Basic Research
About Our Basic Science Programs
| In the Basic Neuroscience Programs, we aim to decipher underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related diseases, and, in so doing, enable the translation of these findings into effective treatments. Our extensive strengths in molecular neurobiology and neuroscience are a strong foundation for bridging basic science to our clinical goals. One of several major scientific areas of focus of the COE concerns the origin and significance of toxic amyloids and related products that build-up in the brain and are widely believed to initiate AD. Insights into the genetics and biochemistry of amyloid proteins uncovered in studies at NYU have helped, for example, to provide the groundwork for new anti-amyloid vaccine therapies for AD. |  |
Recent research is now bearing down on a more comprehensive understanding of the function of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). The suspected function of APP in synapses that control the communications between neurons and underlie memory has sharpened the focus of this research on synapse biology and electrophysiology -- areas in which Center investigators have particularly strong expertise.
Moreover, recent discoveries at NYU of defects in the way neurons shuttle APP and other proteins to different internal destinations has not only revealed novel pathways for amyloid generation but also yielded key insights into why neurons die in AD, Parkinson’s and other devastating neurodegenerative diseases. Future investigations of these cellular pathways and interrelated processes involving growth factors that promote survival of aging on disease neurons will capitalize on the special strengths and depth of expertise in these areas within the Center and ensure delivery of innovative therapies for AD and PD.
Center of Excellence on Brain Aging Basic Science Efforts
Centers and Programs
Nathan Kline Institute
Investigators
- Branch, Craig
- Chesler, Mitchell
- Gan, Wenbiao
- Ginsberg, Stephen
- Hong, Kyonsoo
- Hutchinson, Michael
- Kumar, Asok
- Lindenmayer, Jean-Pierre
- Mohan, Panaiyur
- Neubert, Thomas
- Nierenberg, Jay
- Ninan, Ipe
- Nishiyama, Makoto
- Nixon, Ralph
- Ohno, Masuo
- Rao, Mala
- Robinson, James
- Ryoo, Don
- Scharfman, Helen
- Wadghiri, Youssef
- Wegiel, Jerzy
- Yang, Dun-Sheng
- Zhu, Wei
- Ziff, Edward
