Patrik Brundin is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
Patrik Brundin is a prominent Parkinson's disease researcher and scientist. He serves as the Deputy Chief Scientific Officer at Van Andel Institute and Head of the Center for Neurodegenerative Science in Grand Rapids, Michigan[@van].
[Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling in COVID-19 positive patients reveals alterations in pathways linked to neurological dysfunction](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41761254/). Clinical epigenetics. 2026.
[Aggregation-prone alpha-synuclein proteoforms and dysregulated molecular signatures in the vermiform appendix of synucleinopathy patients](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41279937/). bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. 2025.
[Tet2 loss and enhanced ciliogenesis suppress α-synuclein pathology](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40189544/). Acta neuropathologica communications. 2025.
[Biologically defined neuronal synuclein disease as a tool to advance drug development](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39706882/). NPJ Parkinson's disease. 2024.
[Sustained effect of prasinezumab on Parkinson's disease motor progression in the open-label extension of the PASADENA trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39379705/). Nature medicine. 2024.
Research Focus
Dr. Brundin's research program focuses on:
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Introduction
Patrik Brundin is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Overview
Patrik Brundin is a prominent Parkinson's disease researcher and scientist. He serves as the Deputy Chief Scientific Officer at Van Andel Institute and Head of the Center for Neurodegenerative Science in Grand Rapids, Michigan[@van].
[Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling in COVID-19 positive patients reveals alterations in pathways linked to neurological dysfunction](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41761254/). Clinical epigenetics. 2026.
[Aggregation-prone alpha-synuclein proteoforms and dysregulated molecular signatures in the vermiform appendix of synucleinopathy patients](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41279937/). bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. 2025.
[Tet2 loss and enhanced ciliogenesis suppress α-synuclein pathology](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40189544/). Acta neuropathologica communications. 2025.
[Biologically defined neuronal synuclein disease as a tool to advance drug development](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39706882/). NPJ Parkinson's disease. 2024.
[Sustained effect of prasinezumab on Parkinson's disease motor progression in the open-label extension of the PASADENA trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39379705/). Nature medicine. 2024.
Research Focus
Dr. Brundin's research program focuses on:
Alpha-synuclein biology: Understanding the formation and spread of Lewy bodies
Cell replacement therapy: Developing stem cell-based treatments for PD
Neuroprotective strategies: Identifying compounds that can protect dopaminergic [neurons](/entities/neurons)
Prion-like propagation: Studying how misfolded proteins spread in neurodegenerative diseases
Key Discoveries
Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation: His work has been fundamental in understanding how alpha-synuclein misfolds and aggregates in Parkinson's disease[@therapeutic2020].
Cell Therapy: Pioneered approaches to transplant dopaminergic neurons derived from stem cells into patients with PD.
Prion-Loid Hypothesis: Contributed to the concept that misfolded proteins can propagate across neural circuits in neurodegenerative diseases.
Research Contributions
Alpha-Synuclein and Lewy Body Formation
Dr. Brundin's research has significantly advanced our understanding of how alpha-synuclein, a small protein normally found in presynaptic terminals, misfolds and aggregates to form Lewy bodies - the characteristic protein inclusions found in the brains of Parkinson's disease patients. His laboratory has demonstrated that these misfolded proteins can spread between neurons in a pattern that correlates with disease progression, supporting the prion-like propagation hypothesis.
Stem Cell Therapies
A major focus of Dr. Brundin's work involves developing cell replacement therapies for Parkinson's disease. His team has pioneered methods to differentiate stem cells into dopaminergic neurons that can be transplanted into patients. This approach aims to replace the dopamine-producing neurons that are lost in Parkinson's disease, potentially restoring motor function.
Neuroprotective Drug Discovery
Dr. Brundin's group has also conducted extensive screening for neuroprotective compounds that can prevent or slow the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. These efforts have identified several promising therapeutic candidates that are being developed for clinical use.
Selected Publications
[Brundin P, et al. Therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease based on alpha-synuclein. Nat Rev Neurol. 2020](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-020-0352-4)
[Brundin P, Melki R. Prying into the prion-like propagation of alpha-synuclein. Nat Med. 2017](https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.4319)
[Kalia LV, Brundin P. Alpha-synuclein and Parkinson's disease: an update. Nat Rev Neurol. 2023](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-023-00778-0)
[Brundin P, et al. Cell therapy for Parkinson's disease: past, present, and future. Nat Rev Neurol. 2022](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-022-00609-w)
[Brundin P, et al. The prion-like propagation of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. Nat Rev Neurol. 2018](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-018-0014-y)
Leadership and Collaboration
Dr. Brundin serves as Deputy Chief Scientific Officer at Van Andel Institute, where he oversees research strategy across multiple neurodegenerative disease programs. He has established collaborations with researchers worldwide to advance understanding of Parkinson's disease and develop new therapeutic approaches.
He is also involved in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), a landmark clinical study aimed at identifying biomarkers for Parkinson's disease progression.
Awards and Recognition
Recipient of the Robert A. Welch Award
Past President of the International Society for Stem Cell Research
Executive Director, Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute
Distinguished lecturer at numerous international conferences
The study of Patrik Brundin has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Research Contributions
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
References
Unknown, Van Andel Institute - Patrik Brundin (n.d.)
[Unknown, Therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease based on alpha-synuclein (2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32629147/)