
In 2008, Dr. Weisman founded the Clinical Trial Center at Abington Neurological Associates. While serving as the site’s director, Dr. Weisman has conducted numerous clinical trials in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, working with nearly every major sponsor and investigation to develop disease modifying drugs in Alzheimer’s disease. Therapeutic mechanisms include monoclonal antibodies against amyloid and tau, beta secretase inhibitors and modulators, anti-fibrillization/anti-oligermerization agents, polytherapy, and a variety of symptomatic treatments. Under Dr. Weisman’s direction, the ANA Clinical Trial Center participated in the first positive later stage trial supporting a disease modifying signal in early Alzheimer’s disease, which became lecanemab. The site also helped advance the drug that became donanemab. After approval, Dr. Weisman was the first to dose these medications in the state of Pennsylvania. Other notable advances include trials in ocrelizumab and ofatumumab in MS; levodopa oral inhalation powder in PD; and partnering with Dr. Hana Choe to show the value of endovascular therapy in acute stroke.
Dr. Weisman’s research focuses on clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and other dementias. The site also has helped develop and test biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease and advance novel treatments in other conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and pain. Dr. Weisman lectures on dementia and is a proponent of an early diagnosis and better therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. He invented, developed, and validated the Philadelphia Cognitive Exam, a computerized cognitive test and expert screening system to diagnose and detect dementia.
Dr. Weisman has devoted his research career towards advancing new therapies in Alzheimer’s disease and devotes his clinical time to memory and cognitive problems. The trial center also advances treatments in stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. He has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer for fighting on behalf of his patients. Dr. Weisman has published numerous scientific articles and abstracts. In the popular press, published pieces include Seed Magazine on Buddhism, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and football, and the mind. His technical scientific papers appear in the journals Neurology, Archives of Neurology, Stroke and Seminars in Neurology. His Alzheimer trial work collaborations have been published in Neurology, New England Journal of Medicine, and Archives of Neurology.
Bio: David Weisman, M.D., received a BA in philosophy from Franklin and Marshall College, then an MD from Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. After an internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco, he completed neurology residency at Yale, where he served as Chief resident. He then went to University California, San Diego for fellowship training in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.