Harnessing Lipid Biology to Modify Risk for Neurodegenerative Disease

Alzheimer’s disease and several other neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the dysregulation of lipids. Our lab is interested in investigating the role of lipids in mediating risk and resilience to neurodegenerative diseases. We have discovered that neutral lipid homeostasis plays a central role in modulating glial function and that these same lipid pathways are perturbed by isoforms of the neurodegenerative disease-associated factor, apolipoprotein E (APOE). By changing the cellular lipid state, we can modulate disease-relevant cellular functions, providing a potential new avenue for preventative or therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.