Bahareh Ajami, PhD
Oregon Health & Science University
Microglia regulation of selective neuronal vulnerability associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Project Renewed)
Motor neurons are the cells affected in ALS. In most cases, group of motor neurons controlling eye movements are spared. It is unclear why some motor neurons are selectively spared in ALS. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, directly interact with motor neurons and have been implicated in ALS pathogenesis. Here, we will investigate the role of microglia in selective motor neuron death in ALS with the goal of providing a potential target for novel therapeutic strategies.