Biographical summary
Björn Oskarsson, M.D., is a consultant and Associate Professor of the Department of Neurology at Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida. He directs the ALS Center of Excellence. His clinical focus includes:
- Diagnosis of ALS and other Motor Neuron Diseases.
- Treatment of ALS and other Motor Neuron Diseases.
- Providing personalized medicine to improve patient outcomes
In addition to his clinical activities, Dr. Oskarsson leads multiple research studies to understand and find a cure for ALS. His cutting-edge research is done in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic Neuroscience department and focuses on the basic principles of motor nerve degeneration and trying new treatments to slow, stop or even reverse this process. He has authored more than 100 high-impact scientific journal articles, chapters, abstracts and book chapters.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Interests
- Practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of ALS. (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
- Research focuses on trialing new and better treatments for ALS. This has included stem cell therapies, gene modifying therapies and small molecules.
- Major research accomplishments include:
- Finding effective treatments for muscle cramps in ALS
- Contributing to the 1st approved treatment of genetic ALS
- Improving the understanding of how TDP43 dysfunction leads to ALS
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2007
Certificate - Clinical Science - Training in epidemiology, evidence-based health care, outcomes research, clinical trials, and translational research topicsUniversity of Colorado Denver
- 2006
Fellow - NeuromuscularUniversity of Colorado Denver
- 2004
Residency - NeurologyUniversity of Colorado Denver
- 2001
Internship - MedicineUniversity of Colorado Denver
- 2000
Residency - NeurologyLund University Hospital
- 1999
Visiting Scholar - Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials in the evaluation of radiculopathy. Advisors: M. Chang, E. Yuen & D. Farrell, University of Washington Medical Center, Department of NeurologyUniversity of Washington Medical Center
- 1999
MDLund University School of Medicine
- 1997
Research Scholar - Adsorption and desorption of 125I-NGF to and from synthetic filaments. Advisors: M. Kanje, Lund University Department of Animal Physiology, & G. Lundborg, Lund University School of Medicine, Department of Hand Surgery, Lund, SwedenLund University
- 1996
Research Assistant - Bioartificial nerve grafts with NGF. Advisor: G. Lundborg, Lund University School of Medicine, Department of Hand SurgeryLund University School of Medicine
- 1995
Medical SchoolUniversity of Gothenburg School of Medicine
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2015
Clinical PathologyUnited Council of Neurologic Subspecialities
- 2008
Electrodiagnostic MedicineAmerican Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
- 2008
Neuromuscular MedicineAmerican Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- 2007
NeurologyAmerican Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Awards and honors
- 2024
Bronze Award in the 2024 National Health Information Awards competitionNational Health Information Awards
- 2015
Dean’s Award for Community EngagementUniversity of California Davis
- 2014
Dean’s Team of Clinical Excellence Award – MDA Clinic Co-DirectorUniversity of California Davis
- 2014
Center of Excellence – ALS Clinic DirectorALS Association
- 2014
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition – Multidisciplinary ALS ClinicUS Congress
- 2012
K12 Scholar, Mentored Career Development AwardNational Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NIH/NCATS), National Institutes of Health
- 2011
Dean’s Team of Clinical Excellence Award – ALS Clinic DirectorUniversity of California Davis
- 2006
IFCN FellowshipInternational Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
- 2005
Travel Grant for attendance of the National MDA Clinic Directors’ ConferenceMuscular Dystrophy Association
- 2004
Junior Member Recognition AwardAmerican Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine
Professional memberships
- 2022 - 2024
Committee MemberNEALS (North Eastern ALS Consortium)
- 2022 - present
Member and ReviewerMayo Clinic Florida Neuroscience Clinical Research Committee
- 2020
Grant Reviewer - Clinical ScienceDepartment of Defense
- 2020 - present
Member comitee on Time to diagnosisNational ALS Association
- 2020 - 2022
MemberCenter for Individualized Medicine Tapestry Program Executive Committee
- 2017 - present
ConsultantBiogen Idec
- 2017 - present
ConsultantFlexpharma Inc
- 2017 - present
Lead InvestigatorFlexpharma Inc
- 2017
OrganizerWestern ALS Study Group Meeting
- 2017
OrganizerALSA Hope and Health Symposium
- 2017
Advisory Board MemberBiogen, Spinraza
- 2016 - present
Fellow MemberAmerican Academy of Neurology
- 2016 - 2020
MemberMedical Advisory Council, ALS Association
- 2016
ChairDiagnosis to Death, and New Hope, ALS Association
- 2016
Organizing MemberThe ALS Research Symposium "Ask The Experts", ALS Association
- 2015 - 2016
SpeakerGrifols
- 2015 - present
MemberBenefit/Risk Working Group, ALS Guidance for Industry Committee, Food and Drug Administration
- 2015 - present
MemberSymptomatic Treatment Trials Group, ALS Clinical Trials GuidelineCommittee, World Federation of Neurology
- 2014 - 2016
Co-ChairNeurology Update for the Primary Care Physician, University of California Davis
- 2013 - 2016
Co-ChairBenchmarking Committee, Neurology Department, University of California Davis
- 2012
MemberWymer proposal, Neuro-NEXT Protocol Working Group, National Institutes of Health
- 2011 - 2023
SecretaryWestern ALS Study Group
- 2011 - 2013
Founder and ChairNeurology Update for the Primary Care Physician, University of California Davis
- 2011
SpeakerAvanir Pharmaceuticals
- 2011
Course DirectorSharing the Journey, Patient conference, Muscular Dystrophy Association
- 2010
MemberNational Advisory Board, Avanir Pharmaceuticals
- 2010
Grant ReviewerMuscular Dystrophy Association
- 2010 - present
MemberGreater Sacramento ALS Association
- 2009 - 2013
Junior Board MemberALS Research Group
- 2009 - 2012
Board MemberCalifornia ALS Clinical Committee
- 2008 - 2012
MemberGroup on Motor Neuron Diseases, World Federation of Neurology Research
- 2008 - present
MemberALS Research Group
- 2007
ReviewerMedical Policy and Technology Assessment Committee, WellPoint
- 2007 - present
MemberNorth Eastern ALS Study Group
- 2006 - present
MemberWestern ALS Study Group
- 2003 - present
MemberAmerican Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine
- 2001 - present
MemberAmerican Academy of Neurology
Publications
Research activities