BHI Plenary Seminar: Alain Dagher, MD, PhD (McGill University)

“Computational models of neurodegeneration provide insights into disease mechanisms”

Plenary Speaker: Alain Dagher, MD
Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Health Centre

Date and Time: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 12:00 PM

In-Person Location: Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Aidekman Building, Room 103, Rutgers University-Newark

Zoom link: https://rutgers.zoom.us/s/93519832456
Meeting ID: 935 1983 2456  |  Passcode: 111926

Big data in neuroimaging has allowed us to uncover novel associations between brain measures and disease or behavioural phenotypes. However, causal mechanisms are not always evident. Confounds, reverse causation, and selection bias all limit causal interpretations. Inspired by the new science of causal inference, Dr. Dagher combines (1) very large MRI and postmortem datasets, (2) genomics, and (3) pathophysiology-informed computational models. He will discuss methods for determining causality from observational data and apply these principles to Parkinson’s disease (PD). He will show that PD is likely a propagating proteinopathy with disease epicentres and routes of propagation that determine clinical manifestations. Dr. Dagher will also show that genetically-determined brain features appear to confer vulnerability to the disease, and speculate on what these tell us about the pathophysiology of PD.

Hosted by Dr. Travis Baker, Associate Professor, the Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University-Newark

Learn more about the BHI Plenary Seminar Series