Overview
The Neuroregeneration Laboratory focuses on molecular mechanisms of neuritic/synaptic plasticity deficits in the diseased brain and the development of therapeutic strategies that can rescue this disconnection and reestablish functional neural connections. Compromised neuritic/synaptic connection of neurons in the diseased brain, preceding manifestation of pathological alterations and underlying impairment in cognition and other brain functions, is a common feature of many central nervous system diseases. Therapeutic benefits of enhancement of neuroregeneration/neuroplasticity have been implicated not only in neurodegeneration but also in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Neuroregeneration Laboratory head: Wen Hu, MD, PhD [email protected]
Research Projects
The ongoing projects of the Neuroregeneration Laboratory are to study i) the role of tau hyperphosphorylation in the spread of tau pathology and neuronal plasticity and ii) molecular mechanisms involved in tau pathogenesis and synaptic deficits in traumatic brain injury. The future direction of research in this lab will be screening of neurotrophic/neurogenic compounds and development of other strategies for modulation of neuritic/synaptic plasticity and promotion of neurogenesis that enable neuroregeneration in cell/tissue cultures and in animal models. This lab has established collaborations with several other labs within the institute and is also seeking to collaborate with other labs outside.