| Logo placeholder |
| Location |
Atlanta, GA, USA |
| Type |
Private Research University |
| Website |
emory.edu |
| Focus Areas |
Alzheimer's, Proteomics, neuroinflammation, Health Disparities |
| Key Centers |
Goizueta ADRC, Goizueta Brain Health Institute, ECND |
Emory University is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Emory University is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia, and a nationally recognised leader in Alzheimer's Disease and neurodegenerative disease research. The university's neurodegeneration research is anchored by the Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (GADRC), the Goizueta Brain Health Institute, and the Emory Center for Neurodegenerative Disease (ECND). In July 2025, the GADRC received a $21.9 million, five-year renewal of its NIA P30 grant, affirming its position as one of the premier Alzheimer's research centres in the United States.
Emory is particularly notable for its integrated approach combining basic neuroscience, translational research, clinical trials, proteomics/biomarker development, and community engagement — with a specific focus on serving diverse populations in the southeastern United States.
¶ Research Centres and Programmes
Originally designated as an NIH Alzheimer's Disease Research Center in 2005, the GADRC has grown into a nationally recognised hub for translational research and outreach. The center's research programmes focus on:
- [amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta--TEMP--/entities)--FIX-- biology: Breakthrough research in 2024 led by Todd Golde and Yona Levites revealed how [amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta--TEMP--/entities)--FIX-- deposits serve as scaffolds for accumulation of other pathological proteins, supporting a new understanding of [Alzheimer's disease[/diseases/[alzheimers[/diseases/[alzheimers[/diseases/[alzheimers--TEMP--/diseases)--FIX-- mechanisms
- Proteomics and biomarker discovery: The GADRC participated in the Global Network of Proteomics Cohorts (GNPC) data challenge, contributing to large-scale proteomic analyses to identify novel [biomarkers] for Alzheimer's Disease
- neuroinflammation: Research led by Thota Ganesh on brain inflammation and its contribution to cognitive decline, exploring the role of [microglia[/cell-types/[microglia[/cell-types/[microglia[/cell-types/[microglia--TEMP--/cell-types)--FIX--
Directed by Todd Golde, the ECND focuses on molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration across multiple diseases including [Alzheimer's disease[/diseases/[alzheimers[/diseases/[alzheimers[/diseases/[alzheimers--TEMP--/diseases)--FIX--, [Parkinson's disease[/diseases/[parkinsons[/diseases/[parkinsons[/diseases/[parkinsons--TEMP--/diseases)--FIX--, [ALS[/diseases/[als[/diseases/[als[/diseases/[als--TEMP--/diseases)--FIX--, and [FTD[/diseases/[ftd[/diseases/[ftd[/diseases/[ftd--TEMP--/diseases)--FIX--.
The Brain Health Institute integrates clinical care, research, and education under one umbrella, facilitating rapid translation of research discoveries into clinical practice.
- 2024 Breakthrough: Discovery that [amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta--TEMP--/entities)--FIX-- deposits act as scaffolds for accumulation of other proteins, providing new therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's Disease
- Proteomic biomarker discovery: Large-scale identification of blood-based and CSF biomarkers through participation in international proteomics consortia
- Clinical trials: Active clinical trial programme testing novel therapeutics for Alzheimer's and related dementias
- Community-based research: Pioneering approaches to engage underrepresented populations in Alzheimer's research, addressing health disparities in neurodegeneration
- Todd E. Golde: Director of the ECND and GADRC leadership; pioneer in [amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta--TEMP--/entities)--FIX-- biology and anti-amyloid therapeutics
- Yona Levites: Co-investigator on [amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta[/entities/[amyloid-beta--TEMP--/entities)--FIX-- scaffold research
- Thota Ganesh: neuroinflammation and drug development
For individual researcher profiles, see the [Researchers Index[/[researchers[/[researchers[/[researchers[/[researchers[/researchers.
- [Johnson ECB, et al. "Large-scale proteomic analysis of Alzheimer's Disease brain and cerebrospinal fluid reveals early changes in energy metabolism." Nat Med. 2020;26(5):769-780. PubMed)
- [Wingo AP, et al. "Large-scale proteomic analysis of human brain identifies proteins associated with cognitive trajectory." Nat Commun. 2019;10:1619. PubMed)
- [Institutions Index[/[institutions[/[institutions[/[institutions[/[institutions[/institutions
- [Researchers Index[/[researchers[/[researchers[/[researchers[/[researchers[/researchers
- [Neurodegenerative Diseases[/[diseases[/[diseases[/[diseases[/[diseases[/diseases
The study of Emory University 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.
- [Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Emory University. [Website)]https://goizuetabrainhealth.emory.edu/)
- Emory receives $21.9 million grant to advance Alzheimer's Disease research. Emory News Center, 2025. [News)(https://news.emory.edu/stories/2025/07/hs_alzheimers_research_grant_29-07-2025/
- [In breakthrough Alzheimer's discovery, research team finds new targets and biomarkers. Emory News Center, 2024. [News)]https://news.emory.edu/stories/2024/08/hs_alzheimers_12_08_2024/)
- Goizueta ADRC Featured in Global GNPC Proteomics Data Challenge. Emory University. [News)(https://goizuetabrainhealth.emory.edu/news/goizueta-alzheimers-disease-research-center-featured.html
- National Institute on Aging Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers. [NIA)]https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/adc
- Johnson ECB, et al. Large-scale proteomic analysis of Alzheimer's Disease brain and cerebrospinal fluid reveals early changes in energy metabolism. Nat Med. 2020;26(5]:769-780. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32284590/
- Wingo AP, et al. Large-scale proteomic analysis of human brain identifies proteins associated with cognitive trajectory. Nat Commun. 2019;10:1619. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30962425/
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- [Institutions Index/institutions)
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- [Researchers and Institutions Index[/[researchers[/[researchers[/[researchers[/[researchers[/researchers