Memory Ride Grant Boosts Alzheimer’s Research

September 13, 2007 – 9:15 pm | posted in Alzheimers / Dementia

Newton resident Benjamin Wolozin, MD, PhD, a professor of pharmacology at Boston University School of Medicine, was one of nine Massachusetts researchers to receive a 2007 Memory Ride Grant from the Alzheimer’s Association. Wolozin received a three-year investigator-initiated research grant for nearly $240,000 to study LRRK2 interactions with pathways linked to protein folding and degradation.

The LRRK2 gene provides instructions for making a protein called dardarin. The LRRK2 gene is active in the brain and other tissues throughout the body, but little is known about this gene or the dardarin protein. Mutations in LRRK2 are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson’s Disease. Disease-related mutations in LRRK2 occur at many sites. The prevalence of LRRK2 mutations among subjects with Parkinson’s Disease combined with the relevance to multiple types of pathologies emphasizes the importance of LRRK2, according to Wolozin.

“Understanding the biology of LRRK2 will provide insight into pathological processes and novel therapeutic approaches for a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases,” said Wolozin.

Wolozin serves as the primary investigator for several studies at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center. His interests focus on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

ShareThis

Also Read

  • A Ride for Three Reasons
  • Selective Amnesia — How A Traumatic Memory Can Be Wiped Out
  • Potential Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment Discovered In Wales, UK
  • Alzheimer’s Disease Progression And High Blood Pressure Or Irregular Heartbeat Linked
  • Alzheimer’s Society comments on ‘Love’s Farewell’ - a film about Dementia
  • Oscar-Nominated Actress Returns With Acclaimed Depiction Of Alzheimer’s Disease, UK
  • Oscar-Nominated Actress Returns With Acclaimed Depiction Of Alzheimer’s Disease, UK
  • Complaints About Memory Are Associated With Alzheimer-Related Brain Damage
  • Memory Pharmaceuticals Completes Enrollment In Phase 2a MEM 1003 Alzheimer’s Disease Trial
  • What Memories Are Made Of: Researcher Uses A Comparative Approach To Study Plasticity Of Recall

    • You must be logged in to post a comment.