Research
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Our long-term goal is to determine how sex, aging, and sex hormones influence vascular and metabolic contributions to dementia and to develop sex-specific therapeutic strategies to improve cognitive function and reduce the burden of dementia.
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Current Projects:
1) Sex differences in effects of prediabetes on vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).
VCID is the second leading cause of dementia. Diabetes impairs vascular function and is a major risk factor for VCID. 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 is significantly increased in metabolically impaired (prediabetic/diabetic) post-menopausal women. This study will determine 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.
Up to 80% of those with Alzheimer's disease have underlying vascular damage or VCID. 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. This project is funded by Albany Medical College Start Up funds.
4) Novel Hormonal Therapeutic Target for Post-menopausal Alzheimer’s Disease.
While it is know that Alzheimer's disease is more common in women than men, the reason for this sex difference is unknown. Middle-aged women go through major hormonal changes during menopause that accelerate their development of risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Nearly all women with Alzheimer's disease are post-menopausal. The goal of this study is to understand the important interaction between menopause and Alzheimer's pathology and identify a novel hormonal therapeutic approach for post-menopausal Alzheimer's disease. This project is funded by Louis Sklarow Memorial Trust.
5) Neuroimmune Changes with Aging and Dementia.
Neuroinflammation is known to increase with both aging and dementia. In collaboration with Dr. Qi Yang's lab in the Immunology Department at Albany Medical College, we are assessing changes in a novel type of anti-inflammatory immune cell in the brain - group type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). Activating these cells is showing promise in protecting against age-related decline in our mouse models. To hear more about this work, check out our recent interview in Newsweek.
1) Sex differences in effects of prediabetes on vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).
VCID is the second leading cause of dementia. Diabetes impairs vascular function and is a major risk factor for VCID. 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 is significantly increased in metabolically impaired (prediabetic/diabetic) post-menopausal women. This study will determine 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.
Up to 80% of those with Alzheimer's disease have underlying vascular damage or VCID. 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. This project is funded by Albany Medical College Start Up funds.
4) Novel Hormonal Therapeutic Target for Post-menopausal Alzheimer’s Disease.
While it is know that Alzheimer's disease is more common in women than men, the reason for this sex difference is unknown. Middle-aged women go through major hormonal changes during menopause that accelerate their development of risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Nearly all women with Alzheimer's disease are post-menopausal. The goal of this study is to understand the important interaction between menopause and Alzheimer's pathology and identify a novel hormonal therapeutic approach for post-menopausal Alzheimer's disease. This project is funded by Louis Sklarow Memorial Trust.
5) Neuroimmune Changes with Aging and Dementia.
Neuroinflammation is known to increase with both aging and dementia. In collaboration with Dr. Qi Yang's lab in the Immunology Department at Albany Medical College, we are assessing changes in a novel type of anti-inflammatory immune cell in the brain - group type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). Activating these cells is showing promise in protecting against age-related decline in our mouse models. To hear more about this work, check out our recent interview in Newsweek.
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