Skip to main content

Richard J O'Brien

Disque D. Deane University Distinguished Professor of Neurology
Neurology
DUMC Box 27900, Durham, NC 27710
227 Bryan Research Building, Durham, NC 27710

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?

View All News

Recent Publications


Biomarkers.

Journal Article Alzheimers Dement · December 2025 BACKGROUND: Psychosocial factors, including mood function and residential status (urban vs. rural), have been suggested to affect the risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Few studies, however, have attempted to examine the associations ... Full text Link to item Cite

Biomarkers.

Journal Article Alzheimers Dement · December 2025 BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) have gained widespread usage in clinical diagnosis and treatment, but their utility among middle-aged individuals has yet to be fully elucidated. We exami ... Full text Link to item Cite

Biomarkers.

Journal Article Alzheimers Dement · December 2025 BACKGROUND: Worse sensory and physical function measures associate with higher risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). To our knowledge, no studies have reported relationships between sensory and physical function, ADRD cerebrospinal flui ... Full text Link to item Cite
View All Publications

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 - 2026

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

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


Harvard Medical School · 1985 MD./PhD.