Given the global aging population, Alzheimer’s Disease will become a significant global health issue. Therefore, this webinar will bring together emerging early-career neuroscientists to discuss the latest advancements in understanding and detecting the disease. Dr. Mychael Lourenco will share his latest findings on metabolic factors associated with cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease. Following that, Dr. Ha Thi Thanh Huong will share the potential of circulating cell-free RNA in pathological processes and as early diagnosis biomarkers.
Attendees will have the opportunity to join in for discussion (Q&A) as well as to receive an e-certificate of attendance. We look forward to welcoming you!
Organization:
This webinar is being organized by the IBRO Early Career Committee (IBRO-ECC). The committee aims to facilitate the professional development and growth of early-career neuroscientists on a global scale. Its primary focus is to equip researchers with the necessary resources, guidance, and opportunities required to enhance their skills, knowledge, and networks. As part of the committee’s ongoing activities, it organizes webinars featuring early-career researchers from different continents.
Global Neuroscience Horizons Webinar, IBRO-ECC edition:
Latest Advancements in Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Date: 28 March 2024
Time: 08:00 (BRT) | 11:00 (GMT) | 12:00 (CET) | 18:00 (ICT) | 21:00 (AEST)
Speakers
Dr. Mychael Lourenco
- Assistant Professor of Neuroscience – Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Mychael Lourenco received his B.Sc. degree in Genetics (2010), his MSc (2012) and PhD (2016) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He further conducted postdoctoral training at the same university. He was a visiting collaborator at Columbia University (New York) and is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at the Institute of Medical Biochemistry (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). Mychael has experience in cellular and molecular neuroscience and is interested in molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. Research in the lab aims to establish the mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in dementia and propose potential targets for effective intervention.
Metabolic factors associated with cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease
Summary: Metabolic signals have emerged as key players regulating molecular pathways, neural circuits and cognition. Therefore, understanding metabolic defects may result in novel approaches to treat cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-linked dementia. Dr. Lourenco will discuss experimental findings supporting that reductions in metabolic modulators, such as irisin or lipoxin, impairs memory in rodents. Furthermore, he will present evidence that changes in these metabolic mediators associate with impaired memory in humans affected by dementia. Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of adequate metabolic signalling to preserve cognition in rodents and humans, and support further investigation on these mediators as potential biomarkers for cognitive impairment.
Dr. Ha Thi Thanh Huong
- Chair, Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
- School of Biomedical Engineering, International University
- Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam
Lecturer of the School of Biomedical Engineering, International University, VNU – HCMC. Motivated by a family history of mental disorders, Huong became intrigued in the human brain functions and their dysregulation. During college, her academic journey involved studying cervical cancer and HIV-associated neurological disorders. At Stanford University, Huong’s research was focused on the molecular system related to autism and the cellular and network deficits underlying epilepsy. Returning to Vietnam, she founded the Brain Health Lab, utilising AI and MRI-based Alzheimer’s detection and lab-on-a-chip assay for stress detection. For the future direction, she will continue to exploit the potential of these tools in neuro -science and -engineering, as well as develop novel products for clinical use.
Plasma cell-free RNA Profiling of Vietnamese Alzheimer’s patients reveals a linkage with chronic inflammation and apoptosis: a pilot study
Summary: Circulating cell-free RNA (cf-RNA) holds promise as an early diagnostic marker for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), revealing insights into pathological processes. While cf-RNA profiles in Caucasian AD patients are well-studied, this research addresses the gap in the ASEAN groups. Analysing 20 Vietnamese samples (10 probable AD cases and 10 age-matched controls), they identified 136 significant AD genetic hallmarks. Notably, genes associated with chronic inflammation were upregulated, while apoptotic markers shifted significantly. Three out of five co-expressed modules were significantly correlated with Alzheimer’s status. Fifteen hub genes were associated with inflammation, apoptosis, and signalling, indicating their potential role as AD key drivers.
Chairs
Dr. Jacque Pak Kan Ip
IBRO-ECC member
Dr. Jacque Pak Kan Ip is an assistant professor at the School of Biomedical Sciences at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. His lab focuses on investigating synaptic plasticity mechanisms in rodents and exploring their contributions to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. His lab utilizes rodent behaviors, two-photon imaging, and molecular approaches to examine these mechanistic defects. Jacque was a recipient of the IBRO Rita Levi-Montalcini Research Fellowship and actively participates in the ALBA Network, advocating for diversity and inclusion in neuroscience.
X: @JQIpLab
Dr. Lin Kooi Ong
IBRO-ECC member
Dr. Lin Kooi Ong is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science and Medical Sciences Discipline Team Leader within School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He leads the Translational Neurorecovery Laboratory and is an emerging early/mid-career researcher in the field of translational stroke recovery research. His multidisciplinary research focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of post-stroke cognitive impairment and secondary neurodegeneration, as well as development of therapeutic targets for brain recovery. He is also interested in stress management programs and biomarkers.
X: @DrLinOng
Dr. Manuella Kaster
IBRO-ECC member
Dr. Manuella Kaster is Professor of Biochemistry and leader of the research group Translational Neuroscience at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research integrates basic and clinical neuroscience to elucidate molecular and behavioral mechanisms associated with stress resilience and mood disorders.
Instagram: @neuro_translacional
IBRO Neuroscience Reports mini-series:
Spotlight on scientific advances by early-career neuroscientists
In addition to this webinar, the IBRO Early Career Committee is also calling for papers for a new mini-series to be publised on IBRO Neuroscience Reports, “Spotlight on scientific advances by early-career neuroscientists”, organized in two volumes: