collaborates with leading scientists like Owen A. Ross, Nilufer Ertekin-Taner, and Marka M. Van Blitterswijk. His lab contributes frozen and fixed brain tissues to qualified researchers globally, advancing translational science.

He oversees the CurePSP Brain Bank and contributes to major research centers including the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. His work ensures high-quality neuropathological diagnosis, providing closure to families and feedback to clinicians, while driving the development of targeted therapies and prevention strategies.