Helena Chang Chui

Dr. Helena Chang Chui is Chair and Professor of Neurology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, holding the Raymond and Betty McCarron Endowed Chair. She leads the NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and a multi-institutional program on vascular dementia. Her research focuses on Alzheimer’s disease, vascular cognitive impairment, and neuroimaging biomarkers, with over 120 publications. Notable contributions include studies on APOE4’s role in Alzheimer’s, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and the impact of air pollution on neurodegeneration.

Education & Affiliations: Dr. Chui’s expertise spans neurology, dementia, and vascular disorders. She serves on editorial boards for journals like JAMA Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders.

Research Interests: Her work integrates clinical, epidemiological, and molecular approaches to understand Alzheimer’s pathology, vascular contributions to cognitive decline, and environmental risk factors. Key themes include APOE4 genetics, neuroimaging techniques (e.g., MRI, PET), and translational research in prevention strategies like DHA supplementation (PreventE4 trial).

Publications Trends: Recent studies highlight air pollution’s role in neurodegeneration, genetic/epigenetic factors in Alzheimer’s, and biomarkers of blood-brain barrier integrity. Her work bridges clinical observations with molecular mechanisms, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.

Awards: Recognized as a Pasadena Magazine Top Doctor (2011) for her clinical and research contributions.

Grants & Leadership: Principal investigator for major grants including the Alzheimer Disease Research Center (NIA-funded). Leads multidisciplinary teams addressing dementia’s vascular and genetic underpinnings.

Labs & Teams: Directs research groups at the Keck School of Medicine, focusing on translational neurology and population studies in dementia prevention.