Department of Integrated Medicine

Neurology

Deciphering Neurological Disease, Pioneering the Medicine of Tomorrow
  • Cerebrovascular Disease — From Pathogenesis to New Diagnostics and Therapies
  • Neurodegenerative Disorders — From Disease Mechanisms to Disease-Modifying Therapies
  • Neuroimmunological Disorders — Toward Precision Medicine and Novel Therapies
  • ALS — From Disease Mechanisms to Disease-Modifying Therapies
  • Genetic Neurological and Neuromuscular Disorders — From Molecular Mechanisms to Innovative Therapies
Professor Masayuki Nakamori
Neurology
Since becoming an independent department in 1991, we have been committed to providing clinical care for a broad spectrum of neurological diseases, ranging from cerebrovascular disorders to intractable neuromuscular diseases, while fostering the next generation of medical professionals and researchers. By integrating basic and clinical research, we pursue studies that will shape the future of neurological care—from elucidating disease pathogenesis to developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Integrated Basic and Clinical Research to Elucidate the Pathogenesis of Neurological Diseases and Translate Discoveries into Novel Diagnostics and Therapies

We conduct comprehensive research spanning the elucidation of disease pathogenesis to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cerebrovascular disorders; neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease; neuroimmune diseases; ALS; and hereditary neuromuscular diseases, such as muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease.

Neurological diseases affect diverse tissues, including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles. Their onset and progression involve complex interactions among multiple factors, including genes, proteins, RNA, the immune system, blood vessels, and metabolism. We perform detailed analyses of patient-derived clinical data, imaging findings, biomarkers, and histopathological tissues. We also use advanced technologies―including molecular and cell biology, neuropathology, omics analyses, disease models, and iPS cells—to investigate the fundamental nature of these diseases.

We place particular emphasis on translational research that brings findings from basic science into clinical practice. Our efforts include establishing novel biomarkers, enabling early diagnosis and disease stratification, expanding the indications of existing drugs, and developing innovative therapies, including oligonucleotide therapeutics and gene therapy. Through close collaboration with research institutions in Japan and abroad, affiliated medical institutions, and industry partners, we have established a research framework that connects basic science with clinical practice and ultimately benefits patients.

With a global perspective, we strive to deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of neurological diseases and deliver new therapeutic options to patients with conditions that have historically been difficult to treat.