Rizwan S Akhtar

Rizwan S Akhtar, MD, PhD, serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He leads the Movement Disorders Biorepository and clinical trials for Parkinson disease, atypical parkinsonisms, and ataxias.

• Education: BS (Vanderbilt 2000), PhD & MD (UAB 2006/2007), residency and fellowship at University of Pennsylvania
• Professional Affiliations: Denning Ataxia Center, NUCATS Institute, Simpson Querrey Center for Neurogenetics

His research focuses on diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers for synucleinopathies (Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies) through clinical data, digital biomarkers, blood/CSF analysis, and genetic studies. Recent publications highlight amyloid-beta PET imaging in Parkinson's dementia, blood α-synuclein differentiation between PD/DLB, and automated MRI differentiation of parkinsonian disorders.

Key scientific awards include the American Neurological Association Travel Award (2017), University of Pennsylvania "Little Cheese" Award (2009), and multiple student/research awards from Vanderbilt, UAB, and UT Medical Branch. He actively participates in professional societies including the Parkinson Study Group, American Neurological Association, and Movement Disorders Society.