Shaikh, Aasef, MD, PhD

Dr. Aasef Shaikh is a neurologist, neuroscientist, and movement disorders specialist recognized internationally for his application of control-systems engineering to complex disorders of the vestibular system, eye movements, head movements, gait, and balance.

His research has produced paradigm-shifting contributions to the understanding of Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor, cerebellar disorders, and the vestibulo-ocular reflex. The overarching goal is to discover novel network connections and leverage their influence to modulate the motor circuits artificially for the treatment of intractable neurological conditions.

Dr. Shaikh is also an active leader in the global neurology community, serving as co-chair of the International Movement Disorders Society Tremor Study Group, board member of the Society for Research in Cerebellum and Ataxia, and head of the task force for vestibular and ocular motor dysfunction in cerebellar disorders. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Dystonia and section editor of The Cerebellum, and holds the Penni and Stephen Weinberg Chair in Brain Health at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.

RESEARCH PROGRAMS

• Control-systems modeling of movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor)
• Pathophysiology of eye movements, gaze holding, vergence, and strabismus in neurological disease
• Vestibulo-ocular reflex physiology and translational neurology
• Physiology of head movements and cervical dystonia
• Deep brain stimulation effects on motor and vestibular circuits

MAJOR PROJECTS & FUNDING

• VA CSR&D Merit Review, vestibular motion perception and subthalamic DBS in Parkinson’s disease; resulted in 11 peer-reviewed publications
• Vestibular heading perception in Parkinson’s disease — motion platform studies using immersive virtual reality
• Cervical dystonia and tremor — proprioceptive modulation of pallidal network connectivity
• Exercise-induced modulation of subthalamic nucleus activity in Parkinson’s disease — electrophysiological studies

HONORS & RECOGNITION

• • 2020 Jon Stolk Award for Excellence in Movement Disorders, American Academy of Neurology
  • 2018 American Academy of Neurology Career Award, American Academy of Neurology
  • 2018 George C. Cotzias Memorial Fellowship, American Parkinson’s Disease Association
  • 2016 Grass Foundation American Neurological Association Award in Neuroscience
  • 2013 Alliance Founders Award, American Academy of Neurology