Daniel Geschwind

Last updated
Daniel H. Geschwind
Alma mater Dartmouth College, Yale School of Medicine
Awards
Scientific career
Fields Human genetics, neurogenetics
Institutions University of California, Los Angeles
Doctoral advisor Susan Hockfield

Daniel H. Geschwind is the Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics, Neurology and Psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He also directs the UCLA Neurogenetics Program and the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART), [2] and holds the Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Chair of Human Genetics there. [3] Since March 1, 2016, he has served as the Senior Associate Dean and Associate Vice Chancellor for Precision Medicine at UCLA. [4] His brother, Michael Geschwind, is also a professor of neurology, and behavioral neurology pioneer Norman Geschwind is his father's first cousin. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Education and career

Geschwind received his A.B. degrees in psychology and chemistry at Dartmouth College, and his MD/PhD at Yale School of Medicine under the supervision of Susan Hockfield. [3] He then completed an internship at UCLA, [2] and has been a member of the UCLA faculty since 1997. [3] Geschwind has served on several scientific advisory boards and review committees, including the Faculty of 1000 Medicine, the Executive Committee of the American Neurological Association, the Scientific Advisory Board for the Allen Institute for Brain Science, the NIMH Advisory Council and the NIH Council of Councils, and served as the first chair of Cure Autism Now's scientific review committee. [7] [8] Geschwind has been elected as member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Association of American Physicians. [8] As of 2016, Geschwind was the 25th highest-paid employee of the University of California system. [9]

Research

The Geschwind Lab at the UCLA David Geffin School of Medicine conducts research into three areas: autism and language, human cognitive specializations, and neurodegenerative syndromes. [3] [10] He has published research examining the numerous genes involved in language, such as FOXP2, and how they differ between humans and chimpanzees. [11] [12]

In 2011, Geschwind was senior author on a study which found that there are chemical differences between the brains of people with autism and the brains of people without it. [13] Specifically, Geschwind et al. found that there were common patterns in the gene expression in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brains of the autistic people they studied. [14] He is also known for his research into the factors affecting handedness in humans, and the differences in brain structure between left-handed and right-handed people. [15] [16]

Awards and prizes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FOXP2</span> Transcription factor gene of the forkhead box family

Forkhead box protein P2 (FOXP2) is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the FOXP2 gene. FOXP2 is a member of the forkhead box family of transcription factors, proteins that regulate gene expression by binding to DNA. It is expressed in the brain, heart, lungs and digestive system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heritability of autism</span>

The heritability of autism is the proportion of differences in expression of autism that can be explained by genetic variation; if the heritability of a condition is high, then the condition is considered to be primarily genetic. Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations with major effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Causes of autism</span> Proposed causes of autism

Many causes of autism have been proposed, but understanding of the theory of causation of autism and the other autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is incomplete. Attempts have been made to incorporate the known genetic and environmental causes into a comprehensive causative framework. ASD is a complex developmental condition marked by persistent challenges to social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors and its phenotypes vary significantly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manuel Casanova</span> American professor

Manuel F. Casanova is the SmartState Endowed Chair in Childhood Neurotherapeutics and a professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. He is a former Gottfried and Gisela Kolb Endowed Chair in Outpatient Psychiatry and a Professor of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology at the University of Louisville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FOXP1</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Forkhead box protein P1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FOXP1 gene. FOXP1 is necessary for the proper development of the brain, heart, and lung in mammals. It is a member of the large FOX family of transcription factors.

Genes, Brain and Behavior is a peer-reviewed online-only scientific journal covering research in the fields of behavioral, neural, and psychiatric genetics. It is published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society. The journal was established in 2002 as a quarterly and is currently published monthly. G2B is a hybrid open access journal, but two years after publication all content is available for free online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EN2 (gene)</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Homeobox protein engrailed-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EN2 gene. It is a member of the engrailed gene family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neurogenomics</span>

Neurogenomics is the study of how the genome of an organism influences the development and function of its nervous system. This field intends to unite functional genomics and neurobiology in order to understand the nervous system as a whole from a genomic perspective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autism spectrum</span> Medical condition

The autism spectrum is a range of neurodevelopmental conditions generally characterized by difficulties in social interactions and communication, repetitive behaviors, intense interests, and unusual responses to sensory stimuli. It is commonly referred to as autism or, in the context of a professional diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the latter term remains controversial among neurodiversity advocates, neurodiversity researchers, and many autistic people due to the use of the word disorder and due to questions about its utility outside of diagnostic contexts.

Geraldine Dawson is an American child clinical psychologist, specializing in autism. She has conducted research on early detection, brain development, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and collaborated on studies of genetic risk factors in autism. Dawson is William Cleland Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and professor of psychology and neuroscience, former director, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences and director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development at Duke University Medical Center. Dawson was president of the International Society for Autism Research, a scientific and professional organization devoted to advancing knowledge about autism spectrum disorders. From 2008 to 2013, Dawson was research professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was chief science officer for Autism Speaks. Dawson also held the position of adjunct professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and is professor emerita of psychology at University of Washington. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Society, American Psychological Association, International Society for Autism Research, and the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.

