The Karikari Laboratory

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The Karikari Lab is situated at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospitals, right in the heart of Pittsburgh’s healthcare corridor. Under the leadership of Thomas K. Karikari, Ph.D., a global expert in fluid biomarker assay development and validation, the lab is supported by a multidisciplinary team with a wide range of expertise. It encompasses ample laboratory space and advanced instrumentation to facilitate cutting-edge immunoassays and mass spectrometry experiments.

Our lab’s primary focus is advancing biomarker research for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia (ADRD). We are particularly interested in developing and applying blood-based biomarker assays to detect toxic protein aggregates that contribute to neurodegenerative disorders. We have developed highly sensitive blood biomarkers for amyloid beta peptides and various forms of tau (phosphorylated-tau and brain-derived tau). In collaboration with clinical teams, we have applied these biomarkers to numerous clinical cohorts to evaluate their effectiveness in predicting AD pathologies. Our mission is to provide readily available tools for AD diagnosis and prognosis to a wide range of populations, including minoritized and low-income groups.

We welcome collaborative opportunities to further explore these advancements and extend their applications. Engaging with us offers a chance to contribute to transformative research and improve global healthcare outcomes. For collaboration inquiries and to learn more about our groundbreaking work, please contact us.

Recent Publications

Plasma phosphorylated-tau217 is increased in Niemann-Pick disease type C

Plasma phosphorylated-tau217 is increased in Niemann-Pick disease type C

Fernando Gonzalez-Ortiz 1 2, Thomas K Karikari 1 3, Danielle Taylor-Te Vruchte 4, Dawn Shepherd 4, Bjørn-Eivind Kirsebom 5 6, Tormod Fladby 7 8, Frances Platt 4, Kaj Blennow 1 2 9 10 Brain Commun. 2024 Oct 25;6(6):fcae375. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae375. eCollection...

News

Could a handheld device help catch Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s early?

Could a handheld device help catch Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s early?

By Hannah Flynn | Medical News Today There is still research to be done into the best type of biomarkers to detect Alzheimer’s disease in different types of body fluid, said Dr. Thomas K Karikari, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, who...

Funding

Affiliations