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Neuropathology is a highly specialized, yet remarkably broad field of study. The innate complexity of the brain and the number of diseases that affect the central and peripheral nervous systems is daunting. Nevertheless, there has never been a more exciting time to practice within this field, as exploding technologic advances allow us to address critical questions in ways that were never possible even a few years ago.

The Division of Neuropathology at Washington University School of Medicine is committed to the advancement of the clinical practice of diagnostic neuropathology by its integration with modern techniques and insights gleaned from new developments in basic molecular neuroscience research. The clinical service is extremely active and includes everything from ‘bread and butter’ neuropathology to the rarest of entities. We take pride in providing unsurpassed diagnostic and molecular diagnostic services, fulfilling both the local needs at Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s Hospitals, as well as many other centers around the world via our consultation service. At least one teaching conference is held each day of the week, with General Pathology residents, Neuropathology fellows, Pediatric Pathology fellows, and rotating residents from Neurology, Neurosurgery, and/or Neuroradiology in attendance. Lastly, there is a glass slide teaching set within the Division that includes hundreds of cases of all types that can be reviewed under the microscope by medical students, residents, and fellows rotating through our service.

The research involvement of our faculty is equally active and includes virtually all aspects of basic, translational, and clinical studies, often in association with members of other departments at Washington University, as well as numerous national and international collaborations. Areas of Neuropathology faculty research interest are widely varied. They include translational research involving the identification of molecular genetic markers associated with tumorigenesis, malignant progression, and biologic behavior of brain tumors in man and transgenic mouse models (Dr. Perry). We have a longstanding interest in the investigation of the mechanisms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in aging and diabetes using unique insights gained from human pathologic studies to develop rat and transgenic mouse models (Dr. Schmidt). A major focus is neurodegenerative disease (Drs. Cairns and Morris) conducted in collaboration with the Washington University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, an internationally known resource of pathologically and clinically well characterized human subjects, and involving molecular characterization of pathogenetic mechanisms using transgenic mouse models. As a result, we form an integral part of the vibrant, diverse and widespread neurobiology research community drawn from the Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Psychiatry, Pharmacology and Molecular Biology.

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Links

Neuromuscular Disease Center
Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
Neuropathology Consults
Faculty Expertise: Neuropathology
Fellowship Training: Neuropathology