Advancing understanding of brain aging, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related neurodegenerative disorders is essential for improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

ACT research targets the cellular and molecular pathways that drive the onset and progression of these disorders. The ultimate goal is to develop therapies, preventive strategies and diagnostic biomarkers that can be translated into clinical practice to benefit patients, caregivers, and communities. 

Our efforts focus on the basic biology of neurodegeneration, including neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular, and neurovascular dysfunction, and the role of neuronal, glial, and vascular cell damage in aging and disease. Investigators are also uncovering how risk factors such as hypertension, genetic predisposition, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and reduced cerebral blood flow contribute to the development and progression of AD and dementia. 

A comprehensive experimental approach integrates in vitro studies using cultured brain cells, in vivo models including transgenic mice, and human translational studies. These tools support the discovery of disease mechanisms, testing novel therapeutic strategies, and identifying clinically relevant biomarkers to guide future care.