Research Overview
The goal of our research is to understand the underlying mechanisms of cognitive impairment in brain injury and neurodegeneration, and based on this knowledge, to develop strategies to improve cognitive function.
Our laboratory is primarily interested in understanding how neuroimmune interaction – the interplay between the immune and nervous systems – affects brain function and cognition. Our research focuses on mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) (concussion) and age-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
We develop novel in vivo imaging tools for monitoring molecular pathways and cellular responses in the brain in pre-clinical disease models. Recent efforts also involve translational (bench-to-bedside) research, developing novel small molecules and discovering biologic candidates for pharmaceutical intervention to improve cognitive function.
Located at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and through frequent collaborations with Stanford University, we have the privilege of employing cutting edge technologies, such as next-generation sequencing and near-infrared fluorescence imaging, in our research. We routinely perform confocal microscopy, molecular cloning, viral mediated gene transfer, and behavioral tests.