Mauricio Ruiz Soler

Research/Areas of Interest

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) -- the most prevalent dementia in the elderly -- is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Ab) plaques, neuroinflammation, and reduced memory and cognitive function. AD is associated with reduced cerebral perfusion and impaired cerebrovascular reactivity, which contributes to further accumulation of Ab plaques. Our previous studies suggest Pannexin1 (Panx1) -- a membrane channel that regulates ATP release, activating purinergic signaling cascades, influencing vascular reactivity and inflammation -- has an increased expression in the brain of an AD mouse model. Similarly, our other studies suggest that endothelial (EC) Panx1 regulates cerebral vascular tone. Therefore, the aim of my project is to assess EC Panx1’s role in modulating AD cognitive effects through Novel Object Recognition and Barnes Maze behavioral assays. I’ll also determine EC Panx1’s effects on cerebral perfusion, astrocyte and microglia activation, and leukocyte cerebral infiltration in our AD mouse model.