University of Tasmania, Australia

Neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease

The brain pathology of Alzheimer's disease emerges many years before overt symptomology appears. Our studies focus on identifying the earliest nerve cell changes that characterise incipient Alzheimer's disease. Investigations utilise both human brain studies as well as investigations of mice that have been genetically engineered to form β -amyloid plaques. Advanced imaging techniques are used to examine how β -amyloid plaques cause damage to nerve cells, as well as the subsequent cascade of degenerative changes that result in the progressive symptomology of Alzheimer's disease. The related experimental models serve as a platform to investigate new drugs that may inhibit brain pathology in this condition.