Personal Info:
Dr. Yacoubian is an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Parkinson Association of Alabama Scholar in Parkinson's Research in the Division of Movement Disorders and Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics. She received her M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina in 2001. Her Ph.D. from Duke is in Neurobiology. She completed her Neurology Residency at Harvard Medical School/Partners Program. Prior to joining the UAB Neurology faculty in July of 2006, Dr. Yacoubian was a Research and Clinical Fellow in Movement Disorders at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital from 2005-2006.

Specialty / Interests

MAJOR RESEARCH INTERESTS:
My lab is focused on understanding the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease with the long-term goal of developing neuroprotective therapies. Alpha-synuclein has a central role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease, yet how it triggers dopaminergic neuron toxicity is poorly understood. We have shown through gene microarray experiments of transgenic alpha-synuclein mice that alpha-synuclein overexpression results in decreased expression of a class of genes encoding the 14-3-3 proteins. Because the 14-3-3s inhibit apoptotic pathways, we are investigating whether decreased 14-3-3 expression is an important step in alpha-synuclein toxicity and whether increasing 14-3-3 levels can mitigate toxicity in both in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease. We employ a wide variety of cellular and molecular techniques.

UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES:
My University Activities focus on basic research, clinical care and research, and teaching. As part of the UAB Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, my laboratory focuses on understanding the causes for Parkinson’s disease and developing potential therapies for the disorder. I am also involved in clinical trials through the Division of Movement Disorders. I see patients in my weekly outpatient clinic in the Division of Movement Disorders. As an attending on the Neurology inpatient or consult services, I am involved in teaching both medical students and residents. I also give lectures to the residents as part of their noontime lecture series.

Publications

Dr. Yacoubian in Health System Directory