Neurodegenerative Diseases

As the brain ages, many changes occur. Cells become damaged, change shape and die. The brain shrinks in weight and volume. Complex interactions between brain cells are altered. The result can be subtle – or dramatic – changes in memory, mood, decision-making and movement.

Research and clinical research related to the aging nervous system focuses on the causes of, and treatments for, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.

Institute researchers are pursuing projects that include:

Nationally networked clinical trials for drugs and vaccines for Alzheimer's disease

• The Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Center at Rhode Island Hospital
• Butler Hospital Memory & Aging Program

Biomarkers for Parkinson's disease

• Steve Salloway
• Robert Reenan
• Mark Zervas

New imaging techniques to understand Alzheimer's cause and progression

• The Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Center at Rhode Island Hospital
• Paul Malloy
• Molecular links between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease

Team

• Suzanne de la Monte, MD, MPH, neuropathologist, Rhode Island Hospital; professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

• Sean Deoni, PhD, assistant professor, School of Engineering, Brown University

• Joseph Friedman, MD, chief, Movement Disorders Program, Butler Hospital; professor and chief, Movement Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

• Petra Klinge, MD, PhD, attending neurosurgeon, Rhode Island Hospital; co-director, hydrocephalus research center, Butler Hospital; associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

• Paul Malloy, PhD, director of psychology and co-director, Memory and Aging Program, Butler Hospital; professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

• Brian Ott, MD, co-director, Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center, Rhode Island Hospital; professor in the Department of Neurology, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

• Robert Reenan, PhD, professor in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University

• Stephen Salloway, MD, director of neurology and director, Memory and Aging Program, Butler Hospital; professor in the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

• Geoffrey Tremont, PhD, director, Neuropsychology Program, Rhode Island Hospital; associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

• Mark Zervas, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University