Research summary
Dr. Marco Prado’s research program systematically addresses how brain cells can become more resilient to insults—such as those caused by aging, oxidative stress, environmental toxins, or genetic predisposition—that cause neurodegeneration, leading to memory failure. Using state-of-the-art genetic technology, Prado’s lab will explore basic mechanisms that make brain cells more vulnerable to neurodegeneration insults. Neurochemical pathways will be investigated and manipulated to improve how brain cells respond to misbehaving proteins that cause neuropathology and memory dysfunction, with particular focus on Alzheimer’s disease. This research will reveal new neurochemical pathways that could be used to decrease memory deficits in dementia.