A tribute to Prof. Nir Giladi
Prof. Nir Giladi passed away unexpectedly on December 10, 2024; he was 68. He was, first and foremost, a devoted family man, loving husband, father, and grandfather who cherished his weekly visits with his grandchildren. He was also a beloved friend and colleague to many whose lives he enriched in countless ways. Dr. Giladi was an uncommon mentor and leader whose expertise, humanity, and compassion left a profound impression on everyone whose lives he touched.
Professor Giladi received his MD degree from Ben Gurion University Beer-Sheeba, Israel in 1984, completed his neurology residency at Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine (1989), and Fellowship in Movement Disorders at Columbia University, New York under Dr. Stanley Fahn (1989-1991). He embarked on several visiting professorships and sabbaticals around the world throughout his career creating numerous collaborations. Among the many positions that he held were the Director of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Sackler School of Medicine (2014), Co-founder and Co-Director of The Aufzien Center for Treatment & Prevention of Parkinson’s disease (2019), and Associate Dean of Medicine (2021) at Tel Aviv University. In 2024, he was appointed the Medical Professions Ombudsman for the Ministry of Health, taking on a critical role as a patient advocate.
Dr. Giladi was a distinguished clinician who was admired and respected by his patients and colleagues and was recognized as one of Israel’s finest physicians. He championed multidisciplinary care for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) which led to an integrated, patient-centered, personalized approach, a model now recognized worldwide as a standard of excellence.
As a researcher, Prof. Giladi was an innovator who revolutionized our understanding and treatment of PD. His work impacted the care of patients with PD across the globe. One of his greatest and most enduring influences was in the research and care freezing of gait (FOG), a debilitating feature of PD. It was during his fellowship that he began to investigate this perplexing, disabling problem, originally referred to as “motor blocks” and, later, freezing of gait. He published a large study on the clinical aspects of FOG which continues to be a frequently cited reference. Among his many accomplishments in this area, Dr. Giladi developed and validated the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire, which remains a cornerstone in clinical assessment, he initiated studies of the mechanisms of FOG, leading to novel interventions that have significantly improved mobility and quality of life for affected patients, and he elucidated the important role played by non-motor features in the development of FOG. As part of this line of groundbreaking research, he demonstrated how mental and cognitive health directly influences gait and balance, in general, and freezing of gait, in particular. This broadened research directions and emphasized the importance of comprehensive therapies that address both physical and cognitive challenges. Recognizing the need to bring together experts from across the globe to tackle this troublesome problem, Prof. Giladi organized international conferences devoted to FOG in Kyoto (2006), Washington DC (2010), the Dead Sea (2014), Leuven (2019) and Jerusalem (2023). The success of these conferences and the subsequent establishment of the International Consortium for Freezing of Gait (ICFOG) can be attributed to Prof. Giladi’s ability to engage and motivate people across multiple disciplines.
In the field of PD genetics, Prof. Giladi also made impactful contributions. He was one of the first researchers exploring the role of the LRRK2 and GBA1 genes, particularly among Ashkenazi Jewish populations. He established a large international cohort that explored the potential identification of prodromal PD in non-manifesting mutation carriers. This not only shed light on the hereditary aspects of PD but also laid the groundwork for new lines of research including early detection and personalized interventions for at-risk individuals.
His research spanned many other diverse topics, resulting in ~400 peer-reviewed publications and several books. In 2024, Prof. Giladi published “Time to Prevent Parkinson’s Disease”. It has been described as “a beacon of hope and a clarion call for proactive action against PD. This book is a tapestry, intricately woven with scientific knowledge, clinical insights, and the unique genetic narrative of the Ashkenazi Jewish community. It’s a journey through the past, present, and future of PD, offering a holistic view of the disease and its management”. The book and its vision are a natural result of Prof. Giladi’s outlook, expertise, and dream of preventing PD.
Prof. Giladi was a key figure in the global neurology community, holding leadership positions in the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS), the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), and the European Academy of Neurology (EAN). As a Fellow of the AAN and EAN, he collaborated with international peers, advancing research, refining clinical guidelines, and shaping the future of neurology. As a result, he was a sought-after speaker at conferences and symposia around the world.
Prof. Nir Giladi’s life was defined by his passion, intellect, curiosity, and humanity. He profoundly impacted students, patients, colleagues, and many others. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will endure, continuing to inspire and guide the medical and scientific communities while bringing hope and healing to countless lives.
