Dr. David Knopman is a distinguished clinical neurologist renowned for his expertise in late-life cognitive disorders at the Mayo Clinic. He currently serves as Professor of Neurology in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, a position he has held since joining the institution in 2000. A graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School (1975), Dr. Knopman completed his neurology residency at the same institution followed by a specialized fellowship in aphasia and behavioral neurology at Hennepin County Medical Center. His career has been defined by a steadfast commitment to clinical neuroscience, with decades of experience in diagnosing and studying cognitive impairment across various neurological conditions.
Dr. Knopman's research has profoundly advanced understanding of the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment due to cerebrovascular disease, and frontotemporal degeneration. His work spans epidemiology, clinical trials, and diagnostic studies, with particular emphasis on improving diagnostic accuracy for neurodegenerative conditions. As Associate Director of the Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, he has contributed to developing the ATN system for Alzheimer's disease biomarker classification using amyloid PET, tau PET, and neurodegeneration on MRI. His research has been instrumental in establishing clinical criteria for early detection of cognitive disorders, enabling more timely interventions and better patient outcomes.
Beyond his clinical and research contributions, Dr. Knopman has shaped the field through influential leadership roles, including serving as chair of the Alzheimer's Association Medical and Scientific Advisory Group and former chair of the Medical Advisory Council of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. His editorial service as deputy editor of Neurology (2009-2016) and current role as Scientific Integrity Officer for the journal have further cemented his impact on neuroscience scholarship. Recognized with the prestigious Khachaturian Award from the Alzheimer's Association in 2019, Dr. Knopman continues to guide research priorities in cognitive disorders while mentoring the next generation of neurologists. His ongoing work focuses on refining diagnostic frameworks and advancing clinical trials to develop more effective treatments for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
