The Center for Neurodegenerative Disease (CND) was initiated under the direction of the Department of Neurology in 2002 with $3 million foundation grant, 18,000 square feet in the Whitehead Biomedical Research building, and an annual operating budget from the School of Medicine. It is comprised of faculty with diverse backgrounds in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Neurology, Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Research at this Center cuts across traditional academic departments and scientific disciplines to focus on mechanisms of neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, and brain repair.

Laboratory

CND faculty collaborate across 40 laboratories to integrate fundamental, translational, and clinical research findings that have enhanced scientists’ understanding of devasting neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD), ALS, frontal temporal dementia (FTD), and other related disorders. CND’s research laboratories and core facilities are equipped with the most advanced technologies in imaging, proteomics, gene expression analysis, viral vectors and gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and histopathology.

Office

The Center has nearly 5,000 square feet of space in the new Health Sciences Research Building (HSRBII), where Dr. Golde, the director, and central offices and labs are located. In addition to administrative offices in HSRB II, the Center has administrative offices in the Whitehead Biomedical Research Building, in the laboratories of more than 40 neuroscience faculty across Emory University campus, and in Executive Park.

Other

Beyond the research, CND maintains a strong partnership with Emory Healthcare, which has a large and outstanding clinical faculty providing comprehensive care, education, and support for affected individuals and their families. As part of its educational mission, the CND serves as a hub for training the next generation of physicians and scientists in this dynamic environment. Its trainees include diverse undergraduate, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty.