Funded Studies
There is a growing appreciation that immune responses can significantly improve neuronal survival after injury or in neurodegenerative diseases. Immune-deficient mice have reduced neurorepair responses compared to wildtype mice. Recent studies have shown that immunization with brain proteins can be used to induce neuroprotective immune responses. We will evaluate whether such immunizations can protect dopaminergic neurons in the MPTP pre-clinical model of Parkinson's disease.