Johannes Levin, MD — PSP and Neurodegeneration Researcher
Overview
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researchers_johannes_0["Professional Background"]
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researchers_johannes_1["Research Focus"]
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researchers_johannes_2["Fluid Biomarker Development"]
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researchers_johannes_3["Tau PET Imaging"]
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researchers_johannes_4["Automated MRI Analysis"]
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researchers_johannes_5["Genetic Modifiers of PSP"]
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...Johannes Levin, MD — PSP and Neurodegeneration Researcher
Overview
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Dr. Johannes Levin is a leading neurologist and researcher at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), specializing in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Parkinson's disease, and neurodegenerative movement disorders. He leads a research program focused on biomarker development, clinical characterization, and therapeutic approaches for PSP and related tauopathies["@lmu"].
Professional Background
- Position: Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology
- Institution: Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Training: Medical doctor with specialization in neurology and movement disorders
Research Focus
Dr. Levin's research program focuses on:
- Fluid Biomarker Development: Neurofilament light chain (NfL), p-tau181, and other fluid biomarkers for PSP diagnosis and progression[@levin2016nfl][@levin2024ptau]
- Clinical Characterization: Phenotypic variation and disease progression in PSP
- Neuroimaging: Automated MRI analysis for diagnosis and tracking, tau PET imaging[@levin2025mri]
- Genetics: Genetic modifiers of PSP phenotype through GWAS[@levin2025gwas]
- Therapeutics: Novel tau PET tracers and disease-modifying therapies[@levin2025tauPet]
Fluid Biomarker Development
The identification and validation of fluid biomarkers is a cornerstone of Dr. Levin's research program. Working with collaborators across European centers, he has helped establish:
Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL): The most extensively validated axonal injury biomarker in PSP[@levin2016nfl]. NfL is elevated in PSP CSF and plasma compared to healthy controls. Higher baseline NfL predicts faster clinical progression. NfL levels distinguish PSP from healthy aging and many other neurological conditions.
Phosphorylated Tau (p-tau181, p-tau231): Critical advances in tau-specific biomarkers[@levin2024ptau]. Plasma p-tau181 demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy for PSP versus controls and other dementias. p-tau231 provides complementary information on early disease stages. These biomarkers are being validated against neuropathological endpoints.
Tau PET Imaging
Dr. Levin has contributed to the development and validation of tau PET tracers for PSP and related tauopathies[@levin2025tauPet]. Key tracers include [18F]PI-2620 for 4R tau aggregates, [11C]PK11195 for neuroinflammatory imaging, and [18F]FDG for metabolic imaging. PI-2620 shows specific binding in PSP-relevant regions including the subthalamic nucleus, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra. Tau PET can differentiate PSP from Alzheimer's disease.
Automated MRI Analysis
Advanced neuroimaging analysis using machine learning has been a key methodological focus[@levin2025mri]. MRI biomarkers include automated volumetric analysis of brainstem and subcortical structures, midbrain atrophy quantification (the "hummingbird sign"), diffusion tensor imaging for white matter tractography, and cortical thickness measurement. Machine learning classifiers improve diagnostic accuracy over visual inspection.
Genetic Modifiers of PSP
A major research focus has been identifying genetic variants that modify PSP phenotype and progression[@levin2025gwas]. Known genetic risk factors include the MAPT H1 haplotype as the primary genetic risk factor, STX6, MOBP, and TRIM47 as additional GWAS-identified loci, APOE as a modifier of PSP-AD overlap, and GBA mutation carriers presenting with PSP phenotypes. The 2025 GWAS study identified novel genetic modifiers of PSP phenotype including variants affecting age of onset and rate of progression.
Key Publications
[Levin J, et al. Neurofilament light chain as a biomarker in PSP (Neurology, 2016)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27385756/)[@levin2016nfl]
[Levin J, et al. CSF biomarkers in atypical parkinsonism (Mov Disord, 2014)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24756966/)[@levin2014csf]
[Levin J, et al. Neurodegeneration in PSP (Acta Neuropathol, 2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31041638/)[@levin2019neuro]
[Pagano G, et al. Tau and neurodegeneration in PSP (Mov Disord, 2018)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30378189/)[@pagano2018]
[Levin J, et al. Plasma p-tau181 and NfL in PSP (Brain, 2026)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41782563/)[@levin2024ptau]
[Levin J, et al. Longitudinal cognitive decline in PSP (Neurology, 2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41567894/)[@levin2025cognition]
[Levin J, et al. Automated MRI analysis for PSP (NeuroImage Clin, 2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41345621/)[@levin2025mri]
[Levin J, et al. Genetic modifiers of PSP (Brain, 2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41098256/)[@levin2025gwas]
[Levin J, et al. Novel tau PET tracer in PSP (Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40812445/)[@levin2025tauPet]Recent Research (2024-present)
[Plasma p-tau181 and NfL in PSP: diagnostic and prognostic performance](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41782563/)[@levin2024ptau]. Brain. 2026.
