Dr. Dennis W. Dickson is a distinguished neuropathologist and internationally recognized authority in the field of neurodegenerative disorders. He serves as Professor of Neuroscience at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, a position he has held since 1997, and directs the institution's Neuropathology and Microscopy Laboratory. After earning his medical degree from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine in 1982, he completed residency training in Pathology at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine followed by a neuropathology fellowship. Dr. Dickson currently holds the prestigious Robert E. Jacoby Professorship in Alzheimer's Research and directs the Udall Center of Excellence in Parkinson's Disease Research while co-directing the Dorothy and Harry T. Mangurian, Jr., Lewy Body Dementia Program.
Dr. Dickson's groundbreaking contributions have fundamentally transformed diagnostic criteria and research methodologies for neurodegenerative diseases through his leadership in major consensus guidelines. His co-authorship of the seminal 2013 National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroup recommendations on diagnosing mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease has garnered over 11,798 citations and established critical diagnostic standards adopted globally. Similarly, his 2005 DLB Consortium report on diagnosing dementia with Lewy bodies has received over 8,985 citations and revolutionized clinical approaches to this complex disorder. Over more than twenty years, he has developed one of the world's largest and most comprehensive brain banks, which serves as an indispensable resource for researchers worldwide studying Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related neurodegenerative conditions.
Beyond his direct research achievements, Dr. Dickson has significantly shaped the field through leadership roles including past presidency of the American Association of Neuropathologists, which recently honored him with its highest award for meritorious contributions to the discipline. His laboratory serves as a central hub for multiple National Institutes of Health-funded research initiatives including the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Dr. Dickson continues to advance the understanding of neuropathological mechanisms through work with diverse patient cohorts ranging from community volunteers to specialized studies like the Einstein Aging Study. His ongoing research focuses on identifying preclinical markers of Parkinson's disease and elucidating the complex pathological relationships between aging, tauopathies, and dementia, positioning him at the forefront of efforts to develop early diagnostic approaches and targeted interventions for neurodegenerative diseases.
