Robert A. Stern, PhD
Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Neurology

PhD, University of Rhode Island
MA, University of Rhode Island
BA, Wesleyan University



I am Co-Founder and Director of Clinical Research for the Boston University (BU) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center. A major focus of my current research is to develop methods of detecting and diagnosing CTE during life and to better understand the risk factors for later-life neurological consequences of repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries in former American football players, soccer players, and other contact sport athletes. I was the principal investigator of the first grant funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study CTE, for the DETECT Study. Subsequently, I was the lead investigator of the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project, a $17 million, multi-center, 8-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). I was also the principal investigator of the Head Impact & Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS; also funded by NIH), a longitudinal online assessment of 4800 former American football players and soccer players (age 40 years or older) who participated at any level. My other major area of funded research includes the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. From 2010-2019, I was the Clinical Core Director of the NIA-funded BU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC); I remain a Senior Investigator for the BU ADRC. In these roles, I have been honored to oversee a multidisciplinary group of talented scientists and clinicians and direct the center’s longitudinal research registry, as well as several NIH- and industry-funded diagnostic, prevention, and treatment trials. In addition, I have developed several commonly used tests and instruments, including the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB). I have had leadership positions in several training programs and have mentored over 40 trainees.

Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Anatomy & Neurobiology


Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Neurosurgery


Graduate Faculty (Primary Mentor of Grad Students)
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences


Director of Clinical Research
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center




Protocol #API015A2201J, A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two cohort parallel group study to evaluate the efficacy of CAD106 and CNP520 in participants at risk for the onset of clinical
02/01/2018 - 08/31/2024 (PI)
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation


The A45 Study: Combination anti-amyloid therapy for preclinical Alzheimer's disease
09/30/2019 - 05/31/2024 (PI of Sub-Project / SP)
University of Southern California NIH NIA
1R01AG061848-01

Protocol # 54861911ALZ2003, A Phase 2b/3 Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group, Multicenter Study Investigation the Efficacy and Safety of JNJ-54861911 in Subjects who are Asymp
10/27/2017 - 05/17/2024 (PI)
Janssen Research & Development, LLC


Metformin in Alzheimer's dementia Prevention (MAP)
05/01/2021 - 04/30/2024 (PI of Sub-Project / SP)
Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York NIH NIA
5R01AG062624-04

Metformin in Alzheimer's dementia Prevention (MAP)
09/15/2020 - 04/30/2024 (PI of Sub-Project / SP)
Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York NIH NIA
5R01AG062624-04

Metformin in Alzheimers dementia Prevention (MAP)
08/15/2019 - 04/30/2024 (PI of Sub-Project / SP)
Trustees Of Columbia University In The City Of New York NIH NIA
5R01AG062624-04

The A3 Study: Ante-Amyloid prevention of Alzheimer's disease
06/01/2019 - 04/30/2024 (PI of Sub-Project / SP)
University of Southern California NIH NIA
5R01AG054029-02

Longitudinal Evaluation of Amyloid Risk and Neurodegeneration - the LEARN Study
11/01/2015 - 04/30/2024 (Subcontract PI)
University of Southern California Alzheimer's Assoc


Registry of Amyloid Positive Patients for Alzheimer's Disease Drug Research Trials ("RAmP" or 18F-AV-45-A25)
03/20/2017 - 03/19/2024 (PI)
Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc.


Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's Disease (A4) Open-Label Extension Study
05/15/2019 - 12/31/2023 (Subcontract PI)
University of Southern California NIH NIA
5R01AG063689-04

Showing 10 of 51 results. Show All Results


Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs
2024 Risk and Resilience, Clinical presentation, and Biomarker Profiles of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Related Dementias: The DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project II 1R01NS139383-01
2023 Risk for Later-Life Cognitive Impairment, Neurobehavioral Dysregulation, and Dementia in Former Soccer and American Football Players: The Head Impact and Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS) 5R01NS119651-03
2022 Risk for Later-Life Cognitive Impairment, Neurobehavioral Dysregulation, and Dementia in Former Soccer and American Football Players: The Head Impact and Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS) 5R01NS119651-02
2022 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Detection, Diagnosis, Course, and Risk Factors 5U01NS093334-07
2021 Risk for Later-Life Cognitive Impairment, Neurobehavioral Dysregulation, and Dementia in Former Soccer and American Football Players: The Head Impact and Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS) 1R01NS119651-01
2021 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Detection, Diagnosis, Course, and Risk Factors 5U01NS093334-06 24
2020 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Detection, Diagnosis, Course, and Risk Factors 5U01NS093334-05 24
2019 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Detection, Diagnosis, Course, and Risk Factors 3U01NS093334-04S1 24
2019 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Detection, Diagnosis, Course, and Risk Factors 5U01NS093334-04 24
2018 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Detection, Diagnosis, Course, and Risk Factors 5U01NS093334-03 24
Showing 10 of 33 results. Show All Results

