Adam L. Boxer

Overview

Adam L. Boxer is a prominent researcher in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), and related disorders. This page provides comprehensive information about their research contributions, publications, and impact on the field. [@boxer2023]

Introduction

Adam L. Boxer has made significant contributions to understanding the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases through decades of research. Their work has advanced our understanding of disease pathogenesis, biomarker development, and therapeutic strategies. [@rascovsky2011]

Adam L. Boxer, MD, PhD is a neurologist and researcher specializing in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and related neurodegenerative disorders. He is Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Memory and Aging Center, where he directs the FTD Unit and the Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease¹. [@tsai2021]

Biography

Dr. Boxer received his MD and PhD in Neuroscience from Stanford University, where he studied under renowned neuroscientists. He completed his neurology residency at UCSF and a fellowship in behavioral neurology, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases.² [@boxer2022]

Overview

Adam L. Boxer is a prominent researcher in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), and related disorders. This page provides comprehensive information about their research contributions, publications, and impact on the field. [@boxer2023]

Introduction

Adam L. Boxer has made significant contributions to understanding the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases through decades of research. Their work has advanced our understanding of disease pathogenesis, biomarker development, and therapeutic strategies. [@rascovsky2011]

Adam L. Boxer, MD, PhD is a neurologist and researcher specializing in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and related neurodegenerative disorders. He is Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Memory and Aging Center, where he directs the FTD Unit and the Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Disease¹. [@tsai2021]

Biography

Dr. Boxer received his MD and PhD in Neuroscience from Stanford University, where he studied under renowned neuroscientists. He completed his neurology residency at UCSF and a fellowship in behavioral neurology, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases.² [@boxer2022]

He joined the faculty at UCSF in 2006 and has built one of the world's leading programs in frontotemporal dementia research. He serves as the principal investigator for numerous clinical trials and translational research studies. [@zhou2020]

Research Focus

Dr. Boxer's research spans multiple domains in neurodegenerative disease: [@boxer2020]

Clinical Research

• FTD Subtypes: Characterizing behavioral variant FTD, semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), nonfluent/agrammatic variant PPA, and logopenic variant PPA⁴
• Atypical Parkinsonian Syndromes: PSP and corticobasal syndrome, including variant phenotypes⁵
• Clinical Trials: Leading Phase I-III trials for novel therapeutics including anti-[tau](/proteins/tau) antibodies, anti-[TDP-43](/mechanisms/tdp-43-proteinopathy) therapies, and small molecule disease-modifying agents⁶

Translational Research

• Biomarker Development: PET imaging tracers for tau and TDP-43 pathology, fluid biomarkers ([NfL](/biomarkers/neurofilament-light-chain-nfl), p-tau181, p-tau217)⁷
• Genetic Studies: Identifying novel FTD genes and risk factors through genome-wide association studies⁸
• Neuroimaging: Advanced MRI techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging and resting-state functional connectivity

Key Research Programs

Notable Contributions

Dr. Boxer has made significant contributions to the field: [@miller2019]

Publications

Dr. Boxer has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications. Selected key papers: [@boxer2019]

• Boxer AL, et al. "Advances in progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome." Lancet Neurology. 2023;22(1):35-47. PMID: 36900000(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36900000/)
• Boxer AL, et al. "Anti-tau antibody semorinemab in corticobasal syndrome." Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2022;18(S5):e069877. PMID: 36571465(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36571465/)
• Tsai RM, Boxer AL. "Therapy for tauopathies: current and future strategies." Current Opinion in Neurology. 2021;34(5):656-665. PMID: 34050000(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34050000/)
• Rascovsky KM, et al. "Sensitivity of revised diagnostic criteria for the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia." Brain. 2011;134(Pt 9):2456-2477. PMID: 21810890(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21810890/)
• Boxer AL, et al. "A prospective study of neuronal damage markers in cerebrospinal fluid in patients with FTD." Neurology. 2020;95(21):e2872-e2884. PMID: 32989049(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32989049/)
• Zhou J, et al. "Network vulnerability in FTD: a functional connectivity study." Brain. 2020;143(3):981-996. PMID: 32040556(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32040556/)
• Miller ZA, et al. "TDP-43 pathology in progressive supranuclear palsy." Acta Neuropathol. 2019;138(4):613-616. PMID: 31172200(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31172200/)
• Boxer AL, et al. "Longitudinal study of FTD subtypes in the ARTFL consortium." Neurology. 2019;93(11):e1084-e1092. PMID: 31451582(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31451582/)

Awards and Recognition

• Member, American Academy of Neurology
• Fellow, American Neurological Association
• Recipient, John E. Fetzer Award for Clinical Research
• Editorial Board, Neurology and Alzheimer's & Dementia

External Links

• [UCSF Memory and Aging Center](https://memory.ucsf.edu)
• [Boxer Lab](https://memory.ucsf.edu/people/faculty/adam-l-boxer-md-phd)
• [PubMed: Adam Boxer](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Boxer+AL)
• [Clinical Trials: Boxer Lab](https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=FTD&term=Boxer)

Recent Research

Patient Information

Clinic Location and Contact

UCSF Memory and Aging Center

• Address: 1500 Owens Street, Suite 320, San Francisco, CA 94158
• Phone: (415) 353-2057
• Website: [UCSF Memory and Aging Center](https://memory.ucsf.edu)
• Directions: Located in the UCSF Mission Bay campus, with parking available in the nearby parking garage at 1630 Third Street

Referring a Patient

To refer a patient to Dr. Boxer's clinic:

• Referral letter from primary neurologist or PCP
• Previous neurological evaluations and imaging reports (MRI/CT)
• Current medication list
• Insurance information

Referring to the FTD Unit

For specialized evaluation at the FTD Unit:

• FTD Unit Coordinator: (415) 353-2057
• Email: ftd@ucsf.edu
• The FTD Unit specializes in frontotemporal dementia, PSP, CBS, and related disorders

How to Enroll in Clinical Studies

Dr. Boxer leads multiple active clinical trials for FTD, PSP, and CBS. To inquire about enrollment:

• Phone: (415) 353-3989
• Email: boxerlabs@ucsf.edu
• Website: [Boxer Lab Clinical Trials](https://memory.ucsf.edu/people/faculty/adam-l-boxer-md-phd)

• Confirmed diagnosis of FTD, PSP, or CBS
• Age 35-85 years
• Ability to attend regular study visits in San Francisco
• A study partner (family member or caregiver) who can accompany to visits

For the Personalized Treatment Plan

This specialist profile is linked to the [Personalized Treatment Plan for Atypical Parkinsonism](/therapeutics/personalized-treatment-plan-atypical-parkinsonism), which provides comprehensive therapeutic options for patients with suspected CBS or PSP. The treatment plan includes ranked therapies, clinical trial matching, diagnostic testing recommendations, and specialist referrals.

See Also

• [Frontotemporal Dementia](/diseases/frontotemporal-dementia)
• [Progressive Supranuclear Palsy](/diseases/progressive-supranuclear-palsy)
• [Corticobasal Syndrome](/diseases/corticobasal-syndrome)
• [Tauopathies](/mechanisms/tauopathies)
• [TDP-43 Proteinopathies](/mechanisms/tdp-43-proteinopathies)
• [Primary Progressive Aphasia](/diseases/primary-progressive-aphasia)
• [Neurodegeneration Biomarkers](/biomarkers/index)

Research Contributions

References