![Annakaisa Haapasalo](https://uefconnect.uef.fi/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/799f0015b56f023618b0254033c92799_profile_file.jpg)
Annakaisa Haapasalo
Professor
I am Professor and leader of the Molecular Neurodegeneration Research Group at A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, UEF. I am also Chair of the steering group of the regional Kuopio Brain and Mind network of Neurocenter Finland.
A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences
annakaisa.haapasalo@uef.fi | +358 40 355 2768
I am Professor in Molecular Neurodegeneration and Research Group Leader. My current research interests are: Potential synaptic dysfunction, contribution of microglia and inflammation, and alterations in protein degradation and cellular energy metabolism in the pathogenesis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as well as fluid biomarkers in FTD and other early onset dementias. Currently, I also coordinate the EU JPND programme-funded SynaDeg (Pre-diagnostic early synaptic disturbances in neurodegenerative diseases) project. In addition, I am Chair of the Regional Steering Group of the Kuopio Brain & Mind network belonging under the umbrella of Neurocenter Finland.
The aim of our studies is to provide new insights into the molecular basis of genetic (especially C9orf72 repeat expansion-associated) and sporadic frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and translate our findings for the benefit of the patients by discovering novel biomarker or therapeutic candidate targets.
Research groups
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Brain Research Unit (BRU) - Clinical Trial Unit 01.01.2022 - 24.09.2025
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Annakaisa Haapasalo Group (Molecular Neurodegener… 01.06.2015 -
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NPH and Early AD 01.01.2010 -
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Finnish FTD Research Network (FinFTD) 01.05.2016 -
Projects
Annakaisa Haapasalo appointed as Professor of Molecular Neurodegeneration
https://www.uef.fi/en/article/annakaisa-haapasalo-appointed-as-professor-of-molecular-neurodegeneration
Significant support from Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation to research on memory disorders
https://www.uef.fi/fi/artikkeli/jane-ja-aatos-erkon-saatiolta-merkittava-tuki-uusille-muistisairauksien-tutkimushankkeille
UEF’s frontotemporal dementia researchers secure prestigious Academy of Finland and EU funding
https://www.uef.fi/en/article/uefs-frontotemporal-dementia-researchers-secure-prestigious-academy-of-finland-and-eu-funding
Publications
23/120 items-
Neurofilamentit keskushermostoa rappeuttavien sairauksien diagnostiikassa
Katisko, Kasper; Haapasalo, Annakaisa; Solje, Eino. 2024. Kliin lab. 41: 12-14 -
Cortico-spinal tDCS in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial followed by an open-label phase
Benussi, Alberto; Cantoni, Valentina; Grassi, Mario; Libri, Ilenia; Cotelli, Maria Sofia; Tarantino, Barbara; Datta, Abhishek; Thomas, Chris; Huber, Nadine; Kärkkäinen, Sari; Herukka, Sanna-Kaisa; Haapasalo, Annakaisa; Filosto, Massimiliano; Padovani, Alessandro; Borroni, Barbara. 2023. Brain stimulation. 16: 1666-1676 -
Psychopharmacological Medication Use in Frontotemporal Dementia at the Time of Diagnosis: Comparison with Alzheimer’s Disease
Katisko, Kasper; Krüger, Johanna; Soppela, Helmi; Hartikainen, Päivi; Haapasalo, Annakaisa; Remes, Anne M.; Solje, Eino. 2023. Journal of Alzheimer's disease. 95: 677-685 -
Traumatic Brain Injury Associates with an Earlier Onset in Sporadic Frontotemporal Dementia
Soppela, Helmi; Krüger, Johanna; Hartikainen, Päivi; Koivisto, Anne; Haapasalo, Annakaisa; Borroni, Barbara; Remes, Anne M.; Katisko, Kasper; Solje, Eino. 2023. Journal of Alzheimer's disease. 91: 225-232 -
Genome-wide meta-analysis for Alzheimer’s disease cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers
Jansen, Iris E.; van der Lee, Sven J.; Gomez-Fonseca, Duber; de Rojas, Itziar; Dalmasso, Maria Carolina; Grenier-Boley, Benjamin; Zettergren, Anna; Mishra, Aniket; Ali, Muhammad; Andrade, Victor; Bellenguez, Céline; Kleineidam, Luca; Küçükali, Fahri; Sung, Yun Ju; Tesí, Niccolo; Vromen, Ellen M.; Wightman, Douglas P.; Alcolea, Daniel; Alegret, Montserrat; Alvarez, Ignacio; Amouyel, Philippe; Athanasiu, Lavinia; Bahrami, Shahram; Bailly, Henri; Belbin, Olivia; Bergh, Sverre; Bertram, Lars; Biesse. 2022. Acta neuropathologica. 144: 821-842 -
Modifiable potential risk factors in familial and sporadic frontotemporal dementia
Soppela, Helmi; Katisko, Kasper; Gadola, Yasmine; Krüger, Johanna; Hartikainen, Päivi; Alberici Antonella; Benussi, Alberto; Koivisto,Anne; Haapasalo, Annakaisa; Remes, Anne M; Borroni, Barbara; Solje, Eino. 2022. Annals of clinical and translational neurology. 9: 1195-1205 -
New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
Bellenguez, Céline; Küçükali, Fahri; Jansen, Iris E.; Kleineidam, Luca; Moreno-Grau, Sonia; Amin, Najaf; Naj, Adam C.; Campos-Martin, Rafael; Grenier-Boley, Benjamin; Andrade, Victor; Holmans, Peter A.; Boland, Anne; Damotte, Vincent; van der Lee, Sven J.; Costa, Marcos R.; Kuulasmaa, Teemu; Yang, Qiong; de Rojas, Itziar; Bis, Joshua C.; Yaqub, Amber; Prokic, Ivana; Chapuis, Julien; Ahmad, Shahzad; Giedraitis, Vilmantas; Aarsland, Dag; Garcia-Gonzalez, Pablo; Abdelnour, Carla; Alarcón-Martín, Em. 2022. Nature genetics. 54: 412-436 -
Patient-derived skin fibroblasts as a model to study frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Haapasalo, Annakaisa; Hoffmann, Dorit. 2022. Neural regeneration research. 17: 2669-2671 -
Serum total TDP-43 levels are decreased in frontotemporal dementia patients with C9orf72 repeat expansion or concomitant motoneuron disease phenotype
Katisko, Kasper; Huber, Nadine; Kokkola, Tarja; Hartikainen, Päivi; Krüger, Johanna; Heikkinen, Anna-Leena; Paananen, Veera; Leinonen, Ville; Korhonen, Ville E.; Helisalmi, Seppo; Herukka, Sanna-Kaisa; Cantoni, Valentina; Gadola, Yasmine; Archetti, Silvana; Remes, Anne M.; Haapasalo, Annakaisa; Borroni, Barbara; Solje, Eino. 2022. Alzheimer's research and therapy. 14: . 151 -
A Novel Genetic Marker for the C9orf72 Repeat Expansion in the Finnish Population
Rostalski, H; Korhonen, V; Kuulasmaa, T; Solje, E; Krüger, J; Gen, F; Kaivola, K; Eide, PK; Lambert, JC; Julkunen, V; Tienari, PJ; Remes, AM; Leinonen, V; Hiltunen, M; Haapasalo, A. 2021. Journal of Alzheimer's disease. 83: 1325-1332