University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · NeuroscienceHowell Lab
Michael J Howell · Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research Focus
Dr. Michael J. Howell's research lab focuses on understanding a sleep disorder that can predict the onset of serious neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. The lab studies how certain antidepressants can uncover early signs of brain deterioration in patients with a condition called REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. Through advanced imaging techniques and skin biopsies, the team aims to identify early markers of neurodegeneration, which can help in developing therapies to slow down disease progression.
REM sleep Behavior DisorderLewy bodiesneurodegenerationserotonergic antidepressantsbrain imagingalpha-synucleinspeech deficits
Research Aims
3AIM 01Detect alpha-synuclein aggregates in skin biopsies of patients with serotonergic REM sleep Behavior Disorder.
AIM 02Examine neurodegeneration in brainstem regions using ultra-high field MRI.
AIM 03Evaluate speech deficits consistent with Lewy body disease.
Skills the Lab Values
skin biopsyultra-high field MRIneuroimaging analysisspeech analysisdata collectioncognitive testingpathology techniquesneuroscience researchclinical trial methodologies
Output against the department
Publications183top 41% of dept.274th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.1kbottom 31% of dept.463rd 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.