Our research focuses on the molecular neuropathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we are trying to unravel the molecular changes occurring in Alzheimer's disease, tauopathies, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related conditions. We are using genetic, biochemical and molecular approaches to pinpoint underlying differences in the expression of various neurodegenerative phenotypes arising from alterations in beta-amyloid, the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), alpha-synuclein and TDP-43.

One major outstanding issue surrounding neurodegenerative diseases in general involves the nature of the regional susceptibility of neuroanatomically distinct neuronal populations to degenerate. We are particularly interested in changes occurring in limbic (e.g., the hippocampus and amygdala) and mesolimbic structures, and how degenerative changes intersect with normal mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, cell survival, cell death and cell polarity.