Orly Lazarov, PhD
Professor
Program Director, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Training Program
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Contact
Building & Room:
COMRB 6053
Office Phone:
Fax:
Lab
Building & Room:
COMRB 6048
Email:
Related Sites:
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We investigate the molecular and cellular processes underlying cognition and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. Particularly, we examine the role of hippocampal neurogenesis and experience-induced plasticity in learning and memory function and failure.
About
Our research is aimed at understanding the mechanism underlying cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease. My lab focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms of hippocampal plasticity, particularly hippocampal neurogenesis in relation to behavior, cognition and Alzheimer’s disease. Our pioneer work has revealed that hippocampal neurogenesis is defective in Alzheimer’s disease, which in turn, compromises hippocampal structure and function, leading to impaired learning and memory. Recent studies at our lab discovered that molecular signaling critical for learning and memory , namely the cAMP Response Element Binding protein (CREB) is compromised in the brains and blood of mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and in human patients, suggesting new biomarker and drug discovery paths. In addition, we were the first to show that lifestyle and environmental factors play a major role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In that regard, our recent studies examine molecular mechanisms underlying type 2 diabetes and stroke as risk factors for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.