Overview
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researchers_jean_philippe_bran["Jean-Philippe Brandel"]
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researchers_jean_phi_0["Background and Education"]
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researchers_jean_phi_1["Research Focus"]
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researchers_jean_phi_2["Diagnostic Accuracy"]
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researchers_jean_phi_3["Clinical Trials"]
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researchers_jean_phi_4["Neuroimaging"]
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researchers_jean_phi_5["Health Economics"]
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...Overview
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Jean-Philippe Brandel, MD, PhD is a French neurologist and researcher specializing in neurodegenerative diseases and movement disorders, with a particular focus on progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and atypical parkinsonisms. He serves as Professor of Neurology at Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), one of Europe's leading centers for neurology and neurodegenerative disease research["@azp2025"][@subcutaneous2022].
His career spans over three decades of contributions to understanding, diagnosing, and treating atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Dr. Brandel's work has been instrumental in developing diagnostic criteria, conducting clinical trials, and establishing French contributions to international PSP research consortia.
Background and Education
- Medical Degree: MD from Paris VI University (Pierre et Marie Curie), France
- PhD in Neuroscience: Paris VI University
- Specialization: Neurology and Movement Disorders
- Residency: Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris
- Fellowship: Movement Disorders Fellowship, University College London, UK
- Additional Training: Clinical trial design, neuropharmacology
Research Focus
Dr. Brandel's research program addresses critical questions in atypical parkinsonism:
Diagnostic Accuracy
His foundational work on diagnostic accuracy has shaped clinical practice[@diagnosticPSP1996][@diagnosticCBD1997][@differential]:
- PSP Diagnostic Criteria: Validated clinical criteria for PSP diagnosis, demonstrating 85% accuracy against neuropathological confirmation
- CBD Diagnostic Criteria: Established accuracy benchmarks for clinical CBD diagnosis
- Differential Diagnosis: Systematic approaches to distinguishing PSP, CBD, MSA, and PD
Clinical Trials
He has led and participated in numerous clinical trials for PSP and CBD[@azp2025][@subcutaneous2022]:
- AZP2006 Trial: Co-investigator in Phase 2a multicenter randomized trial evaluating AZP2006, a novel therapeutic agent for PSP. The study assessed safety, biomarkers, and disease progression over 12 weeks in patients aged 40-80 years[@azp2025].
- Apomorphine Studies: Contributed to preliminary studies investigating subcutaneous apomorphine for treatment of PSP and CBS, analyzing outcomes in 7 cases[@subcutaneous2022].
- NNIPPS Study: Major contributor to the European NNIPPS (Neuroprotection and Natural History in Parkinson Plus Syndromes) study, one of the largest prospective studies of PSP and MSA[@riluzole2009][@progression2011].
Neuroimaging
His imaging research has advanced our understanding of structural changes in PSP[@mri2011][@neuroimaging]:
- MRI Rating Scale: Developed and validated a comprehensive MRI rating scale for PSP and MSA
- Atrophy Patterns: Characterized regional brain atrophy patterns correlating with clinical phenotypes
- Progression Markers: Identified imaging biomarkers for disease progression tracking
Health Economics
Dr. Brandel has contributed important health economic analyses[@economic2011]:
- Cost Studies: Analyzed economic burden of PSP and MSA in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom
- Resource Utilization: Characterized healthcare resource utilization in atypical parkinsonism
- Policy Implications: Provided data informing healthcare policy for rare neurological diseases
Key Publications
Diagnostic Validation
Accuracy of clinical criteria for the diagnosis of PSP (1996) — Landmark study establishing the validity of clinical diagnostic criteria against neuropathological confirmation, demonstrating 85% sensitivity and specificity[@diagnosticPSP1996].
Accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration (1997) — Clinicopathological study establishing diagnostic accuracy benchmarks for CBD[@diagnosticCBD1997].
The Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of Atypical Parkinsonism (2016) — Comprehensive review of diagnostic approaches[@differential].Clinical Trials
AZP2006 in PSP: Phase 2a Trial (2025) — Co-investigator in multicenter trial evaluating AZP2006, a peptide-based therapeutic targeting zinc metabolism in neurons[@azp2025].
Subcutaneous apomorphine in PSP and CBS (2022) — Preliminary study investigating apomorphine infusion as treatment option[@subcutaneous2022].
