Restoring cortical function and plasticity for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by degeneration and dysfunction of the brain. In particular, a large folded expanse of the brain known as cortex is severely affected. Treatments for AD can aim at either stopping the degeneration or at maximizing the function of the remaining cortex. Here we proposed a new approach for the latter. We proposed to manipulate a specific cell type in cortex, known as VIP cells, which have the ability to regulate cortical function, plasticity, and blood flow. We have identified a molecular regulator that is uniquely expressed in VIP cells that provides a means to control these cells, and thereby cortex. We have been working to characterize the regulation of cortex by this pathway and establish it as a preclinical model for the enhancement of cortical function. If our hypotheses are correct, we will have identified a druggable pathway to enhance cognitive function in disease states