Cognitive genomics is the sub-field of genomics pertaining to cognitive function in which the genes and non-coding sequences of an organism's genome related to the health and activity of the brain are studied. By applying comparative genomics, the genomes of multiple species are compared in order to identify genetic and phenotypical differences between species. Observed phenotypical characteristics related to the neurological function include behavior, personality, neuroanatomy, and neuropathology. The theory behind cognitive genomics is based on elements of genetics, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, cognitive psychology, behavioral psychology, and neurophysiology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Developmental verbal dyspraxia</span> Medical condition

Developmental verbal dyspraxia (DVD), also known as childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and developmental apraxia of speech (DAS), is a condition in which children have problems saying sounds, syllables and words. This is not because of muscle weakness or paralysis. The brain has problems planning to move the body parts needed for speech. The child knows what they want to say, but their brain has difficulty coordinating the muscle movements necessary to say those words.

The development of an animal model of autism is one approach researchers use to study potential causes of autism. Given the complexity of autism and its etiology, researchers often focus only on single features of autism when using animal models.

Paul Thompson is a professor of neurology at the Imaging Genetics Center (IGC) at the University of Southern California. Thompson obtained a bachelor's degree in Greek and Latin languages and mathematics from Oxford University. He also earned a master's degree in mathematics from Oxford and a PhD degree in neuroscience from University of California, Los Angeles.

Males are more frequently diagnosed with autism than females. It is debated whether this is due to a sex difference in rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or whether females are underdiagnosed. The prevalence ratio is often cited as about 4 males for every 1 female diagnosed. Other research indicates that it closer to 3:1 or 2:1. One in every 42 males and one in 189 females in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. There is some evidence that females may also receive diagnoses somewhat later than males; however, thus far results have been contradictory.

The Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health was established in 1992 and is awarded annually by the National Academy of Medicine in the United States to recognize individuals, groups, or organizations for outstanding achievement in improving mental health. It is accompanied by a medal and $20,000.

Daniel R. Weinberger is a professor of psychiatry, neurology and neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University and Director and CEO of the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, which opened in 2011.

Marian Diamond Sigman (1941–2012) was a developmental and child clinical psychologist known for her research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At the time of her death, she was Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Stephanie Ann White is an American neuroscientist who is a Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research looks to understand how social interactions impact the brain. She serves as Director of the Neural Systems and Behavior programme at the Marine Biological Laboratory.

References

  1. ↑ "Daniel Geschwind". NAM Member Profiles.
  2. 1 2 3 "Daniel H. Geschwind". UCLA Website. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Daniel Geschwind". Allen Institute for Brain Science. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "Daniel H. Geschwind". UCLA Newsroom. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  5. ↑ Geschwind, Michael D. (29 May 2010). "Are you Related to "the Geschwind?"". Neuropsychology Review. 20 (2): 123–125. doi:10.1007/s11065-010-9135-9. ISSN   1040-7308. PMC   2881317 . PMID   20512417.
  6. ↑ Wolman, David (2006). A Left Hand Turn Around the World. Da Capo Press. p. 195. ISBN   9780786734979.
  7. 1 2 Hughes, Virginia (17 February 2009). "Daniel Geschwind: After many detours, on the trail of autism's genetics". Spectrum | Autism Research News. Simons Foundation. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 "Geschwind". geschwindlab.dgsom.ucla.edu. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  9. ↑ Reese, Phillip. "All 35 of the University of California's highest-paid employees in 2016 were men". The Sacramento Bee. The McClatchy Company. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "The Geschwind Lab". geschwindlab.dgsom.ucla.edu. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  11. ↑ Konopka, Genevieve; Bomar, Jamee M.; Winden, Kellen; Coppola, Giovanni; Jonsson, Zophonias O.; Gao, Fuying; Peng, Sophia; Preuss, Todd M.; Wohlschlegel, James A.; Geschwind, Daniel H. (12 November 2009). "Human-specific transcriptional regulation of CNS development genes by FOXP2". Nature. 462 (7270): 213–217. Bibcode:2009Natur.462..213K. doi:10.1038/nature08549. PMC   2778075 . PMID   19907493.
  12. ↑ Keim, Brandon (11 November 2009). "Human-Chimp Gene Comparison Hints at Roots of Language". Wired. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  13. ↑ Voineagu, Irina; Wang, Xinchen; Johnston, Patrick; Lowe, Jennifer K.; Tian, Yuan; Horvath, Steve; Mill, Jonathan; Cantor, Rita M.; Blencowe, Benjamin J.; Geschwind, Daniel H. (25 May 2011). "Transcriptomic analysis of autistic brain reveals convergent molecular pathology". Nature. 474 (7351): 380–384. doi:10.1038/nature10110. PMC   3607626 . PMID   21614001.
  14. ↑ "Autistic brains' 'genes differ'". BBC News. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  15. ↑ Hotz, Robert Lee (5 March 2002). "Left-Handers Are Found to Have Different Brains". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  16. ↑ Klass, Perri (6 March 2011). "On the Left Hand, There Are No Easy Answers". New York Times. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  17. ↑ Lewis, Talia (15 September 2022). "Daniel H. Geschwind Receives National Academy of Medicine's Sarnat Prize for Contributions to Understanding of the Genetics of Autism". National Academy of Medicine (Press release). Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  18. ↑ "Highly Cited Researchers List 2017 - Top Researchers Around the World". clarivate.com. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
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