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Neurodegenerative Science
Overview
Worldwide, between 7 million and 10 million people have Parkinson’s disease and more than 30 million have dementia. Currently, there is no cure and no effective way to slow or stop disease progression.
VAI scientists aim to change that by investigating the complex factors that give rise to neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, from genetics and epigenetics to aging, inflammation and the structure of the brain itself — even the role of the gut and the immune system. By leveraging discoveries made in VAI’s labs and collaborating with researchers around the world, our scientists are working to translate breakthroughs into life-changing new treatments for Parkinson’s, dementias and depression.
West Michigan Neurodegenerative Diseases (MiND) Program
Van Andel Institute’s West Michigan Neurodegenerative Diseases (MiND) Program is a collaborative effort to identify genetic and epigenetic changes that may play roles in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and dementias. Our goal? To move the needle in our understanding of these diseases, power new discoveries and leverage our findings to inform groundbreaking treatment strategies.
Learn More![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Image-3.jpg)
Our Faculty
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Darren-Moore_SELECTED_012317_001-e1705599604955.jpg)
Darren Moore, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, MiND Program
Molecular Neurodegeneration
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lena-Brundin_SELECTED_031114_298-e1676391379659.jpg)
Lena Brundin, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Behavioral Medicine
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gerry-Coetzee-2021-e1683299753262.jpg)
Gerhard (Gerry) Coetzee, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, MiND NeuroGenomes Project
Post-GWAS Functionality
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Michael-Henderson_070721_001-e1676391153963.jpg)
Michael Henderson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, VAI Brain Bank
Protein Pathologies and Genetic Risk in Neurodegeneration
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Laurent-Roybon_062123_003-scaled-e1705599517465.jpg)
Laurent Roybon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, MiND iPSC Program
Patient-Based Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Qiang-Zhu-6-e1659383746186.jpg)
Qiang Zhu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science
Genetics, Epigenetics and Therapeutic Innovation in Neurodegenerative Diseases
WEST MICHIGAN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE (MIND) PROGRAM TEAM
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Darren-Moore_SELECTED_012317_001-e1705599604955.jpg)
Darren Moore, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, MiND Program
Molecular Neurodegeneration
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Laurent-Roybon_062123_003-scaled-e1705599517465.jpg)
Laurent Roybon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, MiND iPSC Program
Patient-Based Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gerry-Coetzee-2021-e1683299753262.jpg)
Gerhard (Gerry) Coetzee, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, MiND NeuroGenomes Project
Post-GWAS Functionality
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Michael-Henderson_070721_001-e1676391153963.jpg)
Michael Henderson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Director, VAI Brain Bank
Protein Pathologies and Genetic Risk in Neurodegeneration
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Erin-Williams_100520_005-e1683308254372.jpg)
Erin Williams, Ph.D.
Research Program Manager, MiND
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/SELECTED_Ashley-Douglass_112119_003-e1683307288914.jpg)
Ashley Douglass, B.S.
Senior Administrative Assistant II
Olivia Licari
Research Technician, MiND Program
Latest from Vai
Learn More![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/iLCT-lithium-art-hed.png)
Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Institute announce funding for a phase 1 clinical trial of low-dose lithium in Parkinson’s disease
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BANNER_PLS-2-Recap-Blog_1500x600.png)
How understanding proteins can inform new Parkinson’s treatments
![](https://www.vai.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BANNER_NNDC-Release_1500x600.jpg)
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Van Andel Institute and Western Michigan University Join the National Network of Depression Centers
Recent Tweets
Recent Publications
Our Impact
We're raising thousands to save millions
We’re turning hope into action for the millions of people around the world affected by diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. Find out how you can help us make a difference.
- 121 peer-reviewed papers published in 2023
- 62 peer-reviewed papers published in high-impact journals in 2023
- 55 clinical trials launched to date