Lindsay Burns

A neuroscientist, biotechnology leader, drug developer, and Olympic medalist. Her career spans basic research in neurodegenerative disease, drug discovery and clinical testing.

Dr. Burns is an independent consultant in all areas of neuroscience drug development.

About

Lindsay Burns, PhD

Lindsay has built a life at the intersection of scientific rigor, persistence and high performance.

Raised in Montana on a fourth-generation ranch, she went on to study psychobiology at Harvard and earn a PhD in neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, UK. She is an author on 40 peer-reviewed publications and a named inventor on 21 U.S. patents. For over ten years, Lindsay reviewed grant applications for the National Institute on Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health.

Lindsay has taken novel scientific ideas from discovery through clinical development, including advancing a novel small molecule (simufilam) from target discovery to Phase 3 clinical testing.

For nearly 20 years, she trained under legendary drug developer Nadav Friedmann, PhD, MD. Her biotechnology experience spans neuropharmacology, analgesia, oncology and Alzheimer’s disease.

Earlier, Lindsay spent eight years on the U.S. National Rowing Team, earning four World Championship medals and an Olympic silver medal. She continues to bring a highly competitive drive to science, consulting, and the challenges she chooses to pursue.

From Discovery to Development

Turning complex neuroscience into therapeutic programs, from novel drug targets and early discovery through advanced clinical trials.

From Discovery to Development

Turning complex neuroscience into therapeutic programs, from novel drug targets and early discovery through advanced clinical trials.

Question the Expected

Following the evidence, challenging assumptions, and staying persistent when difficult scientific questions demand unconventional thinking.

Question the Expected

Following the evidence, challenging assumptions, and staying persistent when difficult scientific questions demand unconventional thinking.

Beyond Neuroscience

An Olympic medalist who still races competitively and a dedicated ceramic artist creating wheel-thrown porcelain.

Beyond Neuroscience

An Olympic medalist who still races competitively and a dedicated ceramic artist creating wheel-thrown porcelain.

BLOGS

Expert insights

Journal

Publications

Explore Lindsay Burns' published research and scholarly contributions through her ORCID public record, which provides a comprehensive and up-to-date list of her peer-reviewed publications.

Articles

Latest Reads

Filamin A (FLNA) plays a key role in cell structure and signaling, with abnormal phosphorylation linked to cancer progression, inflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease. Targeting these changes may offer new therapeutic opportunities.

Reports findings from two Phase 3 trials evaluating simufilam in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. While the treatment was safe and well tolerated, the trials did not meet their primary or secondary endpoints.

Examines simufilam’s proposed mechanism in Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on its effects on abnormal filamin A–receptor interactions. Findings suggest it may reduce amyloid-related signaling and inflammatory activity linked to AD.

Reducing mTOR’s basal overactivity and its resistance to insulin represents another mechanism of simufilam to counteract aging and AD pathology. Simufilam is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for AD dementia.

Explores the challenges of targeting α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in Alzheimer’s disease and the emergence of simufilam as a potential alternative. Highlights its approach to disrupting toxic amyloid signaling and its progression into Phase 3 clinical trials.

Explores altered filamin A (FLNA) as a potential therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease. Highlights its role in amyloid-driven tau pathology and neuroinflammation, as well as the potential of PTI-125 to disrupt these processes.

Get In Touch

For consulting inquiries around grant writing, help with manuscripts, or early development advice, please send a message describing your project.

Lindsay Burns, PhD

Lindsay Burns

About

Lindsay Burns, PhD

From Discovery to Development

From Discovery to Development

Question the Expected

Question the Expected

Beyond Neuroscience

Beyond Neuroscience

BLOGS

Expert insights

Journal

Publications

Articles

Latest Reads

Filamin A Phosphorylation at S2152: a molecular switch fueling cancer and neurodegeneration

Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trials of Simufilam in Mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s Disease

Simufilam Reverses Aberrant Receptor Interactions of Filamin A in Alzheimer’s Disease

Simufilam Suppresses Overactive mTOR and Restores its Sensitivity to Insulin in Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Lymphocytes

Targeting α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and Their Protein Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development

Altered filamin A enables amyloid beta-induced tau hyperphosphorylation and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease

Get In Touch