Caroline Graff

Caroline Graff
Professor | Clinical geneticist | Manager of the Brain Bank at KI
Department NVS | Division of Neurogeriatrics, | Karolinska Institutet
Theme Inflammation & Aging | Clinical Genetics & Genomics | Unit for Hereditary Dementias | Karolinska University Hospital-Solna

Caroline Graff received her medical degree from Uppsala University in 1992 and continued her academic career with doctoral studies in clinical genetics, completing her PhD at the same university in 1997. After her doctorate, she carried out a postdoctoral research period in mitochondrial biology at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery at Karolinska Institutet between 1997 and 2001, in parallel with her internship at Karolinska University Hospital.

From 2002 to 2006, she conducted research at the Neurotec Department at Karolinska Institutet, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases. In 2007, she was appointed Associate Professor (Docent) at the NVS Department and thereafter combined academic work with clinical practice as a specialist in clinical genetics at Karolinska University Hospital.

In 2009, she was appointed Senior Lecturer in genetic dementia research at the NVS Department, while continuing her clinical duties at Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge. On October 1, 2011, she was promoted to Professor of Genetic Dementia Research, a role in which she has continued to advance research on the genetic causes of neurodegenerative diseases, alongside her clinical engagements.

Today, Caroline Graff is a key contributor to several major international research collaborations and an initiator of research networks in Sweden. Through these engagements, she plays an important role in driving progress in genetic dementia research both nationally and globally.

Academic and Clinical Degrees

• 2011 ongoing Professor in genetic dementia research at KI combined with a position as Clinical Geneticist, Karolinska University Hospital, (förenad anställning)
• 2009   Lektor, (Senior lecturer) in genetic dementia research at KI, combined with clinical position (förenad anställning)
• 2007  Docent (Associate Professor) in Medical Genetics at KI
• 2007   Specialist physician in clinical genetics, Karolinska Hospital
• 2002  License to practice Medicine
• 1997   PhD in clinical genetics, Uppsala University. Supervisor Claes Wadelius.
• 1992   MD, Uppsala University‐Medical School

Current positions and commissions of trust:

• 2025 and ongoing: Founder and leader of FTD-ALS research network at KI
• 2018 and ongoing: Founder and leader of Swedish FTD Initiative
• 2019 and ongoing- Committee for Research KI (2019-2022, re-elected 2023-2026)
• 2019 and ongoing - Council for Infrastructure KI (2019-June 2023, re-elected 2023-2026)
• 2011 and ongoing Manager of the Brain Bank at KI
• 2002 and ongoing Head of outpatient clinic “Unit for hereditary dementias”, Karolinska University Hospital Solna. (2002-2020 part of geriatric clinic; Since March 2021 part of Clinical genetics)
• 2002 and ongoing Group leader of translational genetics of neurodegenerative disease, Dept NVS, KI (~10 people)

Previous positions: 

• 2019-2021 Board of StratNeuro KI
• 2019-2021 Theme Prefekt NVS and Theme Aging
• 2018-2019 Deputy head of Department NVS
• 2003‐2007 Residency in clinical genetics, Karolinska University Hospital
• 2002-2010 Unit Scientific Head of the Genetics program at KASPAC, Dept NVS KI
• 1999‐2000  2 years maternity leave 
• 1997‐2002 Forskar-AT: Postdoc position combined with clinical training (Internship, AT at Karolinska Hospital‐Solna (23 months))
  • Postdoc at KI, Dept MMK, Dept MedNut & Biosci (Prof. Nils‐Göran Larsson)
• 1992‐1997 PhD‐student at Clinical genetics, Dept. of Pediatrics, Uppsala University
• 1992-1997 Junior physician, part time, at Clinical Genetics DNA‐lab, Uppsala Academic Hospital
• 1991 Summer Physician in the emergency and internal medicine wards, Lindesberg’s Hospital

Selected Commissions of Trust:

• 2019                   Committee for International Conference in FTD 2020 Scientific Program and Family Track
• 2018-2020        Swedish Brain Foundation Scientific review board
• 2015-2018        Board member at Lund University, Multipark, Strategic research Area Neuroscience
• 2014 -                Member of GENFI Data Access Committee (http://genfi.org.uk/)
• 2014‐2015       Review board for the Karolinska Institutet Clinical Scientist Training Program 
• 2010‐2013       Secretary & Treasurer of the Scandinavian Neuropathological Society
• 2010‐2013       Ethical Review Board member, Stockholm

Caroline Graff’s research focuses on identifying genetic markers for neurodegenerative dementias, with particular emphasis on Alzheimer disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with and without association to ALS. The goal is to deepen the understanding of individual genetic risk factors—knowledge that can ultimately be translated into clinical practice, for example through genetic counselling at the Unit for Hereditary Dementias at Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Karolinska University Hospital. The research also contributes to the development of targeted therapies for genetic forms of FTD, ALS, and AD, which may  enable preventive treatment.

As part of this work, we have initiated both national and international networks for research and improved clinical diagnostics and care. In Sweden, we established the Swedish FTD Initiative, and in Stockholm we launched an interdisciplinary research network for FTD–ALS in 2025.

Internationally, we participate in GENFI, a European and Canadian research study which, together with ALLFTD in the United States, maps rare genetic forms of FTD with and without ALS. This is achieved through systematic and longitudinal collection of data (MRI, EEG, cognitive assessments, neurological examinations) as well as biological sampling from families. FTD is a complex group of disorders that is often overlooked in clinical care, making these dedicated research studies essential for obtaining data and biological material. The international collaboration, the shared development of knowledge, and close engagement with patients and their families are central and highly rewarding components of the research.

I have supervised seven PhD students to completion as main supervisor and two as co-supervisor.

I am course director and examiner for the course #5572 Neurodegenerative Disorders I: Genes, Mechanisms and Clinical Aspects, which is part of the master’s and doctoral program Frontiers in Neuroscience.
I regularly lecture for and organize meetings with patient organizations, education programs within health- and social care, and other professional groups.

Supervision to doctoral degree

• Abbe Ullgren, Protein and MRI profiling of genetic frontotemporal dementia, 2024