If you are interested in participating in Memory and Aging Center research, please visit the Research page at the Memory and Aging Center website below.

Neuroimaging

Modern neuroimaging studies of patients with degenerative disease provide the critical anatomical maps that guide neurodegenerative disease research. We use network-sensitive structural and functional MRI techniques to chart the brain regions affected early in each disease. Asymptomatic mutation carriers provide an important window into these early stages. We also use imaging to study disease progression. To date, our findings suggest that disease progression may represent spread of disease along network connections, perhaps due to prion-like corruption of natively folded (or unfolded) proteins. Additional ongoing studies seek additional more direct support for this hypothesis.

Neuroanatomy and Pathology

Because quantitative neuropathological experiments require meticulous, labor-intensive experiments that yield rich information about few, restricted brain regions, we use the neuroimaging to pinpoint networks and provide a “map” for our quantitative pathology studies. Neurohistological methods then enable us to delve deeper, into the microstructure of the brain as it undergoes progressive degeneration. In addition, modern single cell profiling approaches allow us to pursue questions of neuron type-specific identity and vulnerability. The molecular genetics of neurodegeneration provides candidate pathways for further exploration in human tissues and other model systems. The overall goal of these studies is to understand how selective vulnerability works, paving the way for discovery of novel therapeutics that protect, restore, or even replace susceptible neurons.