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Richard J O'Brien

Disque D. Deane University Distinguished Professor of Neurology
Neurology

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Disque D. Deane University Distinguished Professor of Neurology · 2015 - Present Neurology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Neurology · 2014 - Present Neurology, Clinical Science Departments
Chair, Department of Neurology · 2014 - Present Neurology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Neurobiology · 2014 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Neurosurgery · 2024 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery

In the News


Published September 12, 2021
Duke/UNC Awarded Grant to Establish Joint Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Published December 6, 2019
Why Can't I Remember What I Ate for Lunch?

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Recent Publications


Racial Disparities in Low-Value Care in the Last Year of Life for Medicare Beneficiaries With Neurodegenerative Disease.

Journal Article Neurol Clin Pract · April 2024 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are racial disparities in health care services received by patients with neurodegenerative diseases, but little is known about disparities in the last year of life, specifically in high-value and low-value care utilization. ... Full text Link to item Cite

Racial/ethnic disparities in dementia incidence, outcomes, and health-care utilization.

Journal Article Alzheimers Dement · June 2023 INTRODUCTION: Racial/ethnic disparities exist in many aspects of health care, but data on racial/ethnic disparities for neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as dementia and Parkinson's disease (PD), are limited. METHODS: We used North and South Carolina ... Full text Link to item Cite

Identifying vulnerable brain networks associated with Alzheimer's disease risk.

Journal Article Cereb Cortex · April 25, 2023 The selective vulnerability of brain networks in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) may help differentiate pathological from normal aging at asymptomatic stages, allowing the implementation of more effective interventions. We used a sample of ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Common mechanistic biomarkers of vascular and neuro-degeneration

ResearchCollaborating Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2023 - 2027

Duke Creating ADRD Researchers for the Next Generation - Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Program (CARiNG-StARR)"

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025

NINDS Research Education Programs for Residents and Fellows in Neurosurgery

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2009 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


Harvard Medical School · 1985 MD./PhD.