Neurodegenerative Research

Our newest research focuses on: how the most important genetic risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease, the APOE4 gene, interacts with specific DNA sequences to control the nerve cells’ ability to rid itself of unwanted or misfolded proteins; how environmental factors such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes act to deprive nerve cells of glucose and promote neuronal stress and loss; and, with our collaborator Dr. Peter Crooks, how specifically targeted brain-penetrant drugs decrease the levels of glial activation and production of neuroinflammatory proteins, prevent the formation of aggregates and destroy previously formed aggregates in C. elegans, and alter the effects of dietary changes that favor the development of metabolic syndrome reminiscent of Type 2 diabetes.