Courtney Lane-Donovan, MD, PhD
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| Title(s) | Assistant Professor, Neurology |
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| School | School of Medicine |
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| Pronouns | She/Her/Hers |
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| vCard | Download vCard |
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| Title(s) | UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences |
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Biography
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA | SB | 06/2009 | Biological Engineering |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA | SB | 06/2009 | Biology |
| University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX | PhD | 06/2017 | Neuroscience |
| University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX | MD | 06/2017 | |
| UCSF, San Francisco, CA | | 06/2021 | Neurology Residency |
| UCSF, San Francisc, CA | | 06/2023 | Behavioral Neurology Fellowship |
| UCSF | 2024 | | Irene Perstein Award |
| UCSF | 2025 | | Excellence in Clinical Teaching |
| 2025
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| 2027 | Weill Neurohub Investigator |
Overview
Courtney Lane-Donovan, MD, PhD, is a physician-scientist dedicated to improving the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and frontotemporal dementia. As an assistant professor in the Division of the Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging within the Department of Neurology at UCSF and a Weill Neurohubexternal site (opens in a new window) Investigator, she combines her clinical care for patients with cognitive impairment and dementia with cutting-edge research focused on the biology of aging brain cells.
Dr. Lane-Donovan’s research investigates how changes in the lysosome—a vital cell organelle responsible for processing and recycling proteins—may contribute to the accumulation of protein aggregates that are characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases. Her work aims to investigate how lysosomal health and function decline with age, potentially rendering the brain more susceptible to these conditions. She is currently leading a two-part project focused on lysosomal changes in different brain cell types and regions, supported by the prestigious Irene Perstein Award. The award recognizes outstanding junior women scientists in the UCSF School of Medicine and will enable Dr. Lane-Donovan to advance her studies using innovative models to explore lysosomal function during aging.
Dr. Lane-Donovan’s path to neurology began during medical school, where she developed a deep interest in neuroscience and the link between aging and neurodegenerative diseases. While completing her MD/PhD at UT Southwestern, she conducted research on ApoE receptor signaling in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and identified the protective role of reelin, a key protein in brain development, against amyloid beta accumulation. She went on to complete her neurology residency at UCSF and continued as a postdoctoral researcher under the R25 program. She is hopeful her research will uncover new pathways to address the cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases and pave the way for improved treatments.
Research
Bibliographic
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Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication.
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Lysosomal protease-mediated APP degradation is pH-dependent, mutation-sensitive, and facilitates tau proteolysis. Mol Neurodegener Adv. 2026; 2(1):10.
Ackley C, Liau Z, Arya S, Antee T, Cheang E, Knudsen GM, Lane-Donovan C, Sampognaro PJ, Kao AW. PMID: 41675590; PMCID: PMC12886278.
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Prosaposin Is Cleaved Into Saposins by Multiple Cathepsins in a Progranulin-Regulated Fashion. J Neurochem. 2026 Jan; 170(1):e70357.
Hodul M, Lane-Donovan C, Cheang ES, Gao V, Sampognaro PJ, Mambou EA, Yang Z, Kao AW. PMID: 41572567; PMCID: PMC12828107.
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The lysosome and proteostatic stress at the intersection of pediatric neurological disorders and adult neurodegenerative diseases. Prog Neurobiol. 2025 Dec; 255:102854.
Lane-Donovan C, Paredes M, Kao AW. PMID: 41253210.
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Changes of a Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Associated With Lecanemab Therapy in a Patient With Alzheimer Disease. Neurol Clin Pract. 2025 Aug; 15(4):e200508.
Schwartz NU, Dietz CD, Prufer Araújo I, Villanueva-Meyer JE, Chiong W, Lane-Donovan C, Vandevrede L, Ljubenkov PA, Wang Y, Soleimani-Meigooni DN, La Joie R, Rojas JC. PMID: 40584633; PMCID: PMC12204771.
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Tau phosphorylation at Alzheimer's disease biomarker sites impairs its cleavage by lysosomal proteases. Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Jun; 21(6):e70320.
Lane-Donovan C, Smith AW, Saloner R, Miller BL, Casaletto KB, Kao AW. PMID: 40469052; PMCID: PMC12138277.
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2 Fields:
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HumansCells
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Linking Type and Extent of Head Trauma to Cavum Septum Pellucidum in Older Adults With and Without Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias. Neurology. 2024 Apr 09; 102(7):e209183.
Asken BM, Tanner JA, Vandevrede L, Apple A, Chapleau M, Gaynor LS, Lane-Donovan C, Lenio S, Yadollahikhales G, Lee S, Gontrum E, Knudtson M, Iaccarino L, La Joie R, Cobigo Y, Staffaroni AM, Casaletto KB, Gardner RC, Grinberg LT, Gorno-Tempini ML, Rosen HJ, Seeley WW, Miller BL, Kramer J, Rabinovici GD. PMID: 38489566; PMCID: PMC11033989.
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4 Fields:
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Humans
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Disentangling tau: One protein, many therapeutic approaches. Neurotherapeutics. 2024 Mar; 21(2):e00321.
Lane-Donovan C, Boxer AL. PMID: 38278659; PMCID: PMC10963923.
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13 Fields:
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Humans
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Tau pathology in neurodegenerative disease: disease mechanisms and therapeutic avenues. J Clin Invest. 2023 06 15; 133(12).
Samudra N, Lane-Donovan C, VandeVrede L, Boxer AL. PMID: 37317972; PMCID: PMC10266783.
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PubMed Mentions:
49 Fields:
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Humans
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Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection as a Rare Cause of Cerebral Mass Lesion and IRIS in a Patient With AIDS: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021 Nov; 8(11):ofab450.
Lane-Donovan C, Bainbridge E, Szumowski J, Kerkhoff AD, Peluso MJ. PMID: 35559128; PMCID: PMC9088507.
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2
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Reelin Regulates Neuronal Excitability through Striatal-Enriched Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (STEP61) and Calcium Permeable AMPARs in an NMDAR-Dependent Manner. J Neurosci. 2021 09 01; 41(35):7340-7349.
Durakoglugil MS, Wasser CR, Wong CH, Pohlkamp T, Xian X, Lane-Donovan C, Fritschle K, Naestle L, Herz J. PMID: 34290083; PMCID: PMC8412985.
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PubMed Mentions:
10 Fields:
Translation:
AnimalsCells
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Reversal of ApoE4-induced recycling block as a novel prevention approach for Alzheimer's disease. Elife. 2018 10 30; 7.
Xian X, Pohlkamp T, Durakoglugil MS, Wong CH, Beck JK, Lane-Donovan C, Plattner F, Herz J. PMID: 30375977; PMCID: PMC6261251.
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PubMed Mentions:
52 Fields:
Translation:
HumansAnimalsCells
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Building a better blood-brain barrier. Elife. 2017 10 10; 6.
Lane-Donovan C, Herz J. PMID: 28994392; PMCID: PMC5634780.
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2 Fields:
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Humans
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The ApoE receptors Vldlr and Apoer2 in central nervous system function and disease. J Lipid Res. 2017 06; 58(6):1036-1043.
Lane-Donovan C, Herz J. PMID: 28292942; PMCID: PMC5454520.
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55 Fields:
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HumansAnimalsCells
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ApoE, ApoE Receptors, and the Synapse in Alzheimer's Disease. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2017 04; 28(4):273-284.
Lane-Donovan C, Herz J. PMID: 28057414; PMCID: PMC5366078.
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PubMed Mentions:
90 Fields:
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HumansAnimalsCells
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NGP 555, a γ-Secretase Modulator, Lowers the Amyloid Biomarker, Aβ42, in Cerebrospinal Fluid while Preventing Alzheimer's Disease Cognitive Decline in Rodents. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2017 Jan; 3(1):65-73.
Kounnas MZ, Lane-Donovan C, Nowakowski DW, Herz J, Comer WT. PMID: 28497107; PMCID: PMC5421551.
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16
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Genetic Restoration of Plasma ApoE Improves Cognition and Partially Restores Synaptic Defects in ApoE-Deficient Mice. J Neurosci. 2016 09 28; 36(39):10141-50.
Lane-Donovan C, Wong WM, Durakoglugil MS, Wasser CR, Jiang S, Xian X, Herz J. PMID: 27683909; PMCID: PMC5039258.
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PubMed Mentions:
68 Fields:
Translation:
AnimalsCells
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Physiologic Reelin does not play a strong role in protection against acute stroke. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016 07; 36(7):1295-303.
Lane-Donovan C, Desai C, Pohlkamp T, Plautz EJ, Herz J, Stowe AM. PMID: 27146512; PMCID: PMC4929708.
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PubMed Mentions:
7 Fields:
Translation:
Animals
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High-Fat Diet Changes Hippocampal Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in a Genotype- and Carbohydrate-Dependent Manner in Mice. PLoS One. 2016; 11(2):e0148099.
Lane-Donovan C, Herz J. PMID: 26828652; PMCID: PMC4734705.
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PubMed Mentions:
12 Fields:
Translation:
Animals
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Reelin protects against amyloid β toxicity in vivo. Sci Signal. 2015 Jul 07; 8(384):ra67.
Lane-Donovan C, Philips GT, Wasser CR, Durakoglugil MS, Masiulis I, Upadhaya A, Pohlkamp T, Coskun C, Kotti T, Steller L, Hammer RE, Frotscher M, Bock HH, Herz J. PMID: 26152694; PMCID: PMC4652952.
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PubMed Mentions:
73 Fields:
Translation:
HumansAnimals
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Science Signaling
Podcast: 7 July 2015. Science Signaling. 2015 Jul 7; 8(384):pc17-pc17.
Lane-Donovan LC, Herz HJ, VanHook VA. .
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Lrp4 domains differentially regulate limb/brain development and synaptic plasticity. PLoS One. 2015; 10(2):e0116701.
Pohlkamp T, Durakoglugil M, Lane-Donovan C, Xian X, Johnson EB, Hammer RE, Herz J. PMID: 25688974; PMCID: PMC4331535.
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PubMed Mentions:
16 Fields:
Translation:
HumansAnimalsCells
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Differential splicing and glycosylation of Apoer2 alters synaptic plasticity and fear learning. Sci Signal. 2014 Nov 25; 7(353):ra113.
Wasser CR, Masiulis I, Durakoglugil MS, Lane-Donovan C, Xian X, Beffert U, Agarwala A, Hammer RE, Herz J. PMID: 25429077; PMCID: PMC4355955.
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PubMed Mentions:
32 Fields:
Translation:
AnimalsCells
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Is apolipoprotein e required for cognitive function in humans?: implications for Alzheimer drug development. JAMA Neurol. 2014 Oct; 71(10):1213-5.
Lane-Donovan C, Herz J. PMID: 25110920; PMCID: PMC4354854.
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PubMed Mentions:
6 Fields:
Translation:
Humans
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More than cholesterol transporters: lipoprotein receptors in CNS function and neurodegeneration. Neuron. 2014 Aug 20; 83(4):771-87.
Lane-Donovan C, Philips GT, Herz J. PMID: 25144875; PMCID: PMC4240629.
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PubMed Mentions:
88 Fields:
Translation:
HumansAnimalsCells
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Intermittent practice facilitates stable motor memories. J Neurosci. 2006 Nov 15; 26(46):11888-92.
Overduin SA, Richardson AG, Lane CE, Bizzi E, Press DZ. PMID: 17108162; PMCID: PMC6674870.
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29 Fields:
Translation:
Humans
This graph shows the total number of publications by year. To see the data as text,
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| Year | Publications |
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| 2006 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publications' journals and might not represent the specific topics of the publications.
Note that an individual publication can be assigned to more than one field. As a result, the publication counts in this graph might add up to more than the number of publications the person has written.
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This graph shows the number and percent of publications by field.
Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publications' journals and might not represent the specific topics of the publications.
Note that an individual publication can be assigned to more than one field. As a result, the publication counts in this graph might add up to more than the number of publications the person has written.
To see the data as text,
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