| Professor | Yasuyuki TAKI |
| Associate Professor | Taizen NAKASE |
| Senior Assistant Professor | Yasuko TATEWAKI |
| Assistant Professor | Yumi TAKANO |
| Assistant Professor | Benjamin THYREAU |
| Graduate Student / Medical Staff | Ryotaro NAMBA |
| Graduate Student / Medical Staff | Ryotaro NAKABAYASH |
Standing at the forefront of neuroscience and geriatric medicine, we conduct comprehensive research and clinical practice focused on dementia and diseases specific to the elderly.
At the Memory Clinic of Tohoku University Hospital, we provide comprehensive care for patients with cognitive decline, including detailed diagnostic evaluations and treatment through clinical assessment and advanced testing. We also offer consultation on treatment strategies and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms in patients with advanced dementia.
In recent years, we have actively introduced anti-amyloid beta antibody therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, also participated in numerous clinical trials and new drug development programs for dementia. Our clinical research focuses on elucidating the pathophysiology of dementia, as well as cognitive impairment across all age groups, utilizing cutting-edge neuroimaging and physiological assessment techniques. The outcomes of these efforts are disseminated globally.
Furthermore, we aim to improve geriatric care by addressing critical issues such as polypharmacy and delirium through clinical research. In parallel, we are actively engaged in basic research to tackle the broader challenges of a super-aging society. To this end, we promote industry–academia collaborative research by leveraging diverse research seeds within the university in partnership with various companies.
Our field encompasses a wide range of factors influencing elderly health, including brain development and aging, lifestyle habits, and genetic factors. Specifically, we conduct interventional studies to clarify how daily life factors—such as diet, exercise, and artistic activities—affect physical function, cognitive function, and psychological well-being in older adults.
Ultimately, we aim to translate findings from industry–academia collaborations into real-world applications. We recognize that addressing the challenges of a super-aging society is a critical issue that requires close cooperation between academia and industry. As a result, multiple university-originated startup companies have already been established.
Research Topics
・International comparison of clinical characteristics in patients with mild cognitive impairment
・Attempts at early detection of cognitive impairment using blood biomarkers
・Impact of diabetes on Alzheimer’s disease pathology
・Elucidation of abnormal brain neural networks associated with cognitive impairment
・Investigation of the relationship between diet, exercise habits, and cognitive function in healthy older adults
Selected Publications
1. Nakase T, Takano Y, Nomura S, Baek HW, Takayama S, Ono R, Abe M, Ishii T, Tatewaki Y, Taki Y. Association of symptoms of neuropsychological long COVID with imaging and plasma biomarkers. J Neurol Sci. 2026 Apr 15;483:125808. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2026.125808.
2. Nakase T, Tatewaki Y, Takano Y, Nomura S, Baek HW, Taki Y. Blood Biomarkers Reflect Dementia Symptoms and Are Influenced by Cerebrovascular Lesions. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Mar 5;26(5):2325. doi: 10.3390/ijms26052325.
3. Soga K, Takahashi M, Uno A, Sinada T, Oba K, Kawashima K, Tatewaki Y, Nakase T, Taki Y. Circuit training intervention for cognitive function, gut microbiota, and aging control: study protocol for a longitudinal, open-label randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2025 Mar 18;26(1):94. doi: 10.1186/s13063-025-08807-9.
4. Zhang Y, Tatewaki Y, Nakase T, Liu Y, Tomita N, Thyreau B, Zheng H, Muranaka M, Takano Y, Nagasaka T, Taki Y. Impact of hs-CRP concentration on brain structure alterations and cognitive trajectory in Alzheimer’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci. 2023 Aug 1;15:1227325. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1227325. eCollection 2023.
5. Nakase T, Tatewaki Y, Thyreau B, Odagiri H, Tomita N, Yamamoto S, Takano Y, Muranaka M, Taki Y. Impact of atrial fibrillation on the cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2023 Jan 13;15(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s13195-023-01165-1.
Research Interests
Alzheimer’s disease; Mild cognitive impairment; Frailty; Polypharmacy; Brain sciences.