Brian Balin, PhD

JAD profile

Affiliation(s): 

Philadelphia college of Osteopathic Medicine

Areas of Interest: 

Alzheimer basic research

Biography & Research: 

Dr. Brian J. Balin is the Chairman and Professor of the Department of Bio-Medical Sciences at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition, Dr. Balin is the Director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging, an Osteopathic Heritage Foundation endowed center, as well as the co-director of the Adolph and Rose Levis Foundation Laboratory for Alzheimer’s Disease Research at PCOM. Dr. Balin is an internationally recognized expert in the field of Alzheimer's Disease research. His research interests include: Infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae as a trigger in the neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease, effects of infection and inflammation on the blood brain barrier in cerebrovascular disease, modification of neuronal cytoskeletal proteins through phosphorylation and the action of transglutaminase, and pathogenesis of chronic disease associated with the aging process. Dr. Balin has received numerous National Institutes of Health and private foundation grant awards for his research. He is highly published in peer-reviewed journals, and has written a number of chapters and reviews on the pathology of Alzheimer's disease, including reviews on the "Pathogen Hypothesis" of this disease (see live discussion section, www.alzforum.org). In addition, he has presented and continues to present his work at major national and international scientific meetings including a number of international and world congresses on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.