About

Dr. David Beversdorf is a practicing neurologist who specializes in neurology and psychiatry. In his memory disorders clinic, he treats patients with disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Beversdorf aims to understand approaches that will decrease the risk of developing the disease. He performs neuropsychological testing, which is an in-depth assessment of skills and abilities linked to brain function. Dr. Beversdorf also sees children and adult patients at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Education & Training

Medical School

Indiana University School of Medicine-Indianapolis

Internship

Internal Medicine

  • IU Health Methodist Hospital

Residency

Neurology

  • Dartmouth Medical School

Fellowship

Psychology, Cognitive & Behavioral

  • University of Florida College of Medicine

Boards

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Commercial Relationships and Collaborations

This faculty member or a member of his or her immediate family has a working relationship, such as providing consulting, research, or educational services, with the companies listed below. These relationships have been reported to the University of Missouri and, if appropriate, plans have been established to address potential conflicts. The following relationships were reported as of July 2020.

  • YAMO Pharmaceuticals
  • Quadrant Biosciences
  • Stalicla
  • Impel Neuropharm
  • Best Doctors

Insurances

MU Health Care participates with most major managed care organizations. To find out whether MU Health Care is a participating provider in your insurance plan or network, or for information on co-payments and deductibles, please contact your insurance carrier directly.

In the News

Academic Information

Professor of Neurology
Professor of Psychology
Professor of Radiology
William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology

Research Profile

Beversdorf is working to determine possible causes of autism. He led a team of researchers in examining in utero stress, genetic markers, fatty acid profile and other prenatal factors in families of children with autism and families of children without autism. They discovered connections between prenatal stress, genetics, health and nutrition, and the predisposition for autism.  Beversdorf is also using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to understand the role of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline in the treatment of autism, as well as effects of stress on the brain.

In addition, Beversdorf is striving to make life easier for those with autism and neurological dysfunctions. He discovered that propranolol, a drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure and anxiety, could improve social functioning, language abilities and working memory in people with autism. He is now leading a team investigating whether elderberry juice, known for its anti-inflammatory effects, could improve cognition and delay progression of dementia in older adults.

Dr. David Beversdorf is a professor and the William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in radiology and neurology in the School of Medicine and psychological sciences in the College of Arts and Science. He is also a researcher at MU’s Brain Imaging Center and the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. His research has been funded by National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Department of Defense, the Stallone Fund and the National Alliance for Autism Research.

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Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory

Research Interests

  • Autism
  • Dementia (Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease)
  • Cognitive effects of stress
  • The cognitive neuroscience of problem-solving ability
  • Functional neuroimaging
  • Pharmacological modulation of cognition
  • Mild cognitive impairment

Areas of Expertise

  • Autism
  • Dementia
  • Cognitive effects of stress
  • The cognitive neuroscience of problem-solving ability
  • Pharmacological modulation of cognition
  • Neuropsychopharmacology with particular expertise in the noradrenergic system
  • Mild cognitive impairment

Publications

For the most updated list of Dr. Beversdorf's publications, view his PubMed profile.

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