During the last decade, there has been significant progress in understanding the pathophysiology of dementia. Although several candidate disease-modifying drugs against dementia including Alzheimer's disease have been developed, clinical trials using these disease-modifying drugs have been failed to show the clinical efficacy. Considering that degenerative dementia develops the symptoms after long asymptomatic silent phase over decade, we need to establish biomarkers that enable the very early detection of the pathological process occurring in the brain. The aim of uor research is the development and clinical application of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for degenerative dementia. In addition to CSF biomarkers, we have explored blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease that is less invasive and simple to perform in clinical practice. The other goal of our group is to elucidate the susceptible genes for dementia by comprehensive genome-wide analysis using next generation sequencer. In order to facilitate biomarker and genetics researches, we have established research consortium to collect large number of biofluid samples and genomic DNAs from patients with dementia by the collaboration with many clinical sites across Japan. Thus, we are working to translate research advances into improved diagnosis and therapeutics for patients with dementia and to find a way to cure and possibly prevent dementia.
| Prof. | Takeshi IKEUCHI |
|---|---|
| Assoc. Prof. | Akinori MIYASHITA |
| Assist. Prof. | Kensaku KASUGA |
| Specially Appointed Assist. Prof. | Norikazu HARA |
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