Dr. Henrik Zetterberg is a world-renowned neurochemist and leading authority in the development of biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. He currently serves as Professor of Neurochemistry and Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, while also maintaining his role as Consultant in Clinical Chemistry at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Following the completion of his MD and PhD at the University of Gothenburg in 2003, he conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University where he utilized zebrafish as a model for Alzheimer's disease. His distinguished career has been further enhanced by prestigious appointments as Visiting Professor at University College London and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, establishing him as a pivotal figure in global neuroscience research.
Dr. Zetterberg's pioneering research has fundamentally transformed the field of fluid biomarker development for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through his innovative approaches to early detection and diagnosis. His landmark 2020 study demonstrated a highly accurate diagnostic method based on protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid, capable of identifying Alzheimer's disease pathology approximately two decades before significant clinical symptoms emerge with reported 90 percent accuracy. With an extraordinary publication record exceeding 2600 scientific articles, his work has established standardized protocols for biomarker measurement that are now internationally recognized and implemented in both clinical practice and research settings worldwide. His contributions to the field have significantly advanced our understanding of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and progression.
As an elected member of both the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, Dr. Zetterberg has played a critical role in shaping the global research agenda through his leadership of the UK Dementia Research Institute Fluid Biomarker Laboratory at University College London. His longstanding collaboration with Professor Kaj Blennow has been instrumental in advancing diagnostic standards through the Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, creating methodologies that have become the global benchmark. His current research focuses on developing accessible blood-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on plasma pTau217 as a promising indicator for early Alzheimer's detection. Dr. Zetterberg continues to push the boundaries of neurodegenerative disease diagnostics, recently receiving the prestigious 2024 Goodes Prize for his transformative contributions to the field and maintaining his position at the forefront of innovative biomarker research.
