Overview
There is an urgent need to prevent and treat diseases of the brain. Salk scientists are working to better understand how the brain develops and uncover the molecular drivers of neurological and psychological conditions to spur the development of more effective therapeutics.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive nervous system disease that attacks motor neurons controlling voluntary movement, leading to paralysis and muscle atrophy. Treatments are limited, and there are no cures for ALS. At Salk, we are uncovering the origins of the disease, from identifying genetic mutations linked to the disorder to explaining how it damages the neural circuits that facilitate movement.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but it is not a normal part of aging. It causes memory loss and cognitive issues that interfere with daily life. There are no cures for this progressive, ultimately fatal disease, which affects more than six million Americans. At Salk, we are searching for the root causes of Alzheimer’s, exploring how aging cells within the brain, along with genetic mutations and abnormal proteins, contribute to the disorder.
Professor
Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory
Director, Genomic Analysis Laboratory
Occasional bouts of anxiety are a normal part of life, but persistent worry or fear can negatively affect a person's health and interfere with daily activities. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States––affecting one-sixth of the adult population––but they are also complex, involving a range of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and trauma. Salk scientists are demystifying the wiring and firing of the brain to uncover what goes awry in anxiety disorders. Their findings may help inform the development of new treatments for anxiety.
Professor
Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Integrative Biology Laboratory
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder caused by differences in the brain. Autism ranges widely in severity, but people with autism often experience problems with social communication and repetitive behaviors. At Salk, we are working to decipher what causes autism by exploring differences in brain function, genetics, and brain cell communication.
Professor
Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory
Director, Genomic Analysis Laboratory
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. At Salk, we are exploring how the brain cells of a person with bipolar disorder differ in their genetic makeup and how they connect and communicate with one another. We are studying how the brain processes information to control mood to better understand how bipolar disorder disrupts this ability.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Salk scientists are examining the brain cells and neural circuits involved in depression to better understand what causes this condition and find better ways to treat it.
While the brain’s message-sending neurons are fundamental to brain function, so too are the cells that support them—glia. Glia constitute the majority of human brain cells and have recently emerged as active players in healthy brain function. Glia are critically involved in many injuries and diseases, including spinal-cord injury, glioma, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and more. Salk scientists ask fundamental questions about these support cells to enrich our understanding of how our brains function and how we can tackle dysfunction in injury and disease.
Professor
Genomic Analysis Laboratory, Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory
Director, Genomic Analysis Laboratory
Huntington’s disease is an inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain responsible for movement and behavior. There is no cure, and treatment options are limited. Additionally, individuals with Huntington’s disease have a 50 percent chance of passing this fatal disease on to their children. Salk scientists are using leading-edge technology to map the brain centers affected by the disease and uncover the genetic and molecular drivers.
Parkinson’s disease is an age-related brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance. The disease is linked to reduced levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a molecule critical for brain function. Current treatment options are limited, and there is no cure. At Salk, we are identifying the mutated genes and proteins involved in Parkinson’s disease and tracing how these factors damage the brain. We are also charting the brain centers altered by Parkinson’s disease to understand how to block or even reverse the effects of this condition.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects a person’s perception of reality. People with schizophrenia experience hallucinations, paranoia, and anxiety. Salk scientists are examining how altered genes, neurons, and information-processing circuits in the brain give rise to schizophrenia. Their findings will hopefully lead to new therapeutics that target the causes of schizophrenia.
Professor
Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Integrative Biology Laboratory
A spinal cord injury occurs when there is damage to the nerves of the spinal cord. Serious injuries can impair movement, limit sensation, and result in partial or total paralysis. Salk scientists are studying how nerves form connections between the brain and limbs. They are also searching for ways to generate new nerves to replace those damaged in spinal cord injury.
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