Research
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Our long-term goal is to determine how sex differences in cerebrovascular function contribute to dementia and to develop sex-specific therapeutic strategies to improve cognitive function.
We are also very interested in how vascular risk factors, such as prediabetes, alter cognitive function. |
Current Projects:
1) Sex differences in effects of prediabetes on vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).
Diabetes impairs vascular function and increase VCID risk. Vascular effects of diabetes are greater in females than males, however, little is known regarding the effects of prediabetes. The goal of this study is to determine underlying mechanisms for these sex differences in effects of prediabetes on VCID. This project is funded by an American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant.
2) Metabolic & Hormonal Mechanisms of VCID.
Risk of VCID, the second leading cause of dementia, is significantly increased in metabolically impaired post-menopausal women. This proposal will test the hypothesis that the effects of prediabetes on VCID pathology (neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits) will be exacerbated in post-menopausal, compared to pre- or peri-menopausal, females and will be reversed by increasing estrogen in the brain. Our study will provide mechanistic insight that will facilitate future interventions to decrease the burden of dementia, particularly in the high-risk population of prediabetic post-menopausal women. This project is funded by an R01 from NINDS.
3) Sex differences in vascular contributions to Alzheimer's disease.
Vascular risk factors, such as diabetes, are also known to increase Alzheimer's disease risk. Alzheimer's disease is more prevalent in women than men. In women with Alzheimer's disease production of sex hormones is impaired. The goal of this study is to determine how these deficits in sex hormone production might alter vascular function in the brain and increase Alzheimer's disease pathology.
4) Sex Differences in effects of prediabetes on neurogenesis during aging.
Prediabetes, which is 3 times more prevalent than type 2 diabetes, impairs function of cerebrovascular endothelial cells. These endothelial cells play an important role in regulating adult neurogenesis. The goal of this study, led by my postdoc Dr. Lisa Robison, is to determine the effects of prediabetes on adult neurogenesis and to determine if there are sex differences in these effects that vary with age.
1) Sex differences in effects of prediabetes on vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).
Diabetes impairs vascular function and increase VCID risk. Vascular effects of diabetes are greater in females than males, however, little is known regarding the effects of prediabetes. The goal of this study is to determine underlying mechanisms for these sex differences in effects of prediabetes on VCID. This project is funded by an American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant.
2) Metabolic & Hormonal Mechanisms of VCID.
Risk of VCID, the second leading cause of dementia, is significantly increased in metabolically impaired post-menopausal women. This proposal will test the hypothesis that the effects of prediabetes on VCID pathology (neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits) will be exacerbated in post-menopausal, compared to pre- or peri-menopausal, females and will be reversed by increasing estrogen in the brain. Our study will provide mechanistic insight that will facilitate future interventions to decrease the burden of dementia, particularly in the high-risk population of prediabetic post-menopausal women. This project is funded by an R01 from NINDS.
3) Sex differences in vascular contributions to Alzheimer's disease.
Vascular risk factors, such as diabetes, are also known to increase Alzheimer's disease risk. Alzheimer's disease is more prevalent in women than men. In women with Alzheimer's disease production of sex hormones is impaired. The goal of this study is to determine how these deficits in sex hormone production might alter vascular function in the brain and increase Alzheimer's disease pathology.
4) Sex Differences in effects of prediabetes on neurogenesis during aging.
Prediabetes, which is 3 times more prevalent than type 2 diabetes, impairs function of cerebrovascular endothelial cells. These endothelial cells play an important role in regulating adult neurogenesis. The goal of this study, led by my postdoc Dr. Lisa Robison, is to determine the effects of prediabetes on adult neurogenesis and to determine if there are sex differences in these effects that vary with age.
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