Our goal is to clarify the optimal way to treat Alzheimer�fs disease (AD). Our department is divided into the two sections of basic and clinical research. In the former section, we have focused on tau-based drug discoveries, so we use tau transgenic mice created by us. We discovered evidence for axonal transport dysfunction in the mice, and we are now investigating which tau protein modification is responsible other than tau phosphorylation. If we identify it, we are going to establish treatment for the modification. We consider that tau immunotherapy might be beneficial, although amyloid immunotherapy is not able to reduce AD progression in AD patients. In addition, we use neuroimaging techniques such as magenetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) to visualize the degenerative process in tau transgenic mice. Comparison of the histochemical and neuroimaging results will identify the cause of degeneration.
In our clinical research, we have conducted a clinical trial of a unique exercise involving patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Juntendo University hospital. We also treat MCI patients with depression. Furthermore, we are going to establish a serum surrogate marker for Alzheimer's disease.
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