Laboratory of Memory Disorders
Laboratory Director
Dr. Philippe Marambaud's research focuses on the molecular basis of neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). His laboratory studies the early biochemical changes leading to the formation of two classic lesions of the AD brain, the senile plaques and the neurofibrillary tangles. The scientists in his lab have developed genetic, molecular and cell-biology methods for the purification and analysis of the core components of these lesions, the amyloid-beta peptides and the hyperphosphorylated tau. They are also studying the central role of presenilins and presenilin-interacting proteins in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and cadherin processing and signaling, and the mechanisms by which AD-linked presenilin mutations interfere with these pathways.
Biochemical and cell biology studies of human brain tissues are complemented by cell culture systems and protein analysis. Dr. Marambaud's research also involves expression in cultured cells of APP and tau constructs and analysis of transgenic laboratory models of amyloid accumulation.
The team has recently identified CALHM1, a novel risk gene for late-onset AD. Dr. Marambaud is principal investigator of grants from the Alzheimer's Association, the Institute for the Study of Aging, and NCCAM at the National Institutes of Health.