John K. Fink, M.D.

Title and department:

Professor, Department of Neurology
Medical School
University of Michigan
Research Scientist,
Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor
Healthcare System, Geriatric
Research, Education and Clinical Center

Campus Address:

3104 BSRB
109 Zina Pitcher Place
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200

Phone: (734) 936-3087

Email address: jkfink@umich.edu

Research Interests

Our laboratory investigates nerve degeneration in the brain and spinal cord that occurs with age and with degenerative neurologic disorders. We use molecular genetic methods to genetically map and positionally clone genes responsible for degenerative neurologic diseases; study the functions of these genes; and to create animal models in which to study the pathophysiology and develop treatments for these conditions.
Recently, for example, we demonstrated that SPG3A/atlastin gene mutations and SPG6/ NIPA1 gene mutations cause two forms of the inherited spinal cord disorder, hereditary spastic paraplegia. Animal models of HSP are in development through gene targeting of HSP genes.

Recent Publications

Zhao X, Alvarado, D, Rainier S, Lemons R, Hedera P, Weber C, Tukel T, Apakl M, Heiman-Patterson T, Ming L, Bui M, Fink JK. Mutations in a novel GTPase cause autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia. Nature Genetics, 2001;29:326-331.

Rainier S, Chai J-H, Tokarz D, Nicholls RD, Fink JK. NIPA1 gene mutations cause autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG6). Am J Hum Genet 2003;73:967-971.

Hedera P, Alvarado A, Beydoun A, Fink JK. Novel mental retardation-epilepsy syndrome linked to Xp21.1-p11.4. Annals of Neurology, 2002;51:45-50

Hedera P, Rainier S, Alvarado D, Zhao X, Williamson J, Otterud B, Leppert M, Fink, JK. Novel locus for autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia on chromosome 8q. Am J Hum Genet, 1999;64:563-569.

Fink JK, Heiman-Patterson T. et al. Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia: Advances in Genetic Research Neurology, 1996;46:1507-1514.

Fink JK, Rainier S, Wilkowski J, Jones SM, Kume A, Hedera P, Albin R, Mathay J, Girbach L, Varvil T, Otterud B, Leppert M. Paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis: tight linkage to chromosome 2q. Am J Hum Genet, 1996;59:140-145.

Fink JK, Wu C-T B, Jones SM, Sharp GB, et al. Autosomal dominant, familial spastic paraplegia: tight linkage to chromosome 15q. Am J Hum Genet 1995;56:188-192.

Fink JK. The Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias: Nine Genes and Counting. Arch Neurol: 2003;60:1045-1049

Fink JK. Hereditary spastic paraplegia. Emery and Rimoin's Principles and Practice of Medical Genetics, fourth edition, 2001. Rimoin DL, Pyeritz RE, Connor JM, Korf BR, eds. London: Churchill Livingston. ISBN 0-443-06434-2; Chapter 116, 3124-3145, 2001.

Fink, JK. Progressive spastic paraparesis: hereditary spastic paraplegia and it's relation to primary and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Seminars in Neurology, 2001; 21:199-208.

Brief Biography

Dr. John K. Fink received his undergraduate degree (B.S., Biology) from the University of Cincinnati and his M.D. degree from the Medical College of Ohio. Following internship (Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN), Dr. Fink completed neurology residency at the University of Virginia. Subsequently, he trained in Developmental and Metabolic Neurology and Medical Genetics at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Fink is board certified in Neurology and Medical Genetics (Clinical Genetics). Dr. Fink is Professor, University of Michigan Department of Neurology; and Physician Scientist, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He directs the Neurogenetic Disorders Program within the Department of Neurology. This Program provides care and evaluation for individuals and families with inherited and degenerative neurologic disorders; and clinical and molecular laboratory training for physicians and scientists studying these disorders. Dr. Fink directs basic science laboratory research directed towards identifying genes and mechanisms responsible for age-dependent neurologic degeneration; and to developing treatments for these conditions.

Links to laboratory or personal web pages:

http://www.med.umich.edu/hsp