Dr. Joanna Jankowsky's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding the diverse biological mechanisms that contribute to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. By using specialized mouse models that express amyloid precursor protein in different types of neurons, the lab investigates how these variations influence amyloid plaque formation and the subsequent effects on cognitive function. The goal is to uncover the relationship between neuron behavior and Alzheimer's disease pathology, which may lead to improved therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Randall J. Bateman's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease (AD) through innovative blood tests and longitudinal studies. The lab is part of the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN), which gathers essential data from individuals at high risk for AD, allowing researchers to track disease progression and develop new preventive strategies. By studying biomarkers like amyloid and tau in blood samples, the lab aims to improve early detection methods and inform future clinical trials for new Alzheimer's therapies.

Dr. John Cirrito's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how synaptic activity in the brain impacts the formation and aggregation of amyloid-beta, a critical component involved in Alzheimer's disease. By using specialized technologies to monitor these processes in real-time, the lab aims to determine how different types of neurons contribute to amyloid-beta production and aggregation, potentially leading to new insights for developing therapies against Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Bhooma Aravamuthan's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding and treating dystonia, a movement disorder that often affects children born prematurely. The research explores how injuries in the brain's cortex, specifically involving a type of neuron called parvalbumin-positive interneurons, contribute to dystonia. By using innovative mouse models, the lab aims to identify predictive markers of dystonia and develop potential new therapies targeting these cortical neurons to improve treatment outcomes.

Dr. Gregory Wu's lab at Washington University focuses on finding innovative immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. By utilizing advanced CAR-T cell technology, the research aims to specifically target and eliminate T cells that attack the nervous system without compromising the overall immune system. This could lead to more effective treatments for patients with chronic autoimmune conditions.

Dr. Naresha Saligrama's research lab at Washington University focuses on understanding the immune responses involved in autoimmune diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS) and the roles of specific T cells. They investigate how certain immune T cell receptors react with both myelin and viral antigens, aiming to uncover the triggers of MS. Additionally, the lab explores the function of unique regulatory T cells that could provide insights for treating autoimmune conditions.

Martha W Bagnall's lab focuses on understanding how neuromodulators like dopamine and serotonin influence movement in zebrafish. By utilizing advanced imaging techniques and genetic tools, the lab explores how these chemicals affect spinal cord circuits to control locomotion during different behaviors. This research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind neuromodulatory action and its significance in motor control.

Dr. Beau Ances' lab focuses on understanding the brain's health and function as people age. Their work includes studying brain connectivity in older adults to find out what factors contribute to resilience or vulnerability to diseases like Alzheimer's. Another area of research investigates how cannabis use affects brain health and cognitive performance in individuals living with HIV. Overall, the lab combines techniques in neuroimaging and psychological assessment to explore important connections between lifestyle, health, and brain function.

Dr. Linda J. Richards' lab focuses on understanding how brain activity patterns in early life influence the development of brain circuits and overall brain function. Using the fat-tailed dunnart, a small marsupial, her team investigates when and how patterns of spontaneous neural activity emerge during development. This research provides insights into the relationships between neural activity, brain structure, and behavior, potentially informing therapeutic strategies for brain disorders.

Dr. Camillo Padoa-Schioppa's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how the brain makes economic choices. By studying neuronal activity in the orbitofrontal cortex of monkeys, the lab investigates how decisions are influenced by various factors such as the number of available options and the internal state of the individual. This research is important for gaining insights into neurological disorders that disrupt economic choice behavior, like frontotemporal dementia and major depression.

Dr. Andrew Findlay's lab at Washington University focuses on developing new gene therapies for muscular dystrophies, particularly a type called limb-girdle muscular dystrophy D1 (LGMDD1). Unlike other gene therapy approaches that address recessive disorders, his research targets dominantly inherited conditions where traditional methods fail. His team is pioneering a technique called allele specific knockdown (ASKD) to selectively silence harmful gene mutations while preserving normal gene function. This work is crucial for advancing the treatment landscape for similar muscular dystrophies and potentially other genetic disorders.

David M. Holtzman’s lab at Washington University focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease, particularly how T cells, microglia, and the APOE gene interact to exacerbate tau-related neurodegeneration. Researchers in this lab investigate both innate and adaptive immune responses in the brain and their contributions to the pathology of tau aggregation and neurodegeneration. The goal is to find new therapeutic targets that can slow or prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

Dr. Conrad C. Weihl's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind inclusion body myopathy, a serious muscle disease. The research investigates how protein aggregates might spread between muscle fibers and cause degeneration, with potential applications for new therapies. By studying muscle tissues affected by this disease, the lab aims to clarify the links between different types of protein abnormalities and develop strategies to interrupt their harmful spread.

Dr. Yo-El S Ju's lab focuses on studying rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and its connections to more serious neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and dementia. The team collects data from patients diagnosed with RBD to understand how they might transition to these conditions and to develop strategies for early intervention and treatment. The lab aims to enhance clinical trials for neuroprotective therapies, ultimately improving outcomes for those at risk of developing severe neurological disorders.

Adam Kepecs' lab focuses on understanding how certain brain circuits, specifically in the basal forebrain, influence attention and cognitive functions. The lab investigates a particular type of neuron that suppresses activity in other neurons to see how it affects our ability to maintain attention over time. Their research has potential implications for treating attention disorders and other cognitive issues related to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Dr. Qingyun Li's lab focuses on understanding the role of microglial cells in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The lab investigates how specific microglial subsets, particularly those known as disease-associated microglia (DAM), contribute to the pathology of AD. By exploring the origins, genetic regulation, and functions of these microglia, the research aims to uncover potential therapeutic targets to help combat Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Cindy V Ly's lab at Washington University is focused on understanding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a severe neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. The research aims to identify biomarkers that can help in the diagnosis and treatment of ALS by studying neurofilament proteins, which play a key role in neuron structure and function. The lab combines advanced proteomic techniques with patient biofluids to uncover new insights that could lead to innovative therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Eric McDade's lab at Washington University focuses on Alzheimer's disease, specifically testing if early intervention can prevent the onset of the disease in individuals with a genetic predisposition. The lab conducts clinical trials aimed at stopping amyloid plaque formation, which is associated with Alzheimer's pathology, by using innovative anti-amyloid therapies. Their research seeks to radically change how Alzheimer's is approached, making it possible to intervene before symptoms appear.

Dr. John Morris's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding Alzheimer's disease by investigating early biomarkers in middle-aged individuals, especially those with a family history of the disease. The lab studies how changes in the brain can indicate the potential onset of Alzheimer's, even before symptoms appear. Through various projects, they explore factors that may influence the progression from preclinical conditions to symptomatic Alzheimer's while examining biological tests and lifestyle factors that may impact brain health.

Dr. Harrison Gabel's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding the role of specific gene mutations in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. They study how these mutations affect a special form of DNA methylation in neurons, which is crucial for proper brain function. Their research aims to uncover the mechanisms of gene regulation in the nervous system and how disruptions can lead to neurological issues.