Northwestern University · NeuroscienceMarek-Marsel Neurodegeneration Lab
Marek-Marsel M Mesulam · Evanston, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Marek-Marsel Mesulam's lab focuses on understanding Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a type of dementia that primarily affects language abilities while preserving memory. The lab studies the distinct patterns of brain degeneration in PPA, particularly in the left hemisphere, and aims to link these patterns to the underlying diseases such as Alzheimer's and frontotemporal degeneration. By examining biological samples from patients, the lab is exploring how to personalize treatment options based on individual differences in brain structure and function.
Primary Progressive AphasianeurodegenerationAlzheimer's diseasefrontotemporal degenerationpersonalized medicinemolecular profilingcognitive evaluationmultimodal imaging
Research Aims
4AIM 01Characterize neuropathology-specific fingerprints of asymmetry through advanced imaging techniques.
AIM 02Identify correlates of neurosynaptic disruption and inflammation in different brain hemispheres.
AIM 03Explore genetic factors that contribute to selective vulnerability in the left hemisphere.
AIM 04Investigate mechanisms mediating memory resilience in relation to neurodegenerative diseases.
Skills the Lab Values
multimodal imaginggenetic analysisbiofluid collectionbrain tissue analysisMRI techniquesdata managementcohort study methodologygraph theory approaches
Output against the department
Publications257top 28% of dept.186th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations40ktop 8% of dept.57th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.