Salih Cayir, MD
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Postdoctoral AssociateDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Yale School of Medicine
801 Howard Ave
New Haven, Connecticut 06510
United States
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Postdoctoral Associate
Biography
Salih Cayir, MD, is a postdoctoral fellow in the Yale NeuroPET research program. Dr. Cayir's research utilizes in vivo and noninvasive neuroimaging techniques, including PET as well as structural and functional MRI, to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders such as frontotemporal dementia, addiction, and Parkinson's disease. His long-term goal is to develop imaging-based neural markers to predict illness onset, track disease progression, and inform treatment strategies.
Last Updated on September 28, 2025.
Education & Training
- MD
- Istanbul University School of Medicine (2024)
Advanced Training & Certifications
- HIPAA
- Yale University School of Medicine (2025)
Research
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Frontotemporal Dementia; Geriatric Psychiatry; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease
Public Health Interests
Environmental Health
ORCID
0000-0002-4071-5188
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Salih Cayir's published research.
Research Interests
Research topics Salih Cayir is interested in exploring.
David Matuskey, MD
Gustavo A. Angarita, MD, MHS
Jean-Dominique Gallezot, PhD
Takuya Toyonaga, MD, PhD
Adam Mecca, MD, PhD
Arman Fesharaki-Zadeh, MD, PhD, BMath
Parkinson Disease
Publications
2025
Measuring Dopamine Transporter Availability and Synaptic Density in Parkinson's Disease: A Dual‐Tracer Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Study
Sadabad F, Volpi T, Honhar P, Tinaz S, Dias M, Toyonaga T, Naganawa M, Gallezot J, Yang Y, Ibrahim W, Pittman B, Cayir S, Radhakrishnan R, Angarita G, Holmes S, Comley R, Carson R, Finnema S, Matuskey D. Measuring Dopamine Transporter Availability and Synaptic Density in Parkinson's Disease: A Dual‐Tracer Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Study. Movement Disorders 2025, 40: 2678-2687. PMID: 41040062, DOI: 10.1002/mds.70041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsC-UCB-JDopamine transporterHealthy controlsVentral striatumDisease stageSubstantia nigraSynaptic densityParkinson's diseaseDopamine transporter availabilityPositron emission tomography imaging studiesSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AAssessment of synaptic densityDopaminergic denervationBetween-group differencesTransporter availabilityBinding potentialNigrostriatal regionDisease durationDual-tracerImaging studiesPatientsPET imagingPresynaptic degenerationPD patientsDopamineCerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers and Cognition in Alzheimer Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia in a Memory Clinic Setting
Cayir, Salih MD*; Sadabad, Faranak Ebrahimian MD*; Mecca, Adam P. MD†; Matuskey, David MD*,†,‡; Fesharaki-Zadeh, Arman MD, PhD†,‡. Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers and Cognition in Alzheimer Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia in a Memory Clinic Setting. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders ():10.1097/WAD.0000000000000656, January 13, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/WAD.0000000000000656Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2024
Socioenvironmental Factors are Associated With Dopamine Transporter Availability in Healthy Individuals but not in Parkinson’s Disease
Cayir S, Tezel M, Matuskey D. Socioenvironmental Factors are Associated With Dopamine Transporter Availability in Healthy Individuals but not in Parkinson’s Disease. Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry And Neurology 2024, 38: 143-149. PMID: 39244698, PMCID: PMC12473387, DOI: 10.1177/08919887241281062.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsMedian household incomeDopaminergic functionHealthy individualsSocioenvironmental factorsEducation levelHousehold incomeZip code tabulation areasBrain dopaminergic functionDopamine transporter availabilityResidential zip codeParkinson's Progression Markers InitiativeParkinson's diseaseNo significant associationAmerican Community SurveyDAT availabilityDopamine transporterZip codesClinical dataHealthy subjectsSocioenvironmental variablesCommunity surveySignificant associationPD groupPoverty ratesStudy findingsA review of the kappa opioid receptor system in opioid use
