Longo to Oversee Neurology Department at Stanford.

STANFORD, Calif. -- Moving west will be both a homecoming and an opportunity for Frank Longo, MD, PhD, who will arrive Jan. 1, 2006, as the new chair of the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Longo is currently chair of neurology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He said he's leaving a strong program, but is excited by Stanford's commitment to neurology research, as exemplified by the recent creation of the Stanford Neuroscience Institute.

"When you look at programs nationally, the Neuroscience Institute stands out as unique," Longo said. He said he's looking forward to continuing to develop Stanford's strong programs in stroke and epilepsy and to building up other programs, such as the clinical aspects of multiple sclerosis.

Stanford's emphasis on translating basic science into clinical treatment was also a draw. "I'd like to further grow translational research in neuroscience at Stanford," Longo said.

Longo succeeds professor William Mobley, MD, PhD, who became the department chair in 1997. Mobley will continue to serve as director of the Stanford Neuroscience Institute.

A California native, Longo received his MD/PhD from the University of California-San Diego in 1981. He was later professor and vice chair of neurology at UC-San Francisco, until he left in 2001 for his position at UNC. In 1995 Longo became a Beeson Scholar for Aging Research.

"I am really thrilled by Dr. Longo's decision," said Philip Pizzo, MD, dean of the School of Medicine. "He will be wonderful addition to Stanford and a great leader."

While at UNC, Longo launched a program for prevention, detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, which he expanded to create a major regional center this year. He also led the formation of a program for treating Parkinson's disease using electrodes implanted deep in the brain, a technique called deep-brain stimulation. He developed a similar program while at UCSF and hopes to expand Stanford's existing work in this area.

Longo has an interest in one of Stanford's strengths -- stroke treatment. Under his leadership UNC researchers pioneered the use of a device to remove blood clots that cause stroke.

Longo will bring with him ongoing research in new drugs to prevent the degeneration that takes place in people with Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. Although none of his work relies on stem cells, Longo said that his research involves promoting new nerve growth in the brain--work that could be furthered by California's commitment to funding stem cell research.

Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical education and patient care at its three institutions -- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information, please visit the Web site of the medical center's Office of Communication & Public Affairs at http://mednews.stanford.edu.