Research

According to the United Nations, the majority of the world’s population is growing older, in 2000, 10% of the total population of the world was over 60 years old and is projected to increase to 21% by 2050. The single most important societal threat to the aging population is the cognitive decline resulting in loss of dignity, independence, and enormous pressure for resources.
 
The Jadavji Laboratory investigates neurological diseases associated with aging using an interdisciplinary approach to tackle these complicated human health problems. Other areas of research include maternal nutrition contributions to offspring neurodevelopment and neurological diseases (e.g. stroke and vascular dementia). Our translational research uses model systems to understand functional outcome, mechanisms, and potential therapeutics. 

​​To answer these scientific questions the Jadavji laboratory uses different tools, including rodent to model diseases, behavioral testing, in vitro and in vivo techniques

Rodent models of disease

• Photothrombosis to model  ischemic stroke
• Chronic hypoperfusion and transgenic mice to model vascular cognitive impairment and dementia, a type of small vessel disease

Functional assessments 

• Memory Function
  • Novel Object Recognition
  • Morris water maze
  • Y-maze

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• Motor Function
  • Skilled reaching
  • Ladder beam walking
  • Accelerating rotarod
  • Gait analysis (footprint)

 

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In vitro  and in vivo techniques

• Primary neurons and astrocytes
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Research Funding