Dr. Lao’s research focuses on a multiple biomarker approach to Alzheimer’s disease (i.e., amyloid-β, hyperphosphorylated tau, cerebrovascular disease, and neurodegeneration), informed by contextual factors (i.e., genetic, biological, social, environmental) for underrepresented and underserved groups, will provide the most reliable understanding of the complex disease course.
Alzheimer’s disease
Brad Christian, PhD – Slide of the Week
The extent to which amyloid-β burden and neurofibrillary tau tangle burden are associated with synaptic degeneration in vivo is not well known.
Barbara B. Bendlin, PhD – Slide of the Week
White matter (WM) degeneration is a critical component of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology.
Weight loss may be early predictor of Alzheimer’s disease in Down syndrome
Unintentional weight loss in people with Down syndrome may predict the onset of Alzheimer’s disease long before typical cognitive symptoms like memory loss and dementia are apparent.
Thoughts of gratitude: The Dewey family is a catalyst of support for the Waisman Center
Individuals with Down syndrome are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and it typically presents it at an earlier age than the general population. It is estimated that 90% of people with Down syndrome will have developed Alzheimer’s by age 65.
Sigan Hartley, PhD – Slide of the Week
People with Down Syndrome (DS) are at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) because of their unique biology and provide an unparalleled opportunity to develop biomarkers of preclinical AD.
Barbara Bendlin, PhD – Slide of the Week
Insulin resistance (IR) has been related to reduced cerebral glucose metabolism in regions identified as hypometabolic in Alzheimer’s clinical syndrome. Insulin secretion (IS) has been less studied than IR despite findings that decreased IS is an early indicator of future type 2 diabetes and a potential predictor of Alzheimer’s clinical syndrome.
Jose Martinez connects science and policy as a BTP trainee
While working as a health care administrator in Santa Cruz, California during the 2015 Zika virus outbreak, Jose Martinez realized his background in chemistry and pharmacology could be harnessed to set policies that are grounded in science.
Studying the connection between Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome for Down syndrome awareness month
By Emily Leclerc, Waisman Science Writer The month of October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and is dedicated to not only raising awareness about Down syndrome but also to celebrating the abilities and accomplishments of …
Anita Bhattacharyya, PhD – Slide of the Week
Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21) is characterized by intellectual impairment at birth and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in middle age. As individuals with DS age, their cognitive functions decline as they develop AD pathology.