Research Projects

The list of genes contributing to increased risk of developing Alzheimers Disease (AD) grows every year. To date, large case-control Genome-Wide Association Studies have found 98 genetic loci associated with late-onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD). However, apart from a small number of genes related to familial cases, it remains largely unknown the...

This project aims at predicting early cognitive decline using a neurofeedback performance endophenotype based on realtime functional magnetic resonance imaging in a population at risk for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). It has been proven that AD biomarkers change decades before the development of symptoms. In addition, there is a lack of robust...

This fellowship will provide a prolific researcher with an internationally competitive, multi-disciplinary research training at the Chemistry/Biology interface in an EU leading Bioinorganic chemistry team, preparing her to obtain her goal of a faculty position in the EU and her own research team in Medicinal Chemistry. She will develop novel anti...

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a central redox cofactor and the limiting substrate of key metabolic enzymes. The constellation of cellular functions in which NAD+ is involved makes its availability critical for cell survival, and its depletion is a leading factor in a number of diseases in humans, ranging from rare inherited defects to...

The search for effective therapies and early detection strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the major cause of dementia in Europe, is imperative. It is known that β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide plays a central role in neurodegeneration. In AD brain, Aβ is released in a soluble form that progressively becomes insoluble forming aggregates; extracellular...

Medical diagnosis is currently undergoing a major revolution due to the fast discovery of molecular biomarkers, and the development of multimodal “metabiomarker” signatures. Progress, however, is hindered by low abundance of many biomarkers of interest in body fluids, in absolute concentration and with regard to other biomolecules. The aim of the...

The need: Today, although over 6M people suffer from Parkinson's and related diseases worldwide we have no objective early diagnostic test. By the time patients present the symptoms that lead to diagnosis the disease is already very advanced and the options for treatment extremely limited. This has an enormous impact on cost of care and an even...

To the date there is no accurate scale to quantitatively measure motor dysfunction in neurological movement disorders. Doctors heavily relay on the information provided by the patients themselves. Objective data concerning the patient’s actual movements or seizures during their ordinary day would be very valuable for the doctors. The current common...

Brain plasticity and neuronal network oscillations are crucial brain processes that depend on the timing precision of neuronal activity. These processes change during healthy brain development and are disrupted early on Alzheimers disease (AD) with controversies on the onset of their impairment. Thus, comprehensive studies of plasticity considering...

Studies reported that bilingualism strengths executive functions in elderly and delays the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) onset for five years. These findings suggest that bilingualism enhances the cognitive reserve (CR). CR is a construct that includes a set of cognitively stimulating experiences (e.g. high education level, high occupational status)...

Cerebral autoregulation and neurovascular coupling have a critical role in sustaining brain activity and preventing irreversible damage. Yet, despite revolutionary advances in neuroimaging methods questions remain on the relation and reciprocal interactions between cerebral hemodynamics (blood flow, oxygenation, vascular regulation) and neuronal...

NEKI is a technological company created by seasoned entrepreneurs from different fields like Programming, Marketing and Management. We brought our expertise to this company in order to implement advanced safety solutions for person location and real time communication to relatives or health professionals. Alzheimer and other cognitive impairments...