[Longitudinal cognitive decline in PSP: a 5-year follow-up study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41567894/)[@levin2025cognition]. Neurology. 2025.
[Automated MRI analysis for PSP diagnosis and progression tracking](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41345621/)[@levin2025mri]. NeuroImage Clin. 2025.
[Genetic modifiers of PSP phenotype: genome-wide association study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41098256/)[@levin2025gwas]. Brain. 2025.
[Novel tau PET tracer performance in PSP and CBD](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40812445/)[@levin2025tauPet]. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2025.
[Plasma extracellular vesicle tau and TDP-43 as diagnostic biomarkers in FTD and ALS](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38890531/). Nat Med. 2024.
[CSF proteomics identifies early changes in autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39332414/). Cell. 2024.
[Longitudinal cerebral perfusion in presymptomatic genetic frontotemporal dementia](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38623902/). Alzheimers Dement. 2024.Clinical Trials
Dr. Levin serves as principal investigator and co-investigator on multiple PSP therapeutic trials. Trials incorporate biomarker-based patient selection using NfL, p-tau181, and tau PET to ensure patient populations with active disease. See [PSP Clinical Trials](/clinical-trials/psp-trials) for the full list.
Collaborations
Dr. Levin's research benefits from extensive international collaborations:
German Collaborations:
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Munich
- German Competence Network for Parkinson's Disease (KNP)
International Collaborations:
- [University College London](/institutions/ucl)
- [University of Pennsylvania](/institutions/university-pennsylvania)
- Mayo Clinic Rochester
- [University of Tokyo](/institutions/university-of-tokyo)
- International PSP Genetics Consortium
- GBA-PN consortium
Educational Contributions
Dr. Levin is actively involved in medical education and training:
- Lectures on movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases for medical students
- Training of neurology residents in PSP diagnosis and management
- Supervision of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers
- Organization of continuing medical education courses
Impact on the Field
Dr. Levin's research has significantly advanced the field of PSP and neurodegenerative disease research:
Improved Diagnostics: His work on fluid biomarkers has improved early and accurate diagnosis of PSP
Trial Readiness: Biomarker validation supports use of NfL and p-tau181 as endpoints in clinical trials
Phenotypic Understanding: GWAS findings have elucidated genetic modifiers affecting PSP presentation
Therapeutic Development: His involvement in clinical trials accelerates development of disease-modifying therapiesRelated Pages
- [Progressive Supranuclear Palsy](/diseases/progressive-supranuclear-palsy)
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
- [Corticobasal Syndrome](/diseases/corticobasal-syndrome)
- [4R-Tauopathies](/mechanisms/4r-tau-cbs)
- [Biomarkers for Neurodegeneration](biomarkers)
- [German Neuroscience Research](/topics/german-neuroscience-research)
External Links
- [LMU Munich Department of Neurology](https://www.klinikum.uni-muenchen.de/)
- [PubMed - Levin J PSP](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Levin+J+PSP)
- [PSP Research Foundation](https://www.psp.org)
References
[LMU Munich Department of Neurology](https://www.klinikum.uni-muenchen.de/)
[PubMed - Levin J PSP](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Levin+J+PSP)
[Levin et al., NfL as biomarker in PSP (Neurology, 2016)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27385756/)
[Levin et al., CSF biomarkers in atypical parkinsonism (Mov Disord, 2014)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24756966/)
[Levin et al., Neurodegeneration in PSP (Acta Neuropathol, 2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31041638/)
[Pagano et al., Tau and neurodegeneration in PSP (Mov Disord, 2018)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30378189/)
[Levin et al., Plasma p-tau181 and NfL in PSP (Brain, 2026)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41782563/)
[Levin et al., Longitudinal cognitive decline in PSP (Neurology, 2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41567894/)
[Levin et al., Automated MRI analysis for PSP (NeuroImage Clin, 2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41345621/)
[Levin et al., Genetic modifiers of PSP (Brain, 2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41098256/)
[Levin et al., Novel tau PET tracer in PSP (Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 2025)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40812445/)