What We Do
Our research team undertakes research into the underpinnings of Alzheimer's disease with four major programs.
- We focus on the earliest stages of the disease process, when symptoms and signs are subtle, or even undetectable.
- We innovate with technical developmental projects, targeting the boundaries of cognitive aging and disease.
- We are committed to educating, and developing future leaders through innovative training or mentoring programs.
- We reach out to the surrounding community in order to communicate the urgency of understanding these devastating diseases, and to enhance recruitment of a diverse pool of subjects and patients for critical studies.
For those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, our goal is to diagnose the disease, identify means for effectively treating it, and provide help to families and caregivers
Ongoing Research Projects
Role of the immune system in Alzheimer's disease
Dr. Medeiros discovered that Alzheimer's disease promotes defects in fundamental molecular events that limit and resolve inflammation. He also demonstrated that such changes account for a substantial portion of the disease pathogenesis. Currently, the Neurula lab is undertaking the challenge of using and developing novel laboratory models in parallel with studies on affected human subjects to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms linking inflammation to β-amyloid, tau pathology, and cognitive decline. Understanding these mechanisms will allow the definition of the biological pathways involved in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease and identify potential therapeutic targets for managing this devastating disorder.
Impact of comorbidities in brain aging and Alzheimer's disease
The Neurula Lab also studies the impact of comorbidities in Alzheimer’s disease. We seek to understand how concurrent diseases that commonly occur in the elderly may modulate neurodegeneration and age-related changes in the brain. We have been particularly interested in infections, diabetes, and traumatic brain injury as significant regulators of biological processes. We are also developing genetic and pharmacological agents to manipulate these pathways in Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Medeiros discovered that Alzheimer's disease promotes defects in fundamental molecular events that limit and resolve inflammation. He also demonstrated that such changes account for a substantial portion of the disease pathogenesis. Currently, the Neurula lab is undertaking the challenge of using and developing novel laboratory models in parallel with studies on affected human subjects to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms linking inflammation to β-amyloid, tau pathology, and cognitive decline. Understanding these mechanisms will allow the definition of the biological pathways involved in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease and identify potential therapeutic targets for managing this devastating disorder.
Impact of comorbidities in brain aging and Alzheimer's disease
The Neurula Lab also studies the impact of comorbidities in Alzheimer’s disease. We seek to understand how concurrent diseases that commonly occur in the elderly may modulate neurodegeneration and age-related changes in the brain. We have been particularly interested in infections, diabetes, and traumatic brain injury as significant regulators of biological processes. We are also developing genetic and pharmacological agents to manipulate these pathways in Alzheimer’s disease.
Partners
The Neurula Lab is proud to be associated with the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders at the University of California, Irvine and the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research at the University of Queensland.
