Gemma Casadesus Smith
Kent State University, USA
Title: Involvement of brain-based gonadotropin hormone signaling in neuroplasticity and cognition
Biography
Biography: Gemma Casadesus Smith
Abstract
The goal of my laboratory is to determine the chronology of appearance and interplay between pathological CNS events that underlie the loss of learning and memory function and neuronal plasticity during aging. Th e focus on my work is on Alzheimer’s Disease prevention/delay strategies, however, the basic understanding of mechanisms studied in my laboratory can be broadly translated to brain health strategies beyond AD such neuroprotection and repair. Particular focus is placed on understanding the basic mechanisms of peptide hormones such as leptin, amylin, estrogen and gonadotropins and how age-related changes in these metabolic and reproductive peptide and steroid hormones infl uence hippocampal function and plasticity and brain health. We use animal and cellular models and a broad variety of techniques including behavioral testing, histology, in vivo and in vitro viral and pharmacological delivery, imaging, and transgenic approaches to address these aims.