Elucidating the relationship between genes, brain structure, and behavior
WELCOME!

 

The Yokoyama Lab studies the genetics underlying neurodegeneration in diverse populations, with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.

Genetic research isn’t for us. It’s for our children’s children.

Dr. Jennifer Yokoyama

Associate Professor, Neurology

Utilizing novel statistical genetics approaches, we probe the relationships between genomic variation, brain structure, and cognitive/behavioral function to elucidate genetic contributions to selective vulnerability for neurodegenerative disease.

We also assess transcriptomic profiles in the periphery and brain to identify new biomarkers of disease.

Finally, we engage in collaborations with basic researchers to translate findings from clinical cohorts to in vitro and in vivo models of disease to improve our understanding of underlying disease biology. 

We believe that understanding how genetic variation affects brain structure and function, in both healthy aging and clinical populations, will be critical for developing effective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disease.