Clifford R. Jack

Professor · Tohoku University

Tohoku University

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h-index203
Publications2,456
Last 5y736
English accessEnglish-language information not found on lab site

Research summary

Diagnostic criteria and biomarker frameworks for Alzheimer's disease (AD) form the dominant research stream in this corpus. A 2011 NIA-Alzheimer's Association workgroup revised the 1984 dementia criteria, producing flexible diagnostic recommendations usable both by generalists without access to advanced imaging or CSF measures and by specialists in trial settings; the resulting documents define all-cause dementia and probable AD dementia [1] and are framed by an introductory paper outlining the multi-workgroup process [7]. A parallel preclinical-stages workgroup synthesised biomarker, epidemiological, and neuropsychological evidence to characterise the long asymptomatic phase preceding AD dementia and to identify factors predicting progression from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) [3]. The 2018 NIA-AA Research Framework moved the field toward a biological definition of AD anchored in amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration biomarkers rather than clinical syndromes, with explicit scoping for observational and interventional research rather than routine care [2]. An earlier International Working Group consensus on MCI, drawing on a multidisciplinary Stockholm symposium, set out clinical, cognitive, functional, neuroimaging, biomarker, and genetic criteria and management recommendations [4]. The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) supplies the data infrastructure underlying much of this framework: the MRI methods paper describes 3T and 1.5T protocol specifications, phantom QC, and acquisition standardisation across sites for longitudinal study of healthy elders, MCI, and AD subjects with linked PET, CSF, and clinical assessments [5]. The Neurology overview of ADNI characterises 819 subjects (229 normal, 398 MCI, 192 mild AD) and presents cross-sectional and 12-month longitudinal data evaluating neuroimaging and chemical biomarkers as candidate indices of clinical progression [6]. Together the works construct a coordinated diagnostic, biomarker, and imaging architecture spanning preclinical, MCI, and dementia phases of AD.

Recent publications

  1. The diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease: Recommendations from the National Institute on Aging‐Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease2011 · Alzheimer s & Dementia · 18672 citationsDOI
  2. NIA‐AA Research Framework: Toward a biological definition of Alzheimer's disease2018 · Alzheimer s & Dementia · 10115 citationsDOI
  3. Toward defining the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease: Recommendations from the National Institute on Aging‐Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease2011 · Alzheimer s & Dementia · 7065 citationsDOI
  4. Mild cognitive impairment – beyond controversies, towards a consensus: report of the International Working Group on Mild Cognitive Impairment2004 · Journal of Internal Medicine · 4947 citationsDOI
  5. Hypothetical model of dynamic biomarkers of the Alzheimer's pathological cascade2009 · The Lancet Neurology · 4713 citationsDOI
  6. Tracking pathophysiological processes in Alzheimer's disease: an updated hypothetical model of dynamic biomarkers2013 · The Lancet Neurology · 4377 citationsDOI
  7. The Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI): MRI methods2008 · Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging · 4323 citationsDOI
  8. Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)2009 · Neurology · 2500 citationsDOI
  9. Introduction to the recommendations from the National Institute on Aging‐Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease2011 · Alzheimer s & Dementia · 2034 citationsDOI
  10. The clinical use of structural MRI in Alzheimer disease2010 · Nature Reviews Neurology · 2020 citationsDOI

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How to apply

Email Clifford R. Jack 6-12 months before your application deadline. Read several recent papers and reference specific work in your message. Use our how to email a Japanese professor guide for the proven email structure.

For applications via MEXT scholarship: see our MEXT 2027 complete guide and university-specific University Recommendation track.

External profiles

Profile compiled from public sources (Researchmap, OpenAlex, Tohoku University faculty directory). Last refreshed 2026-05. Report incorrect information.

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