Researchers at North Carolina Central University are making significant strides in the quest to combat Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease accounts for approximately 80% of dementia cases and is the sixth leading cause of death among U.S. adults. With no cure available, the NCCU Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise team focuses on two critical areas: slowing disease progression and enhancing early detection.
Slowing Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is characterized by the buildup of two harmful proteins, Amyloid-beta and Tau, that damage brain cells and lead to memory loss. Dr. Gordon Ibeanu is the chair of pharmaceutical sciences and interim director at BRITE. He emphasizes the importance of finding ways to slow the progression of the disease. “If we can slow down how fast it progresses by 10 to 20 years, Alzheimer’s will be more of a chronic disorder rather than a life-threatening disease,” Dr. Ibeanu said. “That has been the research objective of my group.”
Ibeanu’s research group employs a dual approach to targeting neuroprotection: identifying molecules that can shield brain cells from Amyloid-beta-induced damage and examining enzymes called Sirtuins, which may regulate aging.
By using artificial intelligence to screen potential compounds for their efficacy in triggering SIRT1 activation, researcher Adekunle Rowaiye aims to streamline the discovery process. “It reduces time, cost, and labor instead of randomly testing chemical compounds in the laboratory,” Rowaiye said.
Detecting the Disease Early
Simultaneously, researchers are working to develop early detection methods recognizing that Alzheimer’s can take 10 to 20 years to manifest. Dr. Ling Wu and Dr. Bin Xu are investigating biological markers, particularly Tau proteins, which could potentially enable early blood tests. With substantial funding from the National Institutes of Health and North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Xu’s team is leveraging technology to enhance detection capabilities.
NCCU’s research is critical as the incidence of Alzheimer’s rises in the U.S., particularly among underrepresented African Americans.
