PharmTox: Student Portal

Neurobiology of a resilient brain evading dementia in the face of Alzheimer’s Disease neuropathology with Dr. G. Taglialaetla

23 February, 2023, 5 PM-6 PM

This conversation features Dr. Taglialaetla whose work studies the mechanisms underscoring brain resistance and resilience to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) neuropathology.

This conversation features Dr. Taglialaetla whose work studies the mechanisms underscoring brain resistance and resilience to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) neuropathology. Certain individuals remain cognitively intact despite the presence of neuropathology (A plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles) consistent with clinically symptomatic, late stage AD. The existence of these individuals (which we termed Non-Demented with AD Neuropathology, or NDAN for short) suggests that there is a natural way for the human brain to withstand the functional havoc normally brought about by AD neuropathology. It follows that understanding the molecular/cellular mechanisms involved in such extraordinary resilience would reveal targets for the development of a new therapeutic concept centered on stimulating cognitive resilience in anyone affected by AD. This novel treatment strategy is expected to be effective in humans, as demonstrated by the existence of NDAN individual. Laying the foundation for the future development of such an innovative therapeutic concept is the main goal of our work.

Date Feb 23, 2023