SUMMARY
Jennifer Whitwell, Ph.D., conducts research using neuroimaging to increase understanding of pathophysiological brain changes in patients with a range of different neurodegenerative diseases. Her work focuses on progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, progressive apraxia of speech and atypical forms of Alzheimer's disease. She uses structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multiple types of positron emission tomography (PET) scans to measure brain metabolism, protein deposition and neuroinflammation.
Dr. Whitwell integrates imaging findings with clinical and genetic data, as well as blood-based measures of disease-related proteins. Her research has identified biomarkers that support earlier and more accurate diagnosis, help track disease progression, and reveal biological mechanisms underlying disease spread in the brain. Her work is funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Focus areas
- Molecular and structural imaging in atypical Alzheimer's disease: a longitudinal study. Dr. Whitwell leads a project investigating the degree to which functional connectivity, iron deposition and genetic variability are related to heterogeneity in the brain distribution of tau and beta-amyloid proteins across atypical clinical variants of Alzheimer's disease.
- Longitudinal multimodality imaging in nonfluent or agrammatic primary progressive aphasia. Dr. Whitwell leads a longitudinal study examining the mechanistic role of neuroinflammation in nonfluent or agrammatic primary progressive aphasia, using PET imaging and blood-based biomarkers.
- Longitudinal multimodal imaging in progressive supranuclear palsy syndromes. Dr. Whitwell works in collaboration with Keith A. Josephs, M.D., to explore how iron deposition and neuromelanin loss in key brain structures, as well as blood protein levels, are related to disease spread, progression and survival in progressive supranuclear palsy.
- Neuroinflammation, white matter integrity, Alzheimer's disease biomarkers and pathology in corticobasal syndrome. Dr. Whitwell and Dr. Josephs study neuroinflammation and white matter damage in corticobasal syndrome and assess whether these processes are related and how they differ according to underlying molecular pathology.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Whitwell's research identifies patterns on brain scans. These patterns are neuroimaging features. Healthcare professionals can use them to more accurately recognize different brain conditions. This information helps care teams better understand what causes a person's symptoms and what changes may occur over time. Dr. Whitwell's work also supports the development of new treatments in two ways. Her work gives researchers reliable methods to measure whether treatments are working in clinical trials. It also helps researchers find changes in the brain that could be targets for future therapies.
Professional highlights
- Associate editor, Brain Connectivity, 2024-present.
- Member, Steering Committee, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Study Group, International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, 2024-present.
- Associate editor, Applied Neuroimaging section, Frontiers in Neurology, 2017-present.
- National Institutes of Health:
- Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award, 2026-2033.
- Member, Adult Psychopathology and Disorders of Aging Study Section, Center for Scientific Review, 2018-2022.
- Mayo Clinic:
- Research Career Impetus Award, 2026-2030.
- Carmen Award for Excellence in Research, 2024.
- Alzheimer's Association:
- Scientific Program Advisor, International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment Advisory Council, 2025-2027.
- Best Paper in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging by a New Investigator Award, Alzheimer's Association International Conference, 2009.
- Junior Investigator Award for Excellence in Imaging and Aging Research, American Federation for Aging Research and GE Healthcare, 2010.