Adam L. Boxer is a prominent researcher in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders. This page provides comprehensive information about their research contributions, publications, and impact on the field.
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.
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.
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
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.
Dr. Boxer's research spans multiple domains in neurodegenerative disease:
- 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 antibodies, anti-TDP-43 therapies, and small molecule disease-modifying agents6
- Biomarker Development: PET imaging tracers for tau and TDP-43 pathology, fluid biomarkers (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
- FTD Clinical Trials Program: Multiple ongoing trials for bvFTD, PSP, and CBS
- ARTFL/LEFFTDS Consortium: Longitudinal study of FTD spectrum disorders
- UCSF FTD Biofluid Biomarker Program: Developing blood-based diagnostics
Dr. Boxer has made significant contributions to the field:
- Clinical Trial Leadership: Served as principal investigator for the davunetide, aricept, and anti-tau antibody trials in PSP/FTD6
- Diagnostic Criteria: Contributed to revised diagnostic criteria for behavioral variant FTD4
- Biomarker Validation: Led validation studies for fluid and imaging biomarkers in FTD spectrum7
- Genetic Discovery: Participated in identification of novel FTD risk genes8
Dr. Boxer has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications. Selected key papers:
- Boxer AL, et al. "Advances in progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome." Lancet Neurology. 2023;22(1):35-47. PMID: 36900000
- Boxer AL, et al. "Anti-tau antibody semorinemab in corticobasal syndrome." Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2022;18(S5):e069877. PMID: 36571465
- Tsai RM, Boxer AL. "Therapy for tauopathies: current and future strategies." Current Opinion in Neurology. 2021;34(5):656-665. PMID: 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
- 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
- Zhou J, et al. "Network vulnerability in FTD: a functional connectivity study." Brain. 2020;143(3):981-996. PMID: 32040556
- Miller ZA, et al. "TDP-43 pathology in progressive supranuclear palsy." Acta Neuropathol. 2019;138(4):613-616. PMID: 31172200
- Boxer AL, et al. "Longitudinal study of FTD subtypes in the ARTFL consortium." Neurology. 2019;93(11):e1084-e1092. PMID: 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
Recent PubMed-indexed publications (2024-present):
- Remote Cognitive Testing for Detection of Baseline Cognitive Impairment and Prediction of Postoperative Delirium Risk: A Pilot Study. Anesthesia and analgesia. 2025.
- Concurrent Changes in Plasma Phosphorylated Tau 217, Tau PET, and Cognition in Preclinical Alzheimer Disease. JAMA neurology. 2025.
- Multi-ancestry genome-wide meta-analysis of 56,241 individuals identifies known and novel cross-population and ancestry-specific associations as novel risk loci for Alzheimer's disease. Genome biology. 2025.
- Language impairment is associated with faster progression in progressive supranuclear palsy-Richardson syndrome. Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. 2025.
- Challenges and opportunities for novel combination therapies in Alzheimer's disease: a report from the EU/US CTAD Task Force. The journal of prevention of Alzheimer's disease. 2025.
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
- Directions: Located in the UCSF Mission Bay campus, with parking available in the nearby parking garage at 1630 Third Street
To refer a patient to Dr. Boxer's clinic:
- Contact the referral office: Call (415) 353-2057 or fax referral materials to (415) 353-8290
- Required documentation:
- Referral letter from primary neurologist or PCP
- Previous neurological evaluations and imaging reports (MRI/CT)
- Current medication list
- Insurance information
- Insurance: UCSF accepts most major insurance plans. Pre-authorization may be required for new patient visits.
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
Dr. Boxer leads multiple active clinical trials for FTD, PSP, and CBS. To inquire about enrollment:
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Contact the Boxer Lab Clinical Trials Office:
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Current Active Trials: Check ClinicalTrials.gov for current recruiting studies
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Eligibility: Most trials require:
- 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
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What to expect: Compensation for travel and time may be available. All study-related evaluations and investigational treatments are provided at no cost.
This specialist profile is linked to the Personalized Treatment Plan for 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.
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