Winter Research 2019

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A Novel Approach For Memory Improvement In Alzheimer’s Disease


The devastating effects Alzheimer’s disease has on memory and brain functioning are its most widely recognized symptom, but the exact causes that accelerate memory loss are not known. However, scientists think that a toxic protein, beta-amyloid, plays a vital role in disrupting how brain cells interact as Alzheimer’s progresses and symptoms become more pronounced.

Alzheimer’s Disease Research grantee Yingjun Zhao, PhD, a research assistant professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in California, has a certain perspective on what has gone wrong in the brain of someone experiencing dementia. “Most studies focus on memory formation, but people with Alzheimer’s have trouble both forming and keeping memories. Our work focuses on forgetting,” says Zhao. “We hope new leads for drug development will arise from this research, which will offer hope for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.”

Dr. Zhao is specifically studying the protein appoptosin, which regulates cell death. His earlier research showed the protein exists at higher levels in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Removing the protein slowed memory loss in mouse models—indicating it has therapeutic potential.

With support from an Alzheimer’s Disease Research grant, Dr. Zhao will advance his earlier findings to better understand the effects of increasing or decreasing appoptosin levels on brain function and whether reducing appoptosin levels can rescue brain function and memory deficits. Insights from his work could yield new therapeutic options for Alzheimer’s.
Says Dr. Zhao, “Unless we make progress toward understanding and reversing the effects of this disease, this could potentially have devastating effects on the quality of life in countless individuals. I would like to thank Alzheimer’s Disease Research and their donors for providing the support for this project, which will help us gain new understanding of the manifestation of memory deficits in Alzheimer’s.”