Thomas Klockgether

Thomas Klockgether is Professor of Neurology and Clinical Director of the Department of Neurology at the University of Bonn, Germany. Since 2011 he also serves as Director of Clinical Research at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE). From 2008 to 2011 he was Dean of the Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, and since 2010 he has been Speaker of the Center for Rare Diseases Bonn (ZSEB).

Education & Training:

• 1974–1980: Medical studies, University of Göttingen
• 1980–1983: Clinical training in internal medicine and anaesthesiology, Oldenburg
• 1987–1991: Neurology residency, University of Tübingen; board certification in neurology (1991)

Research Focus:
Prof. Klockgether’s research integrates clinical neurology, neurogenetics, neuropharmacology and advanced brain imaging to unravel the mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease and degenerative ataxias. Early work at the Max Planck Institute elucidated glutamatergic mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease and the mode of action of amantadine. Over the past two decades his laboratory has concentrated on:

• Natural history and biomarker discovery in spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA1, 2, 3, 6)
• Molecular genetics and pathogenesis of SCAs and multiple system atrophy
• Development and validation of the SARA (Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia) clinical scale
• International therapy development platforms such as EUROSCA, RISCA, ESMI and the Ataxia Global Initiative (AGI) launched in 2018

Scientific Awards & Distinctions:

• Attempto-Prize, University of Tübingen (1991)
• Schilling Professorship, Stifterverband (1993)
• Award of the German Heredoataxia Society (1994)
• Holmes Prize, Fondation de l’Ataxie cérébelleuse (1999)
• Guest Professorship, Central South University, China (2007)
• Honorary Member, German Heredoataxia Society (2013)

Leadership & Collaborative Networks:
As Speaker of the Center for Rare Diseases Bonn (ZSEB) and Director of Clinical Research at DZNE, Prof. Klockgether coordinates multicentre longitudinal cohort studies, biomarker consortia and early-phase therapeutic trials. He founded the Ataxia Global Initiative (AGI) in 2018 and chairs its international steering committee, uniting academic centres, industry and patient organisations worldwide to accelerate therapy development for ataxias.