Neurological Disease Research

Neurodegeneration

Many of the degenerative diseases of the nervous system take a huge toll on their sufferers and on society. Most of these diseases involve the premature death of nerve cells leading to loss of cognitive function (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's), paralysis (ALS), and blindness (retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma and macular degeneration). Various molecular pathways for initiation and possible prevention of these defects are under active investigation by members of this department.