Human stem cell models of Alzheimer's disease

Dementia is a major healthcare challenge that currently affects about 36 million people worldwide. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, accounting for over 60 per cent of cases, yet there are currently no licensed drugs that modify the course of the disease. Dr Livesey plans to build on his previous work, which led to the development of stem cell models of AD, to generate insights into AD initiation, progression and therapeutic intervention. Specifically, he will investigate how AD progresses and spreads through the human nervous system, and how AD affects neuronal function at the synapse and network level. He will also study AD-associated genetic variants and how these contribute to disease initiation and progression in sporadic, late-onset AD. By examining the causes and mechanisms of AD initiation and progression, it is hoped that these can be reversed and that new therapeutic interventions can be developed.