Research Interests

Short Description: My research interests focus on understanding basic pathogenic mechanisms in Alzheimers disease, which will enhance translation of research advances into therapeutic applications.

Long Description: My research is driven by the goal of understanding basic pathogenic mechanisms in Alzheimers disease (AD). Specific topics of interest include: regulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing through control of intracellular trafficking, analysis of the role of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) receptor LR11 in amyloidogenesis, modulation of APP processing by muscarinic receptor activity, and characterization of new genes involved in AD and neurodegeneration. These questions are being addressed in a variety of cellular and animal models, using plasmid transfections, viral gene transfer, and siRNA techniques combined with biochemical and cell biological analytic methods. Combining rational understanding of disease mechanisms with knowledge of clinical disease and human neuropathology offers the greatest hope for advancing translational research to improve treatment of complex neurodegenerative diseases.

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