The Future of Aging

Neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases result from a progressive deterioration of functioning in the central nervous system. They can affect the brain, spinal cord or nerves. Examples of neurodegenerative diseases include Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease). Although each of these diseases involves different types of cells within the central nervous system, there are striking similarities in the way the diseases progress. One feature they share is that they usually show up late in life.

Research on neurodegenerative diseases has reached a critical crossroad. Scientists have identified the genetic mutations that cause or contribute to many of the major neurodegenerative disorders, and rapid advances are being made in understanding how these genes function.

Beeson Scholars researching Neurodegenerative diseases

Degenerative diseases

Andrew Lieberman, MD, PhD, University of Michigan: "Modifiers of Polyglutamine Toxicity"

Beeson Scholars researching Degenerative diseases

Liver Regeneration And The mTOR Signaling Pathway
Makau P. Lee, Jackson Medical Clinic (1996 Scholar)

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases Regulate Neurotrophin Function.
Frank M. Longo, Stanford University School of Medicine (1995 Scholar)

White Matter Change and CNS Process in the Elderly
Lisa C. Silbert, Oregon Health & Science University (2004 Scholar)

Modifiers of Polyglutamine Toxicity
Andrew P. Lieberman, University of Michigan Medical School (2004 Scholar)

Genomic and Genetic Analysis of Parkinson's Disease
Clemens R. Scherzer, Harvard Medical School (2004 Scholar)

Dopamine, Tyrosine, and their Metabolites in Aging in Neurodegenerative Disease
Alfred L. Fisher, University of Pittsburgh (2006 Scholar)

Collagen VI: Novel Mechanisms and Functions in Alzheimer's Disease
Dena Bou Dubal, University of California, San Francisco (2009 Scholar)