Joseph J. Pleen, D.O., M.S.

Professional Background

Joseph J. Pleen, D.O., M.S., is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center and a neurology specialist at The University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Pleen earned his D.O. at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Missouri. He completed his residency in neurology and a fellowship in cognitive and behavioral neurology at the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry at the University of Evansville as well as a Master of Science in Biology, at Angelo State University, in San Angelo, Texas. He is board certified in neurology.

• BS, Biology, University of Evansville, Evansville, IN
• BS, Chemistry, University of Evansville, Evansville, Indiana
• MS, Biology, Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas
• DO, Medicine, Kansas City University , Kansas City, Missouri
• Internship, Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
• Residency, Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City , Kansas
• Clinical Fellowship, Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology (Dementia), University Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology (Dementia), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

• Kansas Medical License, Kansas Board of Healing Arts
• Missouri Medical License, Missouri Division of Professional Registration
• Neurology Board Certification, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

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Research

Overview

Dr. Pleen’s research involves understanding the interaction of mitochondrial quality control, cellular stress, the amyloid precursor protein, and normal aging. He worked with collaborators to successfully obtain an Alzheimer’s Association Clinician Scientist Fellowship Grant which he received in 2022.

• SHIMMER COG1201, National Institute on Aging (NIA)

• Pleen, Joseph, Camerucci, Emanuele , Al-Sabbagh, Mohammed ., Q. , Cunningham, Katelyn. 2024. Blood-Based Biomarkers in Alzheimer Disease: Clinical Implementation and Limitations. Practical Neurology, 23 (2), 27-39. https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2024-mar/blood-based-biomarkers-in-alzheimer-disease-clinical-implementation-and-limitations
• Eaton, James ., E, Pleen, Joseph, Swerdlow, Russell., H. 2024. Section 2: Cerebral Cortex and Neurocognitive Disorders, 7 (3)
• Wang, Xiaowan, Berkowicz, Alexandra, King, Kirsten, Menta, Blaise, Gabrielli, Alexander, Lesya., Novikova, Troutwine, Benjamin, Pleen, Joseph, Wilkins, Heather, Swerdlow, Russell . 2022. Pharmacologic enrichment of exosome yields and mitochondrial cargo. Mitochondrion, 64 (May 2022), 136-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mito.2022.04.001
• Kaufman, Carolyn., S, Honea, Robyn., A, Pleen, Joseph, Lepping, Rebecca., J, Watts, Amber, Morris, Jill., K, Billinger, Sandra., A, Burns, Jeffrey., M, Vidoni, Eric., D. 2021. Aerobic exercise improves hippocampal blood flow for hypertensive Apolipoprotein E4 carriers . The Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 41 (8), 2026 - 2037. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0271678X21990342