Cayir S, Zhornitsky S, Barzegary A, Sotomayor-Carreño E, Sarfo-Ansah W, Funaro M, Matuskey D, Angarita G. A review of the kappa opioid receptor system in opioid use. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2024, 162: 105713. PMID: 38733895, PMCID: PMC12179786, DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105713.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsCitationsAltmetricConceptsKappa opioid receptor systemKappa-opioid receptorsOUD subjectsKappa-opioid receptor expressionOpioid withdrawal symptomsWithdrawal symptomsDynorphin levelsPeripheral blood lymphocytesOpioid useDrug-seeking/taking behaviorAnti-reward systemsKappa-opioid receptor antagonistClinical studiesCerebrospinal fluidOpioid receptor systemKOR/dynorphin systemDisorder subjectsOpioid receptorsOpioid intoxicationBlood lymphocytesReceptor systemOpioidWeb of ScienceClinical roleDynorphinRelationship between neuroimaging and cognition in frontotemporal dementia: An FDG‐PET and structural MRI study
Cayir S, Volpi T, Toyonaga T, Gallezot J, Yang Y, Sadabad F, Mulnix T, Mecca A, Fesharaki‐Zadeh A, Matuskey D. Relationship between neuroimaging and cognition in frontotemporal dementia: An FDG‐PET and structural MRI study. Journal Of Neuroimaging 2024, 34: 627-634. PMID: 38676301, PMCID: PMC11511789, DOI: 10.1111/jon.13206.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsMoCA scoresFDG-PETAssociation of cognitionStandardized uptake value ratioMontreal Cognitive AssessmentSignificant positive associationFrontotemporal dementiaPrimary outcome measurePosterior cingulate cortexDecline of cognitive functionYears of ageGM volumeFrontal cortexOutcome measuresCognitive dysfunctionGray matterCognitive AssessmentMoCAAssociated with cognitive dysfunctionFluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PETPositive associationMagnetic resonance imagingPartial volume correctionCognitive functionDementia
2023
Medical Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Habits, Computer Skills, Internet Use Disorder, and Success
DEMİRCİ, E. K., KERVANCIOĞLU, G., Cayir, S., KERVANCIOĞLU, E., & SARIDOĞAN, E. (2023). Medical Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Habits, Computer Skills, Internet Use Disorder, and Success. Kafkas Journal of Medical Sciences, 13(2), 129-138.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Activities
activity HAVEN Free Clinic
01/15/2025 - PresentPublic ServiceVolunteerDetailsAt HAVEN Free Clinic, I deliver both general health education and targeted interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent addiction in underserved communities across Connecticut. My role includes providing one-on-one counseling on behavioral change, illness management, and overall wellness. I also offer personalized guidance and resources on diet, exercise, hypertension, high cholesterol, weight management, and smoking cessation.activity The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
10/02/2024 - PresentPublic ServiceVolunteerDetailsI help raise awareness about frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) through community outreach. My role involves setting up informational tables at health fairs and fundraising events, sharing educational materials, and engaging with attendees—including caregivers and family members—to increase understanding of FTD.activity Synaptic density imaging in experienced meditators
06/01/2025 - 06/04/2025Poster PresentationBrain & Brain PETDetailsactivity Synaptic density differences between Parkinson’s disease patients with and without REM sleep behavior disorder symptoms
06/01/2025 - 06/04/2025Poster PresentationBrain & Brain PETDetailsactivity Empower Through Health
02/08/2025 - 06/01/2025Public ServiceVolunteer
Honors
honor Early Career Investigator Travel Bursary for Brain & Brain PET 2025
06/01/2025International Award International Society for Cerebral Blood Flow and MetabolismDetailsSouth Koreahonor Travel Award for Participation in International Scientific Meetings
01/15/2024International AwardThe Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyDetailsTurkey
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Yale School of Medicine
801 Howard Ave
New Haven, Connecticut 06510
United States