Natalia Vergara, PhD, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, discusses the pathophysiological link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). TBI in early life increases the risk of developing AD, but the precise mechanisms and reasons for this are unknown. Some hypothesized mechanisms include TBI-induced inflammation, tau phosphorylation and oxidative damage. Dr Vergara discusses research aiming to ascertain the biological mechanisms which occur when TBI happens in early life and whether these mechanisms could lead to an increased risk of AD. Additionally, Dr Vergara hopes to determine whether TBI causes AD or whether it accelerates or exacerbates the onset. Studies will first be performed in rats, and then these hypothesized mechanisms will be explored in retinal organoid models to investigate how these pathways affect AD phenotypes in this system. This interview took place at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022 in San Diego, CA.
