BUSCHE LAB
UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL
UNDERSTANDING AND REPAIRING PATHOLOGICAL NEURAL CIRCUITS IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA
WHAT WE DO
Our main research interest is to understand the molecular, cellular and circuit underpinnings of memory loss and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. We seek to understand how the proteins that accumulate in the Alzheimer brain, tau and amyloid, impair the function of individual neurons and large-scale circuits and how these alterations are related to disease progression. For that purpose, we are studying Alzheimer’s disease using a variety of in vitro and in vivo approaches including one and multiphoton microscopy, electrophysiology, optogenetics and wide-field network imaging in combination with molecular and cell biological techniques. In doing so, we hope to contribute to solving the complicated problem of Alzheimer’s disease and accelerate a cure for this devastating disease.
THEMES
We use high resolution structural and functional imaging techniques to investigate activity and pathology in models of Alzheimer's disease
We use Neuropixels probes and patch clamping to record electrophysiological activity in vivo and in vitro in models of Alzheimer's disease
We link our functional data to changes in cognition and behaviour to link pathology and circuit impairment with symptoms of disease
We work closely with patients, use patient-derived iPSCs, and trial new drugs and therapies to translate our work to a clinical setting
“Our central goal is to deepen our understanding of the molecular, cellular and circuit mechanisms that result in memory loss and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, and to develop targeted treatments to halt disease progression and improve clinical symptoms.”
– Marc Aurel Busche, M.D., Ph.D.