2017

The New Investigator Awards in Alzheimer's Disease


Hsiao-Ying Wey, PhD

Assistant Professor, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School

Imaging Epigenetic Mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease with PET/MRI

Growth and plasticity are critical for the developing brain and maintenance in the aging brain. These processes are affected in part by gene regulations including the action of epigenetic enzymes. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a family of epigenetic enzymes that dynamically regulate gene transcription by chemically modifying the DNA base and histones, the proteins that envelop DNA. In Dr. Wey’s proposal, research from diverse disciplines is converging to support the hypothesis that HDAC dysfunction can lead or contribute to brain disorders. The central hypothesis is that HDAC levels are higher in AD patients than matched healthy controls. The hypothesis will be tested in the human brain by using non-invasive MR-PET imaging. Dr. Wey will also assess the relationship between HDACs availability and neuronal function. As an exploratory goal, Dr. Wey hypothesizes that the increased level of HDACs is correlated with the reduction of neuronal connectivity metrics. The proposed research, if successful, will facilitate the development and application of novel therapeutics targeting epigenetic machinery, such as off-label use of clinically approved HDAC inhibitors, for treating AD.

More 2017 Recipients of this Grant

Congcong He, PhD

Role of Becn2 in modulation of cannabinoid signaling and Alzheimer’s disease

Arieh Moussaieff, PhD

Exploring the role and regulation of phospholipids in the AD brain.