Dr. Md Nasir Uddin's lab at the University of Rochester focuses on understanding how liver diseases, specifically non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affect brain health in individuals living with HIV. The research uses advanced imaging technologies, including MRI, to explore brain dysfunction and cognitive performance in these patients. By investigating the links between liver health, brain injury, and cognitive outcomes, the lab aims to improve our understanding of these complex interactions and develop better diagnostic tools.

The Unni lab at Oregon Health & Science University focuses on understanding Lewy body dementia, a type of neurodegenerative disease. Their research explores how different protein pathologies, particularly alpha-synuclein and beta-amyloid, interact and spread in the brain, which may help in developing new treatments. The lab uses advanced imaging techniques to study changes in neurons over time and how immune cells contribute to these diseases.

Dr. Akihiko Urayama's lab at the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston focuses on understanding the safety and effectiveness of immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease. They study how certain antibodies can clear harmful amyloid-beta proteins from the brain while avoiding dangerous side effects like inflammation and bleeding. The lab aims to develop strategies that maximize treatment benefits while minimizing risks for patients.

Dr. W Martin Usrey's lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding how different parts of the brain communicate during visual processing. By investigating the pulvinar, a key thalamic structure, the lab explores how visual signals are transmitted between cortical areas in both mice and monkeys. This research aims to shed light on the underlying mechanisms of brain function and how disruptions in communication might affect conditions like epilepsy and vision disorders.

Dr. Nora Vanegas-Arroyave's lab studies the causes of apathy in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. They aim to understand how changes in the brain affect motivation and goal-directed behavior. Using neuroimaging and electrical stimulation techniques, the lab investigates ways to improve the quality of life for patients by developing targeted treatments for apathy.

Dr. Varghese John's lab at UCLA focuses on developing innovative solutions for Alzheimer's disease (AD) through gene editing. By targeting the APOE4 gene, a major genetic risk factor for AD, the lab utilizes a cutting-edge delivery system called synthetic exosomes to transport CRISPR components across the blood-brain barrier. The lab's goal is to optimize this gene-editing technique to improve cognitive function in AD models and facilitate potential clinical applications.

Dr. Kejie Yin's research lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on better understanding vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), which is a significant cause of dementia following Alzheimer's disease. The lab studies how certain proteins and long non-coding RNAs (like KLF11 and Malat1) influence brain health, particularly in relation to blood flow to the brain and the integrity of brain structures. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop new therapies to improve cognitive function and protect against brain injuries associated with VCID.

Dr. Audrey Peiwen Fan's research lab focuses on understanding the role of vascular health in dementia, particularly how blood supply issues in the brain affect cognitive function. They work on developing advanced MRI techniques to measure brain oxygen extraction, which can reveal critical insights into conditions that lead to cognitive decline. This research is significant for identifying early signs of vascular contributions to dementia and designing interventions to slow down cognitive impairment.

Dr. Venugopal Reddy Venna's lab focuses on understanding how strokes affect the brain, particularly in older adults. They explore the relationship between post-stroke depression and changes in specific brain chemicals, like taurine and oxytocin, that are vital for mood and recovery. By investigating these mechanisms, the lab aims to identify potential treatments to improve recovery and quality of life for stroke survivors.

Dr. Marco Venniro's lab focuses on understanding how social interactions affect substance use disorders, particularly opioid addiction. The research combines animal behavior studies with advanced genetic techniques to explore how social dynamics can influence drug craving and relapse. By creating models that simulate human social interactions, the lab aims to uncover neurobiological mechanisms that could lead to better treatments for addiction.

Dr. Joe Verghese's lab focuses on understanding cognitive decline and dementia, particularly among immigrant populations such as Kerala Americans. The research explores how cultural and social factors influence dementia risk and aims to improve cognitive assessments in primary care settings. By studying the unique demographic of first-generation immigrants, the lab seeks to uncover insights that could aid in early detection and management of cognitive impairment.

Dr. Rajkumar Verma's lab at the University of Connecticut focuses on developing new treatments for ischemic stroke using innovative RNA inhibitors. The lab studies microRNAs, specifically the miR-141-3p family, which are found to be significantly upregulated in stroke patients. By creating advanced peptide nucleic acid (PNA) analogs that inhibit this microRNA, the research aims to reduce stroke injury and improve long-term recovery outcomes in animal models. Their work emphasizes the potential of miRNA-targeted therapy as a novel approach to address stroke-related disabilities.

Dr. Steven A. Vernino's lab focuses on understanding Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes disabling symptoms in patients when they stand up. The lab is dedicated to identifying different subtypes of POTS through detailed patient studies, which involve various assessments and exercise responses. The goal is to improve diagnosis and treatment plans, helping patients manage their condition more effectively.

Dr. Monica Vetter's lab focuses on understanding how specific genes regulate the development of retinal cells in the eye. They study the role of a transcription factor called Foxp1 in guiding the differentiation of progenitor cells into various types of retinal neurons, such as ganglion and cone cells. This research aims to uncover potential methods to restore vision by regenerating lost retinal cell types due to disease or injury.

Dr. Jonathan D Victor's lab focuses on understanding how the brain processes visual information, specifically how we perceive textures and material properties. The research integrates experimental studies with computational modeling to investigate how visual data is transformed into perceptions that guide our behaviors. By developing new analytical tools and leveraging insights from psychophysics and neuroscience, this lab aims to enhance our understanding of visual perception and its implications for addressing visual processing deficits.

Dr. Eric Dennis Vidoni's lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center focuses on understanding how different types of exercise impact brain health and cognition in older adults. Their research investigates the effects of aerobic and resistance training on cognitive performance, brain structure, and overall physical function. By leveraging community-based exercise programs, they aim to develop strategies that promote successful aging and help prevent diseases like Alzheimer's.

Dr. Vilas Menon's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding the complex interactions between different cell types involved in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). By using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from donors with varying AD pathology, the lab aims to explore how these cells communicate and influence each other in the progression of cognitive decline. This research is critical for identifying potential clinical targets for Alzheimer's intervention.

Professor Terrence R Stanford's research lab focuses on understanding how the brain can recover from vision loss due to stroke or trauma, specifically hemianopia, a condition that causes blindness in one half of the visual field. The lab employs primate models to investigate a novel rehabilitation approach that combines visual and auditory cues to promote healing and improve visual capabilities. By exploring the neurobiological mechanisms involved in this rehabilitation, the lab aims to inform future treatments for patients with similar conditions and enhance their quality of life.

Dr. Long Ding's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding how the brain makes visual decisions. They study the neural mechanisms that allow us to adjust our decision-making based on changing visual information, which is crucial for planning and executing movements like eye movements. The research aims to identify the brain regions involved in this process and how they interact, especially in the context of cognitive disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Michael Higley's research lab at Yale University explores how our brains process visual information and how this influences behavior, such as navigation and memory. By studying the connections between different brain regions, particularly the medial entorhinal cortex and neocortex, the lab aims to uncover the cellular and circuit mechanisms involved in visual representation and GABAergic inhibition. Their work is crucial for understanding fundamental brain functions and may have implications for treating neuropsychiatric disorders.