Brain HDL program Archives

Brain HDL Program

In this program we study how a deeper understanding of brain apolipoprotein biology can be utilized to make that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
We focus on a pathway to make smaller HDL particles, via ATP binding cassette 1 (ABCA1) and its capacity to regulate endosome formation.
Our research indicates that the formation of small HDL by ABCA1 in the brain can protect against neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in individuals at risk because of the APOE4 genotype.

Our main goals are:

Develop a deeper understanding of endosomal dysfunction with APOE4 and its relation to brain HDL and ABCA1 activity using basic animal models
Characterize biomarkers of brain ABCA1 activity using CSF and imaging studies
Develop drugs based on increasing brain ABCA1 activity
Define cerebrospinal fluid HDL particle composition, size, concentrations using ion mobility
Define post-translational modifications of brain apolipoproteins in cerebrospinal fluid and their effect on brain HDL structure and function

Brain HDL program

Does making new HDL particles affect Alzheimer’s disease?

In this collaboration with Artery Therapeutics, Sasan Noveir, Bilal Kerman and the team show that a peptide that makes HDL promotes the clearance of amyloid

June 24, 2022 No Comments

Brain HDL program

Discovery of small HDL in CSF as an Alzheimer’s biomarker

Over the past 7 years, our team succeeded in developing an assay to measure brain HDL using the Ion Mobility Technique. This method was originally

April 13, 2022 No Comments

Brain HDL program

Do systemic and brain HDL particles mix?

Do systemic HDL particles mix with the brain HDL? Historical dogma suggests no. Our recent data support that small HDL particles may exchange into the

September 11, 2021 No Comments