Funded Grants

Impairments in social cognition (SC), such as difficulties in understanding emotions, social cues, and maintaining meaningful interactions, are key contributors to the loss of social inclusion and quality of life in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases (ND).

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease that damages nerve cells controlling movement, and many patients also experience major changes in how their bodies use energy.

Contribution of stress-associated neurovascular alterations in Parkinson’s disease and high rates of depression

The Role of the Hypocretin-Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Circuit in Chronic Social Isolation and Acute Social Stress

Feasibility RCT of a digital tool for management of bulbar disease in ALS.

Regardless of disease etiology, ~97% of ALS patients display TDP-43 pathology. TDP-43 is an RNA-binding protein that is involved in the cellular stress response. Following a stressor, TDP-43 translocates to the cytosol and is thought to be protective. However, with chronic stress and/or ALS-relevant mutations TDP-43 is depleted from the nucleus by translocating to the cytosol, where it ultimately aggregates.

Sofia Gentile, a Master’s Student at University of Toronto, is investigating the role of immune cell activation in a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease called progressive supranuclear palsy.

Contribution of stress-associated neurovascular alterations in Parkinson’s disease and high rates of depression