{"id":23157,"date":"2020-09-08T21:35:27","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T01:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.inrs.ca\/?page_id=23157"},"modified":"2020-11-12T09:24:40","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T14:24:40","slug":"charron","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.inrs.ca\/en\/research\/research-chairs-groups-and-networks\/find-research-chairs-groups-and-networks\/louise-and-andre-charron-research-chair-on-alzheimer-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Louise and Andr\u00e9 Charron Research Chair on Alzheimer’s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


The number of people with Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD) is increasing every year. To fight it, efforts must focus on early detection, prevention, and the improvement of treatments. The Louise and Andr\u00e9 Charron Research Chair in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease will investigate these areas of research. It studies the role of oxidative stress in the development of AD and the biomarkers that precede the onset of symptoms.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alