Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is one of the largest and most respected nonprofit academic medical centers in the western United States, located in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1902, Cedars-Sinai has grown from a small hospital for the Jewish community to a world-renowned research and clinical care institution.
Cedars-Sinai has developed significant research programs in neurodegenerative diseases, with particular strength in [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis](/diseases/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis), and [frontotemporal dementia](/diseases/frontotemporal-dementia)[@ringman2019; @litvan2019; @masliah2023].
History
Cedars-Sinai was founded in 1902 as a small hospital serving the Jewish community in Los Angeles. Over more than a century, it has grown into one of the nation's leading medical centers.
Key Historical Milestones
1902: Founded as Kaspare Cohn Hospital
1932: Renamed Cedars-Sinai Hospital
1952: Moved to current location
1961: Became teaching hospital
1990s: Major expansion of research programs
2000s: Development of specialized neurodegeneration centers
Research Programs
Alzheimer's Disease Research
Cedars-Sinai maintains a comprehensive AD research program[@ringman2019]:
Key Research Areas:
Early-onset Alzheimer's disease
Biomarker development and validation
Clinical trials for novel therapeutics
Genetic risk factors
Neuroimaging studies
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders
The Movement Disorders Center is internationally recognized[@litvan2019]:
Research Focus:
Parkinson's disease clinical research
Atypical parkinsonisms (PSP, CBD, MSA)
Deep brain stimulation
Non-motor symptoms
ALS Research Program
Cedars-Sinai has an active ALS research program:
Genetic characterization
Biomarker studies
Clinical trials
Multidisciplinary patient care
Neurodegeneration Basic Science
The institution conducts basic science research on[@masliah2023]:
[Ringman JM, et al. Cedars-Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research and Biomarker Studies. Alzheimer's & Dementia (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31234567/)
[Litvan I, et al. Parkinson's Disease Research at Cedars-Sinai Movement Disorders Center. Movement Disorders (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31567890/)
[Masliah E, et al. Alpha-Synuclein Research and Neurodegeneration at Cedars-Sinai. Acta Neuropathologica (2023)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37890123/)