Alex Brian Speers, N.D., M.C.R. (he/him)

  • Assistant Professor of Neurology, School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Alex Speers is an assistant professor in the OHSU Department of Neurology, and a clinical researcher interested in the use and safety of botanical dietary supplements in older adults.

Dr. Speers has clinical training as a naturopathic physician and masters training in integrative medicine research and clinical research. He started at OHSU in 2020 after residency, joining Dr. Amala Soumyanath’s lab where he received training in botanical medicine research as part of the BENFRA Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center.

As the use of botanical dietary supplements becomes more common, Dr. Speers believes that rigorous clinical research is needed to evaluate the safety and reputed therapeutic effects of these products. His NIH-funded research focuses on the botanical Withania somnifera, better known as ashwagandha, an Ayurvedic herb commonly used for stress and sleep disorders. Dr. Speers is currently conducting a pharmacokinetic and safety study of ashwagandha in older adults to better understand how this botanical may work in the body.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • B.A., 2009, University of Oklahoma
    • N.D., 2017, National University of Natural Medicine
    • M.S., 2017, National University of Natural Medicine
    • M.C.R., Oregon Health & Science University

  • Residency

    • Integrative Oncology Resident, Sage Cancer Care, 2017-2019

  • Certifications

    • Professional License, Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine, 2017-current

Areas of interest

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Botanical Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Caregiving

Publications

Selected publications

  • Speers AB, Wright KM, Brandes MS, Kedjejian N, Matthews DG, Caruso M, Harris CJ, Koike S, Nguyen T, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A, Gray NE. Mode of administration influences plasma levels of active Centella asiatica compounds in 5xFAD mice while markers of neuroinflammation remain unaltered. Front Neurosci. 2024 Mar 25;18:1277626. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1277626. PMID: 38591068; PMCID: PMC10999680.
  • Wright KM, Bollen M, David J, Speers AB, Brandes MS, Gray NE, Alcázar Magaña A, McClure C, Stevens JF, Maier CS, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Key Components of a Standardized Centella asiatica Product in Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: A Phase 1, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Jan 23;11(2):215. doi: 10.3390/antiox11020215. PMID: 35204098; PMCID: PMC8868383.
  • Speers AB, García-Jaramillo M, Feryn A, Matthews DG, Lichtenberg T, Caruso M, Wright KM, Quinn JF, Stevens JF, Maier CS, Soumyanath A, Gray NE. Centella asiatica Alters Metabolic Pathways Associated With Alzheimer's Disease in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of ß-Amyloid Accumulation. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Dec 16;12:788312. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.788312. PMID: 34975484; PMCID: PMC8717922.
  • Speers AB, Cabey KA, Soumyanath A, Wright KM. Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress- Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(9):1468-1495. doi: 10.2174/1570159X19666210712151556. PMID: 34254920; PMCID: PMC8762185.

Publications