Paul J. Hagerman, M.D., Ph.D.

Research/Academic Interests

Dr. Hagerman is a molecular geneticist with a principal interest in understanding the basis for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the Hagerman lab has made a number of important observations related to the mechanism of gene expression of the fragile X (FMR1) gene, mutations of which are responsible for fragile X syndrome, the leading heritable form of mental impairment and leading known cause of autism.

In 2001, Dr. Hagerman and his wife, Dr. Randi Hagerman (Medical Director of the MIND Institute), reported their discovery of a neurological disorder involving tremor and gait ataxia, which they later named fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). They also discovered that FXTAS represents a new class of inclusion disorder, with numerous intranuclear inclusions found throughout the brains of affected individuals. FXTAS is now known to be one of the most common single-gene forms of neurodegeneration. Since it has features of both Parkinsonism and dementia, FXTAS represents a model system for understanding the pathogenesis of those more common, sporadic disorders.

Dr. Hagerman is currently on the scientific advisory board of the National Fragile X Foundation and is Director of the NeuroTherapeutics Research Institute (NTRI), which is funded through the “Roadmap Initiative” from the National Institutes of Health.

Division

Biological Chemistry

Center/Program Affiliation

UC Davis MIND Institute