Bryan J. Traynor

Bryan J. Traynor is a renowned neurologist and geneticist known for his significant contributions to the field of neurodegenerative diseases. He is currently serving as the Senior Investigator and Chief of the Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section at the Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Early Life and Education

Traynor was born and raised in Ireland. He completed his undergraduate studies in medicine at the University College Dublin, where he graduated with honors. He then pursued his postgraduate training in neurology at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

Career

Following his postgraduate training, Traynor moved to the United States to join the NIH as a research fellow. He later became the Chief of the Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section at the Laboratory of Neurogenetics, where he leads a team of researchers studying the genetic causes of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Research and Contributions

Traynor's research primarily focuses on understanding the genetic basis of ALS and FTD. His team was instrumental in identifying the C9orf72 gene, the most common genetic cause of both ALS and FTD. This groundbreaking discovery has significantly advanced our understanding of these diseases and has opened new avenues for potential treatments.

Awards and Recognition

Traynor's contributions to the field of neurology and genetics have earned him numerous awards and recognition. He is a recipient of the prestigious Sheila Essey Award for ALS research from the American Academy of Neurology and the Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick's, Alzheimer's, and Related Diseases.

See Also

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Neurology
• Genetics