Hirofumi Yoshino, MD, PhD is a Japanese neurologist specializing in movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. He is affiliated with Juntendo University, a leading medical institution in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Yoshino is internationally recognized for his work on tauopathies including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). His research integrates genetic, transcriptomic, histological, and biochemical approaches to understand the pathogenesis of atypical parkinsonian disorders.
Hirofumi Yoshino, MD, PhD is a Japanese neurologist specializing in movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. He is affiliated with Juntendo University, a leading medical institution in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Yoshino is internationally recognized for his work on tauopathies including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). His research integrates genetic, transcriptomic, histological, and biochemical approaches to understand the pathogenesis of atypical parkinsonian disorders.
| Attribute | Details |
|-----------|--------|
| Current Position | Professor of Neurology |
| Institution | Juntendo University, Graduate School of Medicine |
| Location | Tokyo, Japan |
| Research Focus | Tauopathies, atypical parkinsonisms, neurodegenerative diseases |
| Specialty | Movement disorders, neuropathology, biomarker development |
| Medical Training | MD, PhD in Neurology |
Dr. Yoshino completed his medical training at Juntendo University School of Medicine and pursued doctoral research focused on the neuropathology of atypical parkinsonian disorders. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at University College London, where he worked with leading researchers in the field of tauopathies. Since establishing his independent research program, he has become one of the world's leading authorities on PSP and related disorders.
Juntendo University is one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious medical schools, founded in 1838. The Department of Neurology at Juntendo is recognized internationally for research on neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Yoshino leads the Movement Disorders Research Group within the department[@juntendo].
Dr. Yoshino maintains active collaborations with:
Dr. Yoshino's research encompasses several interconnected domains in neurodegenerative disease research:
PSP is a 4R-tauopathy characterized by the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein in subcortical structures. Dr. Yoshino has made significant contributions to understanding the clinicopathological features of PSP, including the identification of distinct clinical variants such as PSP with parkinsonism (PSP-P), PSP with pure akinesia with gait freezing (PSP-PAGF), and corticobasal syndrome (CBS) as a presentation of underlying PSP pathology[@yoshino2022clinic].
CBD is now recognized as a spectrum disorder related to PSP, with overlapping clinical and pathological features. Dr. Yoshino's retrospective multicenter study established key clinicopathological characteristics of CBD, demonstrating significant phenotypic heterogeneity[@yoshino2022clinic]. His work has helped establish that CBD should be considered part of the PSP spectrum rather than a distinct entity.
The development of reliable biomarkers for tauopathies is a major research priority. Dr. Yoshino has contributed to multiple biomarker modalities:
Genetics plays an important role in PSP susceptibility. Dr. Yoshino has contributed to genetic studies identifying novel risk genes for PSP[@yoshino2018genetics]. His recent integrated genetic analysis identified novel risk genes and demonstrated that glial activation pathways are major drivers of disease progression[@yoshino2024glial].
Understanding tau biology is essential for developing disease-modifying therapies. Dr. Yoshino's research has outlined novel therapeutic approaches targeting tau protein[@yoshino2020therapeutic]. He has also contributed to clinical trial design and outcome measures for PSP trials[@yoshino2023clinicaltrials][@yoshino2024moca].
This landmark study applied integrated multi-omics approaches to PSP brain tissue, revealing that glial activation is a major pathway driving disease progression[@yoshino2024glial]. The study identified novel risk genes and provided insights into disease mechanisms that could be targeted therapeutically.
Developed a practical diagnostic algorithm specifically designed for general neurologists who may encounter atypical parkinsonian disorders in clinical practice[@yoshino2024algorithm]. This algorithm addresses the challenge of distinguishing PSP, CBD, MSA, and Parkinson's disease in community settings.
Contributed to a comprehensive review of emerging research directions in tau biology, including post-translational modifications, tau aggregation mechanisms, and therapeutic targeting[@yoshino2024tau].
Authored a landmark perspective piece commemorating 100 years since the first description of PSP by John Steele, Jerome Richardson, and Kenneth Shulman in 1964[@yoshino2024psp100]. This review synthesizes current understanding and identifies key frontiers for future research.
Evaluated the utility of the MoCA as a cognitive outcome measure for clinical trials in PSP[@yoshino2024moca]. This work has important implications for trial design and regulatory approval.
Dr. Yoshino has published extensively in high-impact journals. Selected recent publications:
Dr. Yoshino's research intersects with numerous NeuroWiki topics:
Dr. Yoshino has worked with leading researchers in the field, including:
Dr. Yoshino advocates for an integrated, multi-modal approach to studying tauopathies. His research philosophy emphasizes:
Current research directions include:
Dr. Yoshino has received recognition for his contributions to neurodegenerative disease research: