Rudolph E. Tanzi
Dr. Rudolph Tanzi is the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Harvard University, and Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Tanzi has been investigating the genetics of neurological disease since the 1980s when he participated in the first study that to use genetic markers to find a disease gene (Huntington's disease). Dr. Tanzi co-discovered the three familial early-onset Alzheimer's disease (FAD) genes and several other neurological disease genes including that responsible for Wilson’s disease. As the leader of the Cure Alzheimer's Fund Alzheimer’s Genome Project, Dr. Tanzi has carried out multiple genome wide association studies of thousands of Alzheimer’s families leading to the identification of novel AD candidate genes, including CD33 and the first two rare mutations causing late-onset AD in the ADAM10 gene. His research on the role of zinc and copper in AD has led recently to successful clinical trials at Prana Biotechnology. He is also working gamma secretase modulators (together with Dr. Steve Wagner, UCSD) for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's.
Tanzi serves on dozens of editorial and scientific advisory boards, and as Chair of the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Research Consortium. He has received numerous awards, including the two highest awards for Alzheimer's disease research: The Metropolitan Life Award and The Potamkin Prize. He was included on the list of the "Harvard 100 Most Influential Alumni", and was chosen by the Geoffrey Beene Foundation as a “Rock Star of Science”. Dr. Tanzi has co-authored over 450 research articles, including three of the top ten most cited AD papers. He co-authored the New York Times Best Seller “Super Brain” with Dr. Deepak Chopra. In musical pursuits, Dr. Tanzi professionally plays keyboards, most recently with Joe Perry and Aerosmith. Tanzi also hosts the show "Super Brain" on PBS television.
Books published
- Decoding Darkness: The Search for the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease. Rudolph E. Tanzi and Ann B, Parson, Perseus Publishing, N.Y. 2000.[1]
- Super Brain: Unleashing the Explosive Power of Your Mind to Maximize Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Well-Being. Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi, Harmony Books, Random House, 2012 [2]
Key journal articles
- Rosen DR, Siddique T, Patterson D, Figlewicz DA, Sapp P, Hentati A, Donaldson D, Goto J, O'Regan JP, Deng HX, et al. "Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene are associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis."
- Usella JF, Wexler NS, Conneally PM, Naylor SL, Anderson MA, Tanzi RE, Watkins PC, Ottina K, Wallace MR, Sakaguchi AY, Young AB, Shoulson I, Bonilla E, Martin JB. "A polymorphic DNA marker genetically linked to Huntington's Disease." Nature 1983; 306: 234-238.
- Tanzi, RE, Gusella JF, Watkins PC, Bruns GAP, St. George-Hyslop PH, Van Keuren ML, Patterson D, Pagan S, Kurnit DM, Neve RL. "The amyloid beta protein gene: cDNA cloning, mRNA distribution, and genetic linkage near the Alzheimer locus." Science 1987; 235: 880-884.