Deborah A. Hall, MD, PhD

Biography

Deborah Hall MD, PhD, is an adult neurologist and movement disorder specialist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She received her MD from Indiana University and her PhD from University of Colorado, where she completed residency and fellowship. She has training in genetics, epidemiology and human subjects research. She conducts research primarily in two areas. Her work in Parkinson's disease focuses on early interventions, such as neurotrophic factors and exercise, genetics and genomic causes of disease, and treatment for complications including falls. She also conducts research in the field of ataxia, specifically fragile X-associated disorders, by investigating epidemiology, clinical features of movement and balance, and interventions. She has been National Institutes of Health funded for the last ten years as a primary investigator and she received the Rush University Faculty Award for Research in 2014. She is the chair of the Rush Institutional Review Board, which reviews research studies at Rush. She has a busy clinical practice focused on movement disorders within the Department of Neurological Sciences at Rush. She is the director of the FXTAS Clinic at Rush and the Movement Disorder DNA Repository within the Section of Movement Disorders at Rush. In addition, she is clinical director of the neuroscience block for the first year medical students at Rush University.

Honors and Activities

Emerging Leaders Forum, American Academy of Neurology, 2014-15
Rush University Faculty Researcher of the Year, 2014
National Fragile X Foundation Hagerman Award for Groundbreaking Research in FXTAS, 2010
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award in Neurology, 2008
Clinical Science Outstanding PhD Student Award, University of Colorado, 2005
Clinical Science Program Innovations Award, University of Colorado, 2005
NIH Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers Recipient, 2003-10
American Academy of Neurology Clinical Research Training Fellowship, 2003-05

Publications

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Hall%20DA%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=26298472

Grants

Funding History of Peer-Reviewed Grants (Current)
R01 NS082416
NINDS
Adult Neurological Phenotypes of Fragile X Gray Zone Expansion
This is an epidemiologic and genetic study that will ascertain the prevalence of fragile X gray zone expansions in older community dwelling adults. Clinical data and autopsy findings of gene carriers will be examined as well.

R01 NS074343
NINDS
PI: Corcos D
Dose-PD
This is a study to determine the effective dose of aerobic endurance exercise for de novo patients with early Parkinson disease. Outcome measures will be standard Parkinson disease rating scales and measures of fitness.
Role: PI at Rush

R01 NS083054
NINDS
PI: Kalipada Pahan
RANTES and Eotaxin: New Players in PD Progression
The study is translational, with aims in the parkinsonian mouse, the parkinsonian monkey, and the parkinsonian human to determine the role of Rantes and Eotaxin in Parkinson disease.
Role: Co-Investigator

U24MD006941
NIMHD
PI: Tilley, B
RECRUIT: A Randomized Recruitment Intervention
This study is a randomized intervention designed to increase minority enrollment in STEADY-PD, an ongoing clinical trial in de novo PD investigating isradipine.
Role: Site PI

R01 HD082110
NICHD
PI: Mailick, M
FMR1 Premutation Phenotypes in Population-Based & Clinically Ascertained Samples
This study will characterize the FMR1 premutation phenotype in premutation carrier mothers of children with and without fragile X syndrome and controls. The consulting role is to perform blinded videotape evaluation of the FXTAS Motor Rating scale and to develop interrater reliability with the other rater.
Role: Consultant

U54 NS091859
NINDS
PI: Warren, S
Modifiers of Fragile X-Associated Disorders
The goal of this center is to use high throughput technologies to determine secondary genes that are associated with phenotypes in FXTAS, FXPOI, and fragile X syndrome.
Role: Consultant

Shapiro Foundation
Next Generation Sequencing in Parkinson Disease and Aging
PI: Hall D
This study will look at genes and gene expression associated with longevity and Parkinson's disease to determine if they have an impact on age of onset of PD using brain tissue samples.

Private Donation
PI: Hall D
Human Blood to Dopamine Neuron Project
This is a pilot project to create autologous dopamine neurons in PD patients that are clinical grade. It will be followed by a pre-clinical project testing safety.

Education