Dr. Alexander Shtilbans, MD, PhD

Dr. Alexander Shtilbans is a board certified neurologist whose clinical interest lies in the area of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease. He began his career as a molecular biologist in Neuroscience and, after obtaining his PhD, transitioned into clinical Neurology in order to work with patients and gain a better understanding of the clinical course of these diseases. Dr. Shtilbans received his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency in Neurology and served as a chief resident. Subsequently, he trained with Dr. Stanley Fahn during his clinical fellowship in Movement Disorders at Columbia University. Dr. Shtilbans has a longstanding interest in translational research and is currently involved in several clinical trials in Parkinson's Disease. As a physician scientist, Dr. Shtilbans is interested in developing new therapies that will slow down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. His goal is to better …understand molecular mechanisms of the neurodegenerative processes by being actively involved in both clinical and basic science research. Dr. Shtilbans serves as a co-Principal Investigator on an R01 grant from NIH to develop brain iron mapping techniques and study the role of iron accumulation in pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease. The obtained knowledge from this clinical trial would help in future clinical trials aimed to determine if chelation of brain iron in Parkinson's disease patients produces clinical benefit due to disease modifying effects. He has been publishing his research findings and has received multiple awards from the American Academy of Neurology.