Braak

Braak is a surname of Germanic origin that is most widely known in the scientific literature for its association with the Braak staging system. This system, developed by German neuropathologists Heiko Braak and Eva Braak, provides a framework for describing the progressive spread of pathological changes in the brain during neurodegenerative diseases.

Braak staging is applied to multiple conditions, most notably Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In Alzheimer’s disease, the stages describe the sequential appearance of neurofibrillary tangles, beginning in the transentorhinal region and advancing to the hippocampus and neocortex, with stages I through VI representing increasing involvement. In Parkinson’s disease, Braak staging outlines the ordered progression of Lewy body pathology, starting in the lower brainstem and olfactory structures and moving to limbic and cortical regions in later stages. The staging system is widely used in research and clinical contexts to characterize disease severity, correlate pathology with clinical symptoms, and compare findings across studies.

Beyond the staging system, Braak may refer to individuals bearing the surname who have contributed to various fields, particularly in medicine and science, though the Braak staging concept remains the most prominent association with the name. The term is commonly cited in neuropathology literature and is a standard reference point in discussions of the spatial progression of neurodegenerative pathology.