Jeffrey M. Burns

Jeffrey M. Burns is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He serves as Co-Director of the KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (KU ADRC), Director of the Neurocognitive Division in the Department of Neurology, and Director of the Memory Care Clinic at the University of Kansas Health System. Additionally, he leads the Clinical and Translational Science Unit. His work focuses on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and brain aging, with a particular emphasis on lifestyle interventions such as exercise and dietary modifications.

• BA in English and Japanese from the University of Notre Dame
• MD from the University of Kansas Medical Center
• MS in Clinical Research (Biostatistics and Epidemiology) from the University of Kansas Medical Center
• Postdoctoral fellowship in Alzheimer's disease at Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Burns' research examines how lifestyle factors like fitness, diet, and vascular health influence brain aging and AD progression. He has led NIH-funded clinical trials assessing exercise and dietary interventions (e.g., ketogenic diets) for neurocognitive health. His work also explores the integration of quantitative imaging techniques to enhance early amyloid detection and the relationship between vascular health and cerebral amyloid burden.

His leadership roles include steering committee memberships in national AD research networks and founding the Alzheimer's clinical research program at KU Medical Center in 2004, which has grown into a multidisciplinary hub for AD research and training. He has been continuously funded by the NIH as a PI since 2005.

• Alzheimer's Association Clinician Scientist Fellowship

Dr. Burns co-directs the KU ADRC Clinical Core, directs the AD Clinical Trials Unit (a national trial network site), and oversees the Memory Care Clinic. His clinical and research efforts aim to develop innovative care models for aging populations affected by memory disorders.