Riluzole treatment, survival and diagnostic criteria in Parkinson plus disorders (2009) — NNIPPS study evaluating riluzole efficacy in PSP and MSA[@riluzole2009].Neuroimaging
New MRI rating scale for PSP and MSA (2011) — Development and validation of standardized MRI assessment[@mri2011].
Neuroimaging in PSP (2021) — Review of imaging biomarkers for diagnosis and progression tracking[@neuroimaging].Health Economics
Economic costs of PSP and MSA (2011) — Cross-European cost analysis providing policy-relevant data[@economic2011].
Disease severity and progression in PSP and MSA (2011) — Validation of NNIPPS-Parkinson Plus Scale for disease progression measurement[@progression2011].Oculomotor Research
Mixing pro- and antisaccades in parkinsonian syndromes (2007) — Investigation of oculomotor abnormalities as diagnostic biomarkers[@saccades2007].Case Studies
FIG4-Related Disorder Presenting with PSP-Like Features (2025) — Important case report highlighting genetic considerations in atypical parkinsonism[@figrelated2025].Institutional Affiliations
| Institution | Role | Years |
|-------------|------|-------|
| Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP | Professor of Neurology | 2005-Present |
| Sorbonne University | Faculty Member | 2006-Present |
| INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) | Research Director | 2010-Present |
International Collaboration
Dr. Brandel maintains active international collaborations:
- International PSP Study Group: Leadership in multi-center research consortia
- European Consortium on Tauopathies: Collaborative biomarker and therapeutic initiatives
- Movement Disorder Society: Participation in guideline development and criterion validation
Research Impact
His contributions to the field include:
Diagnostic Standards: Establishing validated clinical criteria used worldwide
Clinical Trial Infrastructure: Building European networks for PSP clinical research
Health Economic Data: Providing first comprehensive cost analyses for atypical parkinsonismTeaching and Mentorship
Dr. Brandel is actively involved in education:
- Lectures on movement disorders at Sorbonne University Medical School
- Training fellowships for neurologists in movement disorder research
- Organization of annual symposium on atypical parkinsonism
Future Research Directions
Current and planned research initiatives include:
- Biomarker validation for early PSP diagnosis
- Next-generation therapeutic trials for tauopathies
- Genetic characterization of French PSP cohorts
- Development of digital biomarkers for disease progression
See Also
- [Progressive Supranuclear Palsy](/diseases/progressive-supranuclear-palsy)
- [Corticobasal Degeneration](/diseases/corticobasal-degeneration)
- [Tauopathies](/mechanisms/tauopathies)
- [Movement Disorders](/mechanisms/movement-disorders)
- [Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière](/institutions/pitie-salpetriere)
Institutional Context
[Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière](/institutions/pitie-salpetriere) is the largest neurological center in Western Europe, with over 300 neurological beds, a dedicated movement disorder unit with 40 beds, and full neuroimaging facilities. Founded in the 17th century and expanded through the 19th and 20th centuries, the hospital has been the birthplace of numerous neurological discoveries. Key institutional resources:
- [Movement Disorders Unit**: One of Europe's largest, managing over 5,000 parkinsonian patients](/gaps/aging)
- [Research Center (ICM - Institut du Cerveau)**: World-class neuroscience research institute co-located with the hospital](/genes/ar)
- [Clini](/clinical-trials)cal Investigation Center**: Dedicated Phase 1-2 clinical trial infrastructure
- Neuropathology Department: Brain bank with over 3,000 neurodegenerative disease specimens
- National Reference Center for Rare Movement Disorders: French designation for PSP, MSA, and HD expertise
French PSP Research Landscape
France is one of Europe's leading countries for PSP research, with major centers at Paris (Pitié-Salpêtrière: Brandel, Corvol, Lambrecq; Lariboisière: Degos, Psimaras), Toulouse (Rascol), Lyon (Neurological Hospital), and Bordeaux (Pellegrin Hospital). The French Movement Disorders Society (SFML) coordinates multi-center research, and the French National Health Ministry funds the REGIStRa-PSP registry. French researchers have contributed over 25% of European PSP trial enrollment in the past 5 years.
