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Doctors Alldred and Sears will walk us through their research findings on the brains of mice, rats, and humans. Dr. Alldred will present insights into the mechanisms and a potential treatment for cognitive decline in Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s. Meanwhile, Dr. Sears will explain how our brains switch from sensing threat to feeling safe, and why this sense of safety is so important and motivating
Linking Down Syndrome, Alzheimer’s Disease and Early Choline Supplementation
Melissa Alldred
(Research Scientist, Nathan Kline Institute)
Down syndrome, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, occurs in ~1/700 births. Life expectancy for individuals with Down syndrome have greatly increased, however, they now face a higher risk of age-related conditions including Alzheimer's disease. Our research showed age-related alterations in brain neuronal cells. We investigated the treatment, maternal choline supplementation, increasing choline during development, in a Down syndrome mouse model. This treatment improved cognitive and cellular function and may be a viable, cost-effective therapeutic for individuals with Down syndrome.
How Your Brain Senses Danger and Decides What to Do
Robert Sears
(Research Scientist, Nathan Kline Institute)
When danger is immediate, we react instinctively, freezing or bolting without a second thought. When a threat feels distant or predictable, the brain shifts into planning mode, weighing options and taking deliberate steps to stay safe. Much more is known about the brain systems behind instinctive responses than deliberate ones. In this talk, I will discuss our work exploring how the brain makes calculated "defensive decisions" and emerging evidence suggesting that the feeling of safety or relief is what motivates us to avoid danger in the first place.
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