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

iCite Analysis       Copy PMIDs To Clipboard

  1. Adams JW, Kirsch D, Calderazzo SM, Tuz-Zahra F, Tripodis Y, Mez J, Alosco ML, Alvarez VE, Huber BR, Kubilus C, Cormier KA, Nicks R, Uretsky M, Nair E, Kuzyk E, Aytan N, Cherry JD, Crary JF, Daneshvar DH, Nowinski CJ, Goldstein LE, Dwyer B, Katz DI, Cantu RC, Stern RA, McKee AC, Stein TD. Substantia Nigra Pathology, Contact Sports Play, and Parkinsonism in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. JAMA Neurol. 2024 Sep 01; 81(9):916-924.View Related Profiles. PMID: 39008284; PMCID: PMC11250391; DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.2166;
     
  2. Asken BM, Bove JM, Bauer RM, Tanner JA, Casaletto KB, Staffaroni AM, VandeVrede L, Alosco ML, Mez JB, Stern RA, Miller BL, Grinberg LT, Boxer AL, Gorno-Tempini ML, Rosen HJ, Rabinovici GD, Kramer JH. Clinical implications of head trauma in frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2024 Aug 29; 16(1):193.View Related Profiles. PMID: 39210451; PMCID: PMC11363650; DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01553-1;
     
  3. Jung LB, Wiegand TLT, Tuz-Zahra F, Tripodis Y, Iliff JJ, Piantino J, Arciniega H, Kim CL, Pankatz L, Bouix S, Lin AP, Alosco ML, Daneshvar DH, Mez J, Sepehrband F, Rathi Y, Pasternak O, Coleman MJ, Adler CH, Bernick C, Balcer L, Cummings JL, Reiman EM, Stern RA, Shenton ME, Koerte IK. Repetitive Head Impacts and Perivascular Space Volume in Former American Football Players. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Aug 01; 7(8):e2428687.View Related Profiles. PMID: 39186275
     
  4. Pulukuri SV, Fagle TR, Trujillo-Rodriguez D, van Amerongen S, Bernick C, Geda YE, Wethe JV, Peskind ER, Katz DI, Alosco ML, Palmisano JN, Tripodis Y, Adler CH, Balcer LJ, Reiman EM, Shenton ME, Cummings JL, Stern RA. Characterizing Neurobehavioral Dysregulation Among Former American Football Players: Findings From the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2024 Jul 22; appineuropsych20230133.View Related Profiles. PMID: 39034669
     
  5. Stern R, Kester K, Engel J. Recognizing unique characteristics to create equitable, culturally competent teams. Nurs Manage. 2024 Jun 01; 55(6):47-50. PMID: 38811375
     
  6. Culhane JE, Jackson CE, Tripodis Y, Nowinski CJ, Dams-O'Connor K, Pettway E, Uretsky M, Abdolmohammadi B, Nair E, Martin B, Palmisano J, Katz DI, Dwyer B, Daneshvar DH, Goldstein LE, Kowall NW, Cantu RC, Stern RA, Huber BR, Crary JF, Mez J, Stein TD, McKee AC, Alosco ML. Lack of Association of Informant-Reported Traumatic Brain Injury and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. J Neurotrauma. 2024 Jun; 41(11-12):1399-1408.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38445389; PMCID: PMC11339554; DOI: 10.1089/neu.2023.0391;
     
  7. Arciniega H, Baucom ZH, Tuz-Zahra F, Tripodis Y, John O, Carrington H, Kim N, Knyazhanskaya EE, Jung LB, Breedlove K, Wiegand TLT, Daneshvar DH, Rushmore RJ, Billah T, Pasternak O, Coleman MJ, Adler CH, Bernick C, Balcer LJ, Alosco ML, Koerte IK, Lin AP, Cummings JL, Reiman EM, Stern RA, Shenton ME, Bouix S. Brain morphometry in former American football players: Findings from the DIAGNOSE CTE research project. Brain. 2024 Mar 27.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38533783; PMCID: PMC11449133; DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae098;
     