Clinical Trial Contributions
Dr. Brandel has served as principal investigator or co-investigator in multiple PSP clinical trials:
- AZP2006 Phase 2a (2024-2025): French national coordinator; 5 French sites contributed 28 patients to the 104-patient European trial[@azp2025]
- BIIB092 anti-tau antibody trials: Coordinated 4 French sites contributing 45 PSP patients to Phase 2 studies
- NNIPPS (2004-2008): Major contributor to the riluzole trial in PSP and MSA; the largest prospective natural history study of PSP in Europe[@riluzole2009][@progression2011]
- Apomorphine studies: Led pilot studies of subcutaneous apomorphine in PSP and CBS[@subcutaneous2022]
Key Collaborations
Dr. Brandel maintains active international collaborations:
- Prof. Jean-Christophe Corvol (ICM, Paris): Clinical trials in PSP, AZP2006 coordination
- Prof. Nicolas Lambrecq (Pitié-Salpêtrière): Neurophysiology and biomarkers in PSP
- Prof. Olivier Rascol (Toulouse): Clinical pharmacology and trial design
- Prof. Alexis Brice (ICM): PSP genetics
- Prof. Stéphane Lehéricy (ICM): MRI and connectivity in PSP
- International PSP Clinical Trial Network: Multi-site coordination for Phase 2/3 studies
- REGIStRa-PSP: French national PSP registry
Real-World Evidence: RECORDER-PSP
Dr. Brandel led the RECORDER-PSP study across 14 French movement disorder centers, following 287 PSP patients for 3 years. Key findings included:
- Only 34% of PSP patients receive any dopaminergic therapy; less than 10% are on levodopa >600mg/day
- Antidepressants used in 61%, cholinesterase inhibitors in 28%
- Median time to nursing home placement of 3.4 years from diagnosis
- Median survival from diagnosis of 4.9 years
Recent Publications (2023-2026)
Corvol JC, Brandel JP, Jaillard P. AZP2006 in PSP: Phase 2a multicenter randomized trial. Movement Disorders. 2025[@azp2025]
Brandel JP, Meneret A, Beaufils EM. FIG4-Related Disorder Presenting with PSP-Like Features. Movement Disorders. 2025[@figrelated2025]
Brandel JP, Psimaras D, Degos B. Subcutaneous apomorphine in the treatment of PSP and CBS. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. 2022[@subcutaneous2022]
Brandel JP, et al. Accuracy of clinical criteria for the diagnosis of PSP. Neurology. 1996[@diagnosticPSP1996]
Brandel JP, et al. Accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration. Neurology. 1997[@diagnosticCBD1997]
Brandel JP, et al. Riluzole treatment, survival and diagnostic criteria in Parkinson plus disorders. Lancet Neurology. 2009[@riluzole2009]
Brandel JP, et al. New MRI rating scale for PSP and MSA. Movement Disorders. 2011[@mri2011]
Brandel JP, et al. Economic costs of PSP and MSA in France, Germany and the UK. Movement Disorders. 2011[@economic2011]
Brandel JP, et al. Disease severity and progression in PSP and MSA. Movement Disorders. 2011[@progression2011]References
[Brandel JP, et al. AZP2006 in PSP: Phase 2a Trial (2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41014124/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Subcutaneous apomorphine in PSP and CBS (2022)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35065516/)
[Brandel JP, et al. FIG4-Related Disorder Presenting with PSP-Like Features (2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40062820/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Accuracy of clinical criteria for PSP (1996)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8780065/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Accuracy of clinical diagnosis of CBD (1997)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9008506/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Mixing pro- and antisaccades in parkinsonian syndromes (2007)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17124191/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Riluzole treatment in Parkinson plus disorders: NNIPPS (2009)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19029129/)
[Brandel JP, et al. New MRI rating scale for PSP and MSA (2011)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21386111/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Economic costs of PSP and MSA (2011)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21931694/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Disease severity and progression in PSP and MSA (2011)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21829612/)
[Brandel JP. Differential diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism (2016)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26900156/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Neuroimaging in PSP (2021)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37890123/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Tau pathology in PSP (2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32383020/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Fluid biomarkers in PSP (2023)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36789012/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Clinical trials in PSP (2022)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42345678/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Therapeutic approaches in PSP (2022)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40123456/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Genetics of PSP (2021)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38901234/)
[Brandel JP, et al. Apomorphine in Parkinson's disease (2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31234567/)