Path: /researchers/lawrence-golbe
Title: Professor of Neurology
Affiliation: [Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School]([/institutions/rutgers](/institutions/rutgers)) — Department of Neurology
Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
Areas: [PSP](/diseases/progressive-supranuclear-palsy), [4R-tauopathies](/mechanisms/4r-tauopathies), [Genetic epidemiology](/topics/genetic-epidemiology), Clinical trials
Overview
Dr. Lawrence I. Golbe is a pioneering neurologist and researcher whose work has shaped the modern understanding of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Now Professor Emeritus at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Dr. Golbe's career spans decades of groundbreaking research into PSP epidemiology, genetics, and clinical therapeutics.
Background and Education
Medical School: MD from New York University School of Medicine (1979)
Neurology Residency: Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center
Fellowship: Movement Disorders, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center
Faculty Positions: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (1987-Present)
Key Contributions
Epidemiology of PSP
Dr. Golbe's early work established the foundational epidemiology of PSP:
Prevalence Estimate: First systematic population-based study estimated PSP prevalence at 1.4-6.5 per 100,000
Age Distribution: Characterized typical age of onset (mid-60s) and disease course
Natural History: Documented disease progression rates and survival prognoses
PSP International Registry
As co-founder:
...
Lawrence Golbe, MD
Path: /researchers/lawrence-golbe
Title: Professor of Neurology
Affiliation: [Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School]([/institutions/rutgers](/institutions/rutgers)) — Department of Neurology
Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
Areas: [PSP](/diseases/progressive-supranuclear-palsy), [4R-tauopathies](/mechanisms/4r-tauopathies), [Genetic epidemiology](/topics/genetic-epidemiology), Clinical trials
Overview
Dr. Lawrence I. Golbe is a pioneering neurologist and researcher whose work has shaped the modern understanding of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Now Professor Emeritus at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Dr. Golbe's career spans decades of groundbreaking research into PSP epidemiology, genetics, and clinical therapeutics.
Background and Education
Medical School: MD from New York University School of Medicine (1979)
Neurology Residency: Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center
Fellowship: Movement Disorders, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center
Faculty Positions: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (1987-Present)
Key Contributions
Epidemiology of PSP
Dr. Golbe's early work established the foundational epidemiology of PSP:
Prevalence Estimate: First systematic population-based study estimated PSP prevalence at 1.4-6.5 per 100,000
Age Distribution: Characterized typical age of onset (mid-60s) and disease course
Natural History: Documented disease progression rates and survival prognoses
PSP International Registry
As co-founder:
Registry Design: Developed standardized clinical assessment protocols
Data Collection: Built infrastructure for international data sharing
Clinical Trial Readiness: Created platform for rapid trial recruitment
Genetic Research
Dr. Golbe's genetic epidemiology work identified key risk factors:
MAPT Mutations: Characterized tau gene mutations in familial PSP
H1 Haplotype: Established H1 tau haplotype as major genetic risk factor
Genome-Wide Studies: Participated in GWAS identifying additional risk loci
Clinical Trials
Dr. Golbe has been principal investigator for numerous clinical trials:
Coenzyme Q10: Early therapeutic trials
Tau Antibodies: Various immunotherapeutic approaches
Small Molecule Inhibitors: Neuroprotective agent trials
Golbe LI, Davis PH, Schoenberg BS, et al. Prevalence and natural history of progressive supranuclear palsy. Neurology. 1988[@golbe1988]. PMID: 3173492(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3173492/)
Litvan I, Golbe LI, et al. Diagnostic accuracy in progressive supranuclear palsy. Neurology. 1996.
Multiple publications on tau gene polymorphisms and PSP risk.
Research Focus Areas
Current Research
Biomarker Development: Blood and CSF biomarkers for PSP diagnosis and progression
Clinical Trial Design: Novel outcome measures for PSP clinical trials
Genetic Risk Profiling: Polygenic risk scores for PSP
Telemedicine: Remote monitoring for clinical trials
Advocacy and Leadership
CurePSP Scientific Advisory Board: Longstanding member
Movement Disorder Society: Active participant in PSP special interest group
International PSP Genetics Consortium: Founding member
Institutional Context
Dr. Golbe works at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The movement disorders program at Rutgers has been a major PSP clinical research site, participating in multiple clinical trials and natural history studies.
The Rutgers location provides:
Access to diverse patient populations
Collaboration with industry sponsors
Integration with the broader New York metropolitan neuroscience community
Awards and Recognition
Distinguished Teacher Award, Rutgers Neurology
CurePSP Hall of Fame, for contributions to PSP research