Günter Höglinger, MD, PhD is a German neurologist and researcher specializing in movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA). He is a Professor of Neurology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and a leading figure in the international atypical parkinsonism research community["@mds2017"][@synneurge2024].
His research spans clinical characterization, biomarker development, genetic studies, and therapeutic trials for 4R-tauopathies and other neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Höglinger has made seminal contributions to the development of modern diagnostic criteria for PSP and the identification of genetic risk factors for atypical parkinsonisms.
Background and Education
Medical Degree: MD from University of Tübingen, Germany
PhD in Neuroscience: University of Tübingen / Max Planck Institute
Neurology Residency: University of Tübingen Medical School
Movement Disorders Fellowship: Advanced training in atypical parkinsonisms
Dr. Höglinger's research program encompasses multiple interconnected areas:
Diagnostic Criteria and Classification
He has played a pivotal role in developing contemporary diagnostic criteria for PSP and related disorders[@mds2017][@advances2017]:
MDS-PSP Criteria: Led the development of the Movement Disorder Society criteria for PSP diagnosis, incorporating new clinical variants and biomarker data
SynNeurGe Classification: Contributed to the biological classification system for Parkinson's disease integrating α-synuclein, tau, and β-amyloid pathology[@synneurge2024]
Subtype Stratification: Refined classification of PSP phenotypes including Richardson's syndrome, PSP-parkinsonism, and corticalic PSP
Genetic Determinants of PSP
His genetic research has identified novel risk factors for PSP[@genetics2021][@geneticsreview]:
Genome-Wide Association Studies: Led meta-analyses identifying common genetic variants influencing PSP susceptibility
MAPT Mutations: Characterized the role of tau gene (MAPT) haplotypes in disease risk
Multi-ethnic Studies: Expanded genetic understanding to include non-European populations
Biomarker Development
Dr. Höglinger has advanced biomarker research for atypical parkinsonisms[@tau2020][@mri2024][@biomarkers PSP]:
Neuroimaging Biomarkers: Validated MRI-based measures for tracking atrophy progression in clinical trials
Fluid Biomarkers: Investigated neurofilament light chain (NfL) and tau species as progression markers
Tau PET: Evaluated tau PET imaging for differential diagnosis and disease staging
Clinical Trials
He has been instrumental in therapeutic development for PSP[@gosuranemab2021][@clinicaltrials]:
Anti-Tau Therapies: Led Phase 2 trials of gosuranemab, an anti-tau monoclonal antibody
Outcome Measures: Developed and validated clinical endpoints for PSP trials
Trial Design: Optimized trial methodology for neurodegenerative disease modifiers
Key Publications
Diagnostic Criteria
Clinical diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy: The MDS criteria (2017) — Led the development of comprehensive diagnostic criteria incorporating clinical features, imaging biomarkers, and genetic data, establishing the modern standard for PSP diagnosis[@mds2017].
Advances in progressive supranuclear palsy (2017) — Comprehensive review of diagnostic advances, biomarkers, and therapeutic approaches[@advances2017].
The Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of Atypical Parkinsonism (2016) — Systematic approach to distinguishing between PSP, CBD, MSA, and PD[@differential2016].
Genetic Studies
Genetic determinants of survival in progressive supranuclear palsy (2021) — GWAS identifying genetic variants affecting disease progression and survival in PSP[@genetics2021].
Genetics of PSP: beyond MAPT (2021) — Review of emerging genetic risk factors beyond the tau gene[@geneticsreview].
Biomarker Research
Distribution patterns of tau pathology in progressive supranuclear palsy (2020) — Neuropathological study correlating tau distribution with clinical phenotypes[@tau2020].
MRI measures to track atrophy progression in PSP (2024) — Validation of neuroimaging endpoints for clinical trials[@mri2024].
Brain atrophy does not predict clinical progression in PSP (2025) — Investigation of the disconnect between imaging and clinical measures[@atrophy2025].
Therapeutic Trials
Gosuranemab in PSP: Phase 2 trial (2021) — Clinical trial evaluating anti-tau antibody therapy safety and efficacy[@gosuranemab2021].
Clinical trials in PSP: lessons learned (2022) — Analysis of trial failures and successes to inform future drug development[@clinicaltrials].
Institutional Affiliations
| Institution | Role | Years | |-------------|------|-------| | Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Professor of Neurology | 2018-Present | | German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) | Principal Investigator | 2015-Present | | Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) | Faculty Member | 2019-Present |
International Collaborations
Dr. Höglinger maintains extensive international collaborations:
International PSP Study Group: Leadership role in multi-center research consortia
Movement Disorder Society: Active participation in criterion development and guideline formation
European Consortium on Neurodegeneration: Collaborative biomarker and therapeutic initiatives
Teaching and Mentorship
His educational contributions include:
Lectures on movement disorders at TUM Medical School
Training program for clinical fellows in neurodegenerative disease research
Organization of annual workshops on PSP diagnosis and management
Future Research Directions
Current research initiatives include:
Identification of novel genetic risk factors through whole-exome sequencing
Development of composite biomarkers integrating imaging and fluid measures
Design of next-generation clinical trials with adaptive methodologies
Investigation of neuroinflammation as therapeutic target