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Jaime Grutzendler, MD

Dr. Harry M. Zimmerman and Dr. Nicholas and Viola Spinelli Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience
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Additional Titles

Vice-Chair for Research, Neurology

Director, Center for Experimental Neuroimaging

About

Titles

Dr. Harry M. Zimmerman and Dr. Nicholas and Viola Spinelli Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience

Vice-Chair for Research, Neurology; Director, Center for Experimental Neuroimaging

Biography

Dr. Grutzendler obtained his MD from Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia, where he was born and raised. He completed a medical internship in Internal Medicine and a residency in Neurology at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Following that, he pursued a combined clinical and research fellowship in the Alzheimer Disease Research Center and the Department of Neurobiology at Washington University, with additional neurobiology research training at the Skirball Institute of New York University. Dr. Grutzendler's laboratory is dedicated to understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of normal brain function and neuropathology. They have a particular focus on elucidating mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration, such as those found in Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, they aim to advance the understanding of cell-cell interactions through the utilization of intravital optical imaging techniques, enabling them to study the brain in real-time and observe dynamic processes at the cellular and molecular levels. Moreover, their laboratory is interested in developing therapeutics for brain disorders. Leveraging their expertise in brain imaging, they work with chemists to develop novel small molecules to target specific brain cell types for drug delivery and as imaging probes. In addition to the research endeavors, Dr. Grutzendler is actively involved in clinical activities focused on dementia and Alzheimer's patients. He works closely with individuals affected by these neurodegenerative disorders, providing comprehensive care and support.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Postdoctoral Fellow
Skirball Institute/New York University (2003)
Research Fellow
Washington University in St. Louis (2000)
Clinical Fellow
Washington University in St. Louis (2000)
Resident
Washington Univeristy in St. Louis (1998)
Intern
Washington University in St. Louis (1995)
MD
Universidad Javeriana School of Medicine (1991)

Research

Overview

  • Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration: Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s are the result of complex and multicellular age-related cellular processes that disrupt normal cellular functions and neuroglial interactions. This eventually results in disruption of intercellular communication, loss of synapses and cell death. We are interested in various components of neurodegeneration including: 1) axonal disruption in Alzheimer’s disease; 2) age-related myelin degeneration; 3) neuroprotective roles of glial cells during amyloid deposition; 4) mechanisms of cell death and corpse removal by glial cells; 5) mechanism of disruption of gliovascular interactions.
  • Development of methods for intravital imaging and targeted cellular manipulation: In order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of neurodegenerative processes, we develop and implement a variety of methodologies for high-resolution in vivo optical brain imaging and novel methods for cell-specific labeling and manipulation. Examples of techniques that we have developed include: 1) spectral confocal reflectance microscopy (SCoRe) for high-resolution intravital label-free imaging of myelinated axons; 2) Two photon targeted chemical-apoptotic ablation (2Phatal) of cells in vivo to understand the dynamics of glial interactions with dying cells; 3) discovery of small fluorescent molecules for cell specific labeling during intravital imaging.
  • Translational neuroscience: we have active efforts at developing neurotherapeutics within the field of neurodegeneration and nervous system injury. One goal is the development of treatments with cellular specificity. We have and ongoing program involving collaboration with chemists for the development of small molecules with unique properties of crossing the blood brain barrier and entering specific neural cell types to delivering therapeutic cargos. In addition, we are exploring the use of novel biologicals (antibodies and antisense oligos). We aim to apply these therapeutic agents in preclinical studies to target some of the pathological features of degeneration (axonal, myelin, microglia and vascular) that we have uncovered.

Medical Research Interests

Alzheimer Disease; Astrocytes; Axons; Blood-Brain Barrier; Capillaries; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Microglia; Microscopy; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuronal Plasticity; Pericytes; Regional Blood Flow

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Jaime Grutzendler's published research.

Publications

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Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

Honors

  • honor

    Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Elected Member

    01/01/2018Regional Award
  • honor

    Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Elected Member

    07/17/2017National Award
  • honor

    American Society for Clinical Investigation, Elected Member

    04/27/2012National Award
  • honor

    McCance Yale Scholar

    08/01/2011Yale University Award
  • honor

    NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award

    05/05/2010National Award
View full list of honors

Clinical Care

Overview

Jaime Grutzendler, MD, works with patients in the Adler Memory Clinic at Yale, where he combines innovative therapies with his specialized expertise in dealing with dementia, and connects families to support groups and services. “In some ways, you are treating the family,” he says. The clinic works closely with the Yale Medicine Dorothy Adler Geriatric Assessment Program, an outpatient consultative service with a national reputation.

Dr. Grutzendler cares for patients with Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal and vascular dementia, as well as behavioral and neurodegenerative disorders. He and his colleagues have access to innovative therapies—sometimes before they hit the market. “Scientists have been learning more about the role of genes in Alzheimer’s, and the Adler Memory Clinic utilizes genetic testing for some patients, he says.

A native of Bogotá, Colombia, Dr. Grutzendler is working toward improving care for patients through the Grutzendler Lab at Yale, where he works with researchers to understand brain function and the cellular basis of neurological diseases. In addition, he directs the Center for Experimental Neuroimaging at Yale, fostering interactions among Yale investigators who study the physiology and pathology of the central and peripheral nervous systems to better understand and treat a variety of neurological conditions.

Clinical Specialties

Neurology

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