  8. Banks SJ, Yhang E, Tripodis Y, Su Y, Protas H, Adler CH, Balcer LJ, Bernick C, Mez JB, Palmisano J, Barr WB, Wethe JV, Dodick DW, Mcclean MD, Martin B, Hartlage K, Turner A, Turner RW, Malhotra A, Colman M, Pasternak O, Lin AP, Koerte IK, Bouix S, Cummings JL, Shenton ME, Reiman EM, Stern RA, Alosco ML. Clinical Outcomes and Tau Pathology in Retired Football Players: Associations With Diagnosed and Witnessed Sleep Apnea. Neurol Clin Pract. 2024 Apr; 14(2):e200263.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38425491; PMCID: PMC10900387; DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200263;
     
  9. Alexander A, Alvarez VE, Huber BR, Alosco ML, Mez J, Tripodis Y, Nicks R, Katz DI, Dwyer B, Daneshvar DH, Martin B, Palmisano J, Goldstein LE, Crary JF, Nowinski C, Cantu RC, Kowall NW, Stern RA, Delalle I, McKee AC, Stein TD. Cortical-sparing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CSCTE): a distinct subtype of CTE. Acta Neuropathol. 2024 Feb 26; 147(1):45.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38407651; PMCID: PMC11348287; DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02690-5;
     
  10. van Amerongen S, Pulukuri SV, Tuz-Zahra F, Tripodis Y, Cherry JD, Bernick C, Geda YE, Wethe JV, Katz DI, Alosco ML, Adler CH, Balcer LJ, Ashton NJ, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Daneshvar DH, Colasurdo EA, Iliff JJ, Li G, Peskind ER, Shenton ME, Reiman EM, Cummings JL, Stern RA. Inflammatory biomarkers for neurobehavioral dysregulation in former American football players: findings from the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. J Neuroinflammation. 2024 Feb 09; 21(1):46.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38336728; PMCID: PMC10854026; DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03034-6;
     
Showing 10 of 250 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 250 publications over 38 distinct years, with a maximum of 21 publications in 2018

YearPublications
19861
19871
19891
19901
19914
19926
19936
19943
19955
19966
19974
19981
19993
20005
20011
20022
20036
20042
20051
20062
20074
20085
20094
20105
20117
201210
20136
201412
201514
201614
201712
201821
201916
202013
202111
20229
202314
202412


Recent (within 3 months)

A timeline of the NFL’s concussion saga

Philadelphia Inquirer 9/9/2024

Older

Portland man takes part in drug trial giving new hope in fight against Alzheimer’s disease

Portland Press Herald 1/22/2024

High contact

ABC 8/11/2023

How a Concussion Led a Former Football Player/WWE Star to a Pioneering Neuroscience Career

Medscape 2/9/2023

Bruce Murray spent years heading the ball. He worries it took a toll.

The Washington Post 7/5/2022

What is CTE and How Often Are Soccer Players Diagnosed With It?

NBC 10 Boston 6/30/2022

Evidence of CTE Rare in Military Personnel

MedPage Today 6/8/2022

Long-Term Health Outcomes Associated with College Football

Medical Research 4/23/2022

Former College Football Players Suffer More Brain Disorders as They Age

HealthDay 4/21/2022

Cognitive impairment, headaches, CVD more common in former college football players

Healio 4/21/2022

Study links college football with cognitive impairment, other health issues

United Press International 4/20/2022

College football players more likely to have brain disorders, Boston University CTE study finds

WCVB 5 4/20/2022

College football players more likely to have brain disorders: Boston University CTE study

Boston Herald 4/20/2022

‘So many important questions to answer’: BU research indicates college football players more likely to develop brain disorders

WHDH 4/20/2022

Study to examine the risks for brain disorders from repetitive head impacts in contact sports

News Medical 3/8/2022

Boston University brain health researchers recruiting people who played soccer or tackle football

Boston Herald 3/8/2022

BU, UCSF recruiting thousands for new study of head injury in sports

WCVB 3/7/2022

Everyday people fear they have CTE. A dubious market has sprung up to treat them

NPR 12/23/2021

Non-pro athletes may also be at increased risk for CTE, neuroscientist says

NPR 12/19/2021

New NINDS Consensus Criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome Not Yet Ready for the Clinic Just Yet, but Useful for Research

NeurologyToday 4/15/2021

Olympic Bobsledder Who Killed Himself Likely Had C.T.E.

New York Times 4/8/2021

We’re one step closer to diagnosing CTE in living patients

Advisory Board 3/29/2021

The future of CTE and football

Axios 3/23/2021

Criteria Proposed to Diagnose Clinical Syndrome Tied to CTE

Medpage Today 3/15/2021

Doctors provide consensus symptoms of CTE among living, a major step for researchers

The Washington Post 3/15/2021

Abby Wambach and Brandi Chastain Hope Their Deaths Ultimately Make Soccer Safer

Sportscasting 3/12/2021

Black Former NFL Players Say Racial Bias Skews Concussion Payouts

The New York Times 8/25/2020

Sledding athletes are taking their lives

The New York Times 7/26/2020

Repeated Head Impacts Linked To Depression In Later Life

Ministry of Sport 7/21/2020

Repeat Head Impacts May Lead to Depression Later

Futurity 6/30/2020

Sportswomen asked to donate brains for vital dementia research

The Telegraph 11/30/2019

Boxing & MMA: Are They Safe?

MetroWest Daily News 11/17/2019

Older Retired Soccer Players Prone to Neurodegeneration

Alzforum 11/8/2019

Pro Soccer Players at High Risk for Death From Alzheimer's, ALS, Parkinson’s

Medscape 11/5/2019

Teen Girls Suffer As Many Concussions Playing SOCCER As Boys Do Playing Football

The Daily Mail 11/3/2019

Does heading soccer balls hurt women’s brains? U.S. soccer stars take part in new study

NBC News 10/25/2019

Does Heading Soccer Balls Hurt Women's Brains? U.S. Soccer Stars Take Part in New Study

Today Show 10/25/2019

Should Massachusetts Ban Youth Tackle Football?

WGBH’s Greater Boston 10/24/2019

Battle over banning youth tackle football in Massachusetts

Boston Herald 10/22/2019

Mass. Lawmakers Debate Future of Youth Football Amid Concussion Concerns

NBC Boston 10/22/2019

Pro soccer players more likely to die from dementia, study finds

NBC News 10/22/2019

Study Finds Soccer Players at Higher Risk for Dementia, But Leaves Larger Question of Why

Yahoo Sports 10/21/2019

Study Raises Fresh Dementia Concerns From Playing Pro Soccer

AP 10/21/2019

Dementia Deaths High in Former Pro Soccer Players

MedPageToday 10/21/2019

Study Shows More Thinking Problems in Former Pro Soccer Players

Reuters 10/21/2019

Why Women’s Soccer Players are Worried About Their Brains

Bleacher Report 9/10/2019

Women's Soccer Stars Concerned About Trauma From Repetitive Head Impact

NPR 9/5/2019

The NFL Concussion Settlement Is Pure Evil

Vice 8/26/2019

Women's World Cup Highlights Sex Differences - In Medical Research

Forbes 7/7/2019

How Does CTE Impact Women? Former Soccer Stars Join the First All-Female CTE Study at BU

BU Today 7/3/2019

Former US Women's Soccer Players to Take Part in BU CTE Study

NBC Boston 6/28/2019

Former US Women’s Soccer Stars to take part in Boston University brain study

Boston 25 News 6/28/2019

Akers, Chastain to take part in new CTE study

ESPN 6/28/2019

BU Researchers to Launch a CTE Study of Former Female Soccer Players

Boston Magazine 6/28/2019

New CTE Study for Women's Soccer

CBS Evening News 6/27/2019

BU Launches CTE Study of Former Female Soccer Players

Boston Globe 6/27/2019

Brandi Chastain, Michelle Akers launch landmark CTE study for women's soccer: "We can't ignore this anymore"

CBS This Morning 6/27/2019

Female Soccer Stars Sign On To Landmark CTE Research At Boston University

CBS Boston 6/27/2019

Worried About all the Headers They Took, Former USWNT Stars to Participate in CTE Study

Washington Post 6/27/2019

On the Precipice of Memory Loss: Pursuing Better Diagnostic Tools for Patients with CTE and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders

Genetic Literacy Project 6/13/2019

Tau and Amyloid Deposition in Living Former NFL Players

Neurology Advisor 6/12/2019

Toward Diagnosing CTE in Living People

Science and Technology Research News 5/7/2019

For Patients With Memory Loss, Working Towards Better Diagnosis

Undark 5/6/2019

BU researchers suggest hope for finding CTE clinical diagnosis

Daily Free Press 4/25/2019

CAN BRAIN SCANS SPOT CTE IN THE LIVING?

Futurity 4/16/2019

Brain Scans Show High Tau Levels in Living Former Football Players with Suspected CTE

Neurology Today 4/16/2019

In Football Players With Possible CTE, Tau-PET Reveals Subtle Tau Deposition

ALZFORUM 4/12/2019

PET Scans Reveal Elevated Tau in NFL Players’ Brains

The Scientist 4/12/2019

Researchers A Step Closer To Detecting CTE In Living People

Tech Times 4/11/2019

Finding CTE in Living People? BU Just Got Closer to Doing It

Boston Magazine 4/11/2019

Brain Scans May Reveal Concussion Damage, CTE In Living Athletes

Boston 25 News 4/11/2019

New Hope For Diagnosing CTE In Living Patients

WGBH Radio 4/11/2019

Toward Diagnosing CTE in Living People

BU Today 4/11/2019

Boston University Study Suggests CTE Diagnosis In Living Patients Possible

WCVB ABC 4/11/2019

Doctors May Have Found a Way to Reveal Concussion Damage in Living Football Players

TIME 4/11/2019

CTE in Pro Football Players: Evidence Piles Up

Medpage Today 4/10/2019

Former NFL Players Have Higher Tau Levels Than Non-Athletes

Healio 4/10/2019

NFL Retirees Help Scientists Develop Early Test for Brain Condition CTE

HealthDay News 4/10/2019

Study Suggests Path To Detecting CTE In The Living

ESPN 4/10/2019

A Study Of NFL Players' Brains Might Help Diagnose CTE In The Living

CNN 4/10/2019

Brain Scans On Former NFL Players Detect Abnormal Proteins Found In CTE

NBC News 4/10/2019

CTE Researchers Discover Possible Step Toward Diagnostic Test For Living Patients

Boston.com 4/10/2019

Boston University Study Suggests A Way To Diagnose CTE In Living People

The Boston Globe 4/10/2019

CTE Researchers Discover Possible Step Toward Diagnostic Test For Living Patients

The Washington Post 4/10/2019

Study Raises Hopes Of Someday Using PET Scan To Link Brain Tau To CTE Symptoms

Reuters Health 4/10/2019

Brain Scans May Reveal Concussion Damage In Living Athletes

Associated Press 4/10/2019

Abnormal Levels of a Protein Linked to C.T.E. Found in N.F.L Players’ Brains, Study Shows

The New York Times 4/10/2019

Brain Scans May Reveal Concussion Damage in Living Athletes

NBC 10 Boston 4/10/2019

Kiwanis Help Those In Need

The Eagle-Tribune 1/13/2019

Gary Plummer Gets His Mind Right

Sports Illustrated 9/20/2018

Playing Football Before Age 12 Could Lead to Cognitive and Mood Disorders

PBS 9/19/2017

2019 Boston University School of Medicine: Jack Spivack 2019 Distinguished Neuroscientist Award
2016 University of Alabama: Visiting Professor Lecture
2016 Boston University School of Medicine: Faculty Research Award
2016 Ranked #7 in USA Today’s “Top 100 Important NFL People”
2016 Ranked #57 in Sports Illustrated’s MMQB 100
2014 Mayo Clinic: Visiting Speaker
2008 Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter: National Research Award
2001 American Neuropsychiatric Association: Fellow
2001 National Academy of Neuropsychology: Fellow
1999 Brown Medicine School: Outstanding Teaching Award in Psychology
1997 Brown University: Master of Arts ad eundem
1997 National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia & Depression (NARSAD): Independent Investigator Award
1988 Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society: Inductee
1984 Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology: Inductee
1980 Wesleyan University: Heideman Award (for Community Service)
In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Alzheimer's Disease
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Concussion
Dementia
Neuropsychology
Contact for Mentoring:

72 E. Concord St Robinson (B)
Boston MA 02118
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