Funded projects

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  Mikayla Chetty

  University of Auckland

  Doctoral scholarship - $166,174 - Funding Round: 2024 B

  Microglial Regulation of Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity and Astrocyte Function in Alzheimer’s Disease

  Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, projected to affect 70,000 New Zealanders by the end of this decade. AD leads to severe cognitive decline and significantly impacts patients' quality of life, as well as that of their families. Inflammation is widespread in AD. Microglia, the brain’s immune cells, play a central role in this inflammation, which can worsen the disease. Additionally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which normally protects the brain, becomes damaged. This research project will uncover how microglia impact the BBB and contribute to AD progression, revealing new mechanisms for future treatments.