Dr. Anthony Lang is a preeminent neurologist and globally recognized authority in the field of movement disorders with particular expertise in Parkinson's disease. He currently holds the Jack Clark Chair for Parkinson's Disease Research at the University of Toronto and the Lily Safra Chair in Movement Disorders at the University Health Network, directing the Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital. After completing his medical and neurology training at the University of Toronto, he pursued a clinical research fellowship with Professor C.D. Marsden at King's College Hospital and the Institute of Psychiatry in London, England. In 1982, he returned to Toronto where he established what has evolved into Canada's largest movement disorders program, now internationally acclaimed as one of the world's leading centers for Parkinson's research and clinical care.
Dr. Lang has authored over 800 peer-reviewed publications that have significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders, establishing him as one of the most highly cited investigators in the field. His research program encompasses clinical trials of novel therapeutic approaches, investigations into disease etiology and pathogenesis, and efforts to redefine Parkinson's disease to acknowledge its prolonged prodromal period through participation in International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society initiatives. He has made substantial contributions to the study of 4-repeat tauopathies including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration, addressing critical gaps in understanding these complex neurodegenerative conditions. His collaborative research extends across multiple disciplines including neuropharmacology, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, and imaging to develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
As a founding member of both the Parkinson Study Group and the International Movement Disorder Society, Dr. Lang has profoundly shaped the global research agenda in movement disorders for over four decades. His exceptional contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious honors including appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2010, election as Fellow to both the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada in 2011, and the Weston Brain Institute International Outstanding Achievement Award in 2018. Currently serving as co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal Movement Disorders, he continues to lead one of the world's most comprehensive clinical research programs focused on Parkinson's disease. His ongoing work emphasizes refining diagnostic biomarkers, developing disease-modifying therapies, and advancing the understanding of prodromal Parkinson's disease, ensuring his continued leadership at the forefront of movement disorders research worldwide.
