World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Award Badge
Best Scientists
2025

D-Index & Metrics

Best Scientists

D-Index
200
Citations
138423
World Ranking
300
National Ranking
199

Neuroscience

D-Index
203
Citations
140932
World Ranking
25
National Ranking
18

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2025 - Research.com Best Scientists Award
  • 2003 - Member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)

Overview

M. Flint Beal was affiliated with Cornell University in the United States. Their research focused primarily on biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology, as well as medicine. Within these broader disciplines, Beal contributed notably to molecular biology, neurology, cell biology, physiology, and pharmacology.

Their work concentrated on several key topics including Alzheimer's disease research and treatments, mitochondrial function and pathology, cholinesterase and neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease mechanisms and treatments, nerve injury and regeneration, botulinum toxin and related neurological disorders, and biotin and related studies.

Beal co-authored publications with several frequent collaborators such as Stéphane Fourcade, Agatha Schlüter, Montserrat Ruíz, Noel Y. Calingasan, and Isidró Ferrer. These collaborations often addressed complex neurological and biochemical processes.

The scientist published in various specialized journals, with frequent publication venues including:

  • Alzheimer s & Dementia
  • European Journal of Neuroscience
  • Brain Pathology
  • Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology
  • JMIR Formative Research

Some representative papers authored by M. Flint Beal include:

  • "The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis" (2022, Alzheimer s & Dementia)
  • "Characterization of a Parkinson's disease rat model using an upgraded paraquat exposure paradigm" (2020, European Journal of Neuroscience)
  • "High-dose biotin restores redox balance, energy and lipid homeostasis, and axonal health in a model of adrenoleukodystrophy" (2020, Brain Pathology)
  • "Modulation of mitochondrial and inflammatory homeostasis through RIP140 is neuroprotective in an adrenoleukodystrophy mouse model" (2021, Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology)
  • "Digital Health Platform for Maternal Health: Design, Recruitment Strategies, and Lessons Learned From the PowerMom Observational Cohort Study" (2025, JMIR Formative Research)

Throughout their career, Beal's work extensively explored mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegenerative diseases, and biochemical pathways affecting neurological health. Their research contributed to understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as rare neurological conditions such as adrenoleukodystrophy.

In recognition of their career, M. Flint Beal was named a member of the National Academy of Medicine in 2003.

Best Publications

  • Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases

    Michael T. Lin;M. Flint Beal

  • Dopamine neurons derived from human ES cells efficiently engraft in animal models of Parkinson’s disease

    Sonja Kriks;Jae Won Shim;Jinghua Piao;Yosif M. Ganat

  • Aging, energy, and oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases.

    Beal Mf

  • Motor neurons in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase-deficient mice develop normally but exhibit enhanced cell death after axonal injury.

    Andrew. G. Reaume;Jeffrey L. Elliott;Eric K. Hoffman;Neil W. Kowall;Neil W. Kowall

  • Oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA is increased in Alzheimer's disease

    P Mecocci;U MacGarvey;M F Beal

  • Replication of the neurochemical characteristics of Huntington's disease by quinolinic acid

    M F Beal;N W Kowall;D W Ellison;M F Mazurek

  • Does impairment of energy metabolism result in excitotoxic neuronal death in neurodegenerative illnesses

    Beal Mf

  • Effects of coenzyme Q10 in early Parkinson disease: evidence of slowing of the functional decline.

    Clifford W. Shults;David Oakes;Karl Kieburtz;M. Flint Beal

  • Oxidative damage in Alzheimer's

    M A Smith;G Perry;P L Richey;L M Sayre

  • Neurochemical and histologic characterization of striatal excitotoxic lesions produced by the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid

    MF Beal;E Brouillet;BG Jenkins;RJ Ferrante

  • Amyloid beta, mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic damage: implications for cognitive decline in aging and Alzheimer's disease

    P. Hemachandra Reddy;M. Flint Beal

  • Mitochondria take center stage in aging and neurodegeneration

    M. Flint Beal

  • Mice Deficient in Cellular Glutathione Peroxidase Show Increased Vulnerability to Malonate, 3-Nitropropionic Acid, and 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,5,6-Tetrahydropyridine

    Peter Klivenyi;Ole A. Andreassen;Robert J. Ferrante;Alpaslan Dedeoglu

  • Mitochondrial DNA deletions in human brain: regional variability and increase with advanced age.

    M Corral-Debrinski;T Horton;M T Lott;J M Shoffner

  • Oxidative damage and metabolic dysfunction in Huntington's disease: selective vulnerability of the basal ganglia.

    S. E. Browne;A. C. Bowling;U. Macgarvey;M. J. Baik

  • Mitochondrial biology and oxidative stress in Parkinson disease pathogenesis

    Claire Henchcliffe;M Flint Beal

  • Oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA shows marked age-dependent increases in human brain

    P Mecocci;U MacGarvey;A E Kaufman;D Koontz

  • Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases

    Ashu Johri;M. Flint Beal

  • Functional engraftment of human ES cell-derived dopaminergic neurons enriched by coculture with telomerase-immortalized midbrain astrocytes.

    Neeta S Roy;Carine Cleren;Shashi K Singh;Lichuan Yang

  • Evidence of increased oxidative damage in both sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

    Ferrante Rj;Browne Se;Shinobu La;Bowling Ac

  • Mitochondrial pathology and muscle and dopaminergic neuron degeneration caused by inactivation of Drosophila Pink1 is rescued by Parkin

    Yufeng Yang;Stephan Gehrke;Yuzuru Imai;Zhinong Huang

  • Selective sparing of a class of striatal neurons in Huntington's disease

    RJ Ferrante;NW Kowall;MF Beal;EP Richardson

Frequent Co-Authors

Robert J. Ferrante
Robert J. Ferrante Boston University
Joseph B. Martin
Joseph B. Martin Harvard University
Neil W. Kowall
Neil W. Kowall Boston University
Péter Klivényi
Péter Klivényi University of Szeged
Anatoly A. Starkov
Anatoly A. Starkov Cornell University
Bruce G. Jenkins
Bruce G. Jenkins Harvard University
Ole A. Andreassen
Ole A. Andreassen Oslo University Hospital
Giovanni Manfredi
Giovanni Manfredi Cornell University
Michael F. Mazurek
Michael F. Mazurek McMaster University
Jörg B. Schulz
Jörg B. Schulz RWTH Aachen University

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying neuroscience opens doors to diverse career options in research, healthcare, data science, and beyond. Exploring other accelerated programs in STEM or health sciences can be a smart way to earn your degree faster and launch your career sooner.

If you’re looking to maximize your earning potential, it’s worth researching the best bachelor's degrees and top degrees that make the most money. Many high-paying fields—like computer science, engineering, or nursing—overlap with neuroscience and provide strong job prospects.

Concerned about tuition costs? Many accredited colleges online that accept fafsa offer affordable, flexible degree options, ensuring you can achieve your academic goals without a heavy financial burden. Comparing pathways can help you choose the best fit for your interests and budget.

Best Scientists Citing M. Flint Beal