Environment and Disease: The Effect of Heavy Metal Ions on Huntington’s Disease

Location

Science Center, K209

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-26-2013 1:30 PM

End Date

4-26-2013 2:30 PM

Abstract

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychological impairments. Although HD is mainly a genetic disorder, emerging studies have reported the contribution of environmental factors, including heavy metals, pesticides, and toxins in modulating age-of-onset, severity, and symptomology of the disease. The current project is aimed at investigating the effects of heavy metals on the most vulnerable cells in the brain, medium spiny neurons. I examine the effects of manganese (Mn) on cell viability in mouse cells. My preliminary results demonstrate a unique neuroprotective gene-environment interaction between the unhealthy brain cells and Mn exposure.

Notes

Session I, Panel 5: Metals/Models/Method: Notes on Environmental Exposure, Climatology, and Geochemical Dating Techniques
Moderator: Dennis Hubbard, Professor of Geology

Major

Neuroscience

Advisor(s)

Mark Bradford, Neuroscience

Project Mentor(s)

Gunnar Kwakye, Neuroscience

April 2013

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Apr 26th, 1:30 PM Apr 26th, 2:30 PM

Environment and Disease: The Effect of Heavy Metal Ions on Huntington’s Disease

Science Center, K209

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychological impairments. Although HD is mainly a genetic disorder, emerging studies have reported the contribution of environmental factors, including heavy metals, pesticides, and toxins in modulating age-of-onset, severity, and symptomology of the disease. The current project is aimed at investigating the effects of heavy metals on the most vulnerable cells in the brain, medium spiny neurons. I examine the effects of manganese (Mn) on cell viability in mouse cells. My preliminary results demonstrate a unique neuroprotective gene-environment interaction between the unhealthy brain cells and Mn exposure.