WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genomind, LLC, a neuropsychiatric personalized medicine company, recently announced the addition of a new member to its leading Scientific Advisory Board.

Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D., is the director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit at the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease in Boston. He is also a professor of neurology and holder of the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Neurology and Mental Retardation at Harvard University.

Dr. Tanzi is an internationally respected researcher focusing on the molecular and genetic factors of neurological diseases, with significant interest in Alzheimer's disease. For the last 30 years, he has been dedicated to gene research on neurodegenerative disease and co-discovered the three genes that cause early-onset familial Alzheimer's.

Dr. Tanzi is also responsible for co-discovering genes that trigger Huntington's disease, Wilson's disease, Autism, and other neurological disorders. He is the head of the Alzheimer's Genome Project, a research project of the Cure Alzheimer's Fund, which identified four new related genes - a finding that was named one of the Top Ten Medical Breakthroughs of 2008 by Time magazine. He is the co-author of the book Decoding Darkness: The Search for the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer's Disease, and has co-authored more than 340 articles, making him one of the top ten most cited researchers on Alzheimer's. Dr. Tanzi has been honored with a significant number of awards for his work, which include the Metropolitan Life Foundation Award and The Potamkin Prize.

Dr. Tanzi received his BS from the University of Rochester with a double major in microbiology and history and his Ph.D. in neurobiology from Harvard University.

"It is an honor to welcome Dr. Tanzi to our Scientific Advisory Board," said Genomind Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Jay Lombard. "He is recognized by his peers as the preeminent expert internationally on the genetic basis of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. He has dedicated his career to investigating the molecular and genetic causes of Alzheimer's disease, and his discovery of all three genes causing early-onset familial AD is groundbreaking for patients. His discoveries give us hope that there will be more sophisticated ways to develop preventive strategies when diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's disease."

"I am looking forward to working with the Genomind Scientific Advisory Board and the impressive team already in place," said Dr. Tanzi. "Genomind's philosophy of improving patient lives through neurological research aligns perfectly with my research and beliefs, and I hope my past and future findings will help them bring the findings of recent scientific research into real-world use."

Dr. Tanzi joins a distinguished group of thought leaders on the Scientific Advisory Board, all known for their work at the forefront of psychiatric and neurologic research. Board members include Scott T. Aaronson, MD; P. Murali Doraiswamy, MD; Maurizio Fava, MD; Allan I. Levey, MD, PhD; Anil Malhotra, MD; Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc; and Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD.

About Genomind

Genomind is a personalized medicine company comprised of innovative researchers and expert leaders in psychiatry and neurology. Genomind is committed to discovery of the underlying causes of neuropsychiatric disorders and supports the development of personalized medicine that improves patients' lives. Genomind was founded by Ronald I. Dozoretz, MD, a psychiatrist who has devoted his career to improving mental health. Jay Lombard, DO, a neurologist and co-founder of Genomind, is a critically acclaimed author and nationally recognized thought leader in neuropsychiatry practice and research. Learn more at http://www.genomind.com.

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Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D. Joins Genomind's Scientific Advisory Board

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