Dwight German, Ph.D. Titles and Appointments Professor School Medical School Department Psychiatry Graduate Programs Neuroscience Biography Dwight German, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, is doing blood-based biomarker research in individuals with Autism, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. He is experimenting with blood-based biomarkers for diagnostic tests in clinical care. His lab also investigates the effects of exercise and in lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and the role of the exposome in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. German and the lab research associates collaborate closely with PIs in other departments (Molecular Genetics, McDermott Center, Bioinformatics) and at other institutions (University of Georgia, Emory University, Stanford University). He is currently funded by several grants from the NIA, the Brain Foundation, and the Dallas Foundation and has recently published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia and PlosOne. Education Undergraduate Southern Methodist University (1966), Psychology Graduate School University of Oklahoma (1967), Experimental Psychology Graduate School Uni of Oklahoma-Hlth Sci Ctr (1972), Neuroscience Research Interest Blood biomarkers are being sought for Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and autism. Blood samples from patients with these diseases are analyzed to identify potential antibody and protein biomarkers that can be used to diagnose the diseases, and possibly identify the diseases before symptoms occur. Environmental links to neurodegenerative disease: role of pesticides. Pesticide exposure (e.g., Lindane and DDT) may be responsible for some cases of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are studied to understand the mechanisms responsible for neurodegeneration. Blood and brain tissue from patients and animal models of these diseases are used. Publications Featured Publications Blood biomarker discovery for autism spectrum disorder: A proteomic analysis. Hewitson L, Mathews JA, Devlin M, Schutte C, Lee J, German DC, PLoS One 2021 16 2 e0246581 Identification of candidate IgG biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease via combinatorial library screening. Reddy MM, Wilson R, Wilson J, Connell S, Gocke A, Hynan L, German D, Kodadek T. Cell 2011 144 132-142 Elevated pesticide levels in the serum are associated with increased risk for Parkinson's disease. Richardson, J.R., Shalat, S.L., Buckley, B., Winnik, B., OSuilleabhain, P., Diaz-Arrastia, R., Reisch, J., German, D.C. Arch. Neurol. 2009 66 (7) 870-875 Blood biomarker discovery for autism spectrum disorder: A proteomic analysis. Hewitson L, Mathews JA, Devlin M, Schutte C, Lee J, German DC, PLoS One 2024 19 12 e0302951 Targeted Metabolomic Analysis in Alzheimer's Disease Plasma and Brain Tissue in Non-Hispanic Whites. Kalecký K, German DC, Montillo AA, Bottiglieri T, J Alzheimers Dis 2022 Feb Mapping Reward Mechanisms by Intracerebral Self Stimulation in the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta). Bowden DMH, German DC, J Comp Neurol 2021 May Antibody biomarker for de novo Parkinson disease: attempted validation. Feng N, Simanski S, Islam K, Hynan LS, Kodadek T, German DC NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2018 4 28 Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and interleukin-8 levels in boys with autism spectrum disorder. Singh S, Yazdani U, Gadad B, Zaman S, Hynan LS, Roatch N, Schutte C, Marti CN, Hewitson L, German DC J Neuroinflammation 2017 Jun 14 1 113 A search for blood biomarkers for autism: peptoids. Zaman S, Yazdani U, Deng Y, Li W, Gadad B, Hynan, L, Karp D, Roatch N, Schutte C, Marti CN, Hewitson L, German DC. Scientific Reports 2016 Blood biomarker for Parkinson disease: peptoids. Yazdani U, Zaman S, Hynan LS, Brown LS, Dewey RB, Karp D, German DC NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2016 2 Results 1-10 of 24 1 2 3 Next Last Honors & Awards NIH Blueprint MedTech Cycle 5 ProgramReviewer (2025) Scientific Review Group: ZRG1 CN-H 55 R, PAR PanelFogarty Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research across the Lifespan (2025) Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson ResearchReviewer (2024) Editorial Board, npj Parkinson's Disease (2016-2023) Member, NINDS and Michael J. Fox Foundation Biospecimen and Harvard Brain Study Resource Access Committee (BRAC). (2014-2023) Grant Reviewer for New Jersey Governor's Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism (2013-2021) Study Section member for the National Institute on Aging (2011-2023) Editorial Board, Current Molecular Pharmacology (2008-2023) Professional Associations/Affiliations American Association for the Advancement of Science International Society to Advance Alzheimer Research and Treatment Society for Neuroscience
