Short Course (June 2022)

Neurodegenerative Disorders: An Introduction to Neurobiology and Pharmacological Strategies

A free two-day short course designed to provide some fundamental knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

 

Thursday, June 9, 2022 (9:00am - 3:30pm)

Thursday, June 16, 2022 (9:00am - 11:00am)

Simons Auditorium, HBC, West Campus

 

For more information, contact Cady Bush, Adams Institute Program Manager

Short Course Instructors

photo of Filippo Caraci

Filippo Caraci

Professor of Pharmacology, Dept. of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania
Chief, Research Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute
Filippo Caraci Profile
photo of Giuseppe Caruso

Giuseppe Caruso

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania
Giuseppe Caruso Profile

The aim of this course was to discuss recent evidence on the neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) including the role of amyloid, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotrophic factors as well as immune cells in the pathogenesis of AD. A module entitled “Translational pharmacology in AD: focus on TGF-β1 pathway” was conducted by Prof. Filippo Caraci. Prof. Caruso then examined the current pharmacological treatment of AD as well as the new disease-modifying drugs developed to prevent the transition from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD. The last sub-section of the first day talked about the animal models of disease and drug repurposing. During the second day of the course, Prof. Caruso analyzed the novel approaches in drug discovery in AD field and in particular the therapeutic potential of the natural dipeptide carnosine.

Day 1: Thursday, June 9 from 9:00am - 3:30pm
(lunch break from 12:00 - 12:30pm; complimentary lunch provided to advance registrants)
  • Neurobiology of neurodegenerative disorders: focus on Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
    • Amyloid-β
    • Neuroinflammation
    • Oxidative stress
    • Microglia and macrophages activation/polarization
    • Neurotrophic factors
  • Translational pharmacology in AD: focus on TGF-β1 pathway (Prof. Caraci)
  • Pharmacological treatment of AD
    • Current strategies
    • Disease-modifying drugs: focus on immunotherapy
    • Animal models of disease & drug repurposing
Day 2: Thursday, June 16 from 9:00am - 11:00am
  • Drug discovery in AD: the therapeutic potential of the natural dipeptide carnosine
    • Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of carnosine in experimental models of AD
    • Therapeutic potential of carnosine/anserine supplementation against cognitive decline