DANIEL M. MICHAELSON, PhD

based in Tel-Aviv, Israel

Dr. Michaelson is working on the mechanisms underlying the role of genetic and environmental risk factors of Alzheimer's disease. His research focuses on apolipoprotein E  (apoE) and on the study of the mechanisms underlying the phenotypic expression of the apoE genotype. These studies have demonstrated i) that mice transgenic for the  apoE4 genotype, an Alzheimer disease risk factor, are particularly susceptible to head injury and that this is due to both a toxic function of the apoE4 genotype and to the lack of the protective action of the other genotypes, ii) that the apoE4 genotype blocks the synaptic and cognitive improvements that are induced by environmental stimulation, and iii) that the pathological effects of the apoE genotype are associated with alterations in processing of the amyloid precursor protein and with impaired translocation of exogenous lipids into neuronal cultures.

Key words: Apolipoprotein, ApoE4, genotype/phenotype relation, toxicity, synaptic and cognitive function, plasticity, environmental stimulation, amyloid beta protein precursor protein, lipids, animal models

Dr. Michaelson articles at PubMed | Dr.Michaelson Departmental web page | Dr.Michaelson editorial contact