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Christopher van Dyck, MD

Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry and of Neurology and Neuroscience
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Additional Titles

Director, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit

Director, Yale Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

Director, Division of Aging and Geriatric Psychiatry

About

Titles

Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry and of Neurology and Neuroscience

Director, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit; Director, Yale Alzheimer's Disease Research Center; Director, Division of Aging and Geriatric Psychiatry

Biography

Christopher H. van Dyck, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neuroscience; Director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit; Director, Yale Alzheimer's Disease Research Center; Director, Division of Aging and Geriatric Psychiatry.

His research focuses on neuroimaging and therapeutic studies of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and brain aging. His current imaging research utilizes positron emission tomography (PET) to study the beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau proteins, as well as the synaptic targets SV2A and mGluR5. He and his team are examining the full spectrum of AD, including AD-dementia, the prodromal condition of amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), and preclinical AD—in individuals at high familial and genetic risk.

He also has extensive experience in the conduct and leadership of therapeutic trials in AD. Since 1991 he has led or participated in approximately 90 clinical trials for AD, including the prodromal or preclinical stages. He currently serves on the Steering and Executive Committees and Co-Chairs the Protocol Evaluation Committee of the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC). His research accomplishments have been recognized by receipt of the 1996 Junior Investigator Award of the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry, the 2005 Compassion and Cure Award of the Alzheimer’s Association, and the 2017 Leader in Advancing Research Award of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

MD
Northwestern University (1984)
BA
Yale University (1978)
Resident
Yale-New Haven Hospital
Fellow
Yale University School of Medicine

Research

Overview

Neuroimaging of Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Aging.

The current research focus of Dr. van Dyck and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit (ADRU) is PET imaging of molecular targets of interest for Alzheimer’s disease across the full spectrum of disease from presymptomatic to symptomatic stages. These targets include the amyloid and tau proteins, glucose metabolism and synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) as an index of synaptic density. In particular, our team has led the development of SV2A PET in characterizing synaptic changes in Alzheimer’s disease and their relationships with amyloid and tau pathogenesis, glucose metabolism, and fluid biomarkers of synaptic and axonal integrity. The ability to characterize these changes in vivo has also permitted the study of associations with neuropsychological function. Our latest research is moving to the pre-symptomatic stages of Alzheimer’s disease —to investigate the earliest neurobiological changes, including their longitudinal sequence.


Therapeutic Studies of Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Aging.

Dr. van Dyck has led or participated in more than 100 clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, including the prodromal or preclinical stages. His extensive work in therapeutics culminated in 2023 in the lead authorship of the publication of the first disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (N. Engl. J. Med. 2023). Of particular interest is the intersection of neuroimaging and therapeutics and the use of SV2A PET as an outcome measure for trials of disease-modifying therapies.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Aging; Alzheimer Disease; Drug Therapy; Genetics; Neurobiology; Neuroimaging; Neurology; Positron-Emission Tomography; Psychiatry
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    Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit

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Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Christopher van Dyck's published research.

Publications

2024

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Clinical Trials

Current Trials

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • honor

    “Leader in Advancing Research” Award

    National AwardAlzheimer’s Association
  • honor

    Best Doctors in New York (Top 2%), as Featured in New York Magazine

    National AwardCastle Connolly
  • honor

    “Compassion and Cure” Award

    National AwardAlzheimer’s Association
  • honor

    Junior Investigator Award

    National AwardAmerican Association for Geriatric Psychiatry

Clinical Care

Overview

Clinical Specialties

Geriatric Psychiatry; Memory Disorders & Cognitive Neurology

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Geriatric Psychiatry

    Certification Organization
    AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
    Latest Certification Date
    2013
    Original Certification Date
    1994

  • Psychiatry

    Certification Organization
    AB of Psychiatry & Neurology
    Original Certification Date
    1991

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Contacts

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Mailing Address

Yale School of Medicine

One Church Street

New Haven, CT 06510

United States

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