Philanthropy Donation to Pathology Professor in Search of New Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Treatments

A new research lab, working under the auspices of Department of Pathology Professor Dan Meruelo, Ph.D., will focus on the development of therapeutic drugs that might help prevent Alzheimer's disease or at least ameliorate its devastating effects. The multi-year project, part of a larger research study on Alzheimer's disease and its treatment, is made possible through a generous and significant donation by a philanthropy donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that currently afflicts more than five million Americans. The protein-misfolding disease destroys brain cells, causing severe problems with memory, cognition, and personality traits. At the present time no cure exists, but treatments for symptoms, in combination with the right services and support, can make conditions for those living with this debilitating disease more tolerable. Recent studies from the Meruelo lab suggest that Laminin receptors (LamR) play a significant part in the development of Alzheimer's disease and Meruelo and his team have concentrated their research efforts towards a full understanding of the role of these protein components and the possibility of treatments based on the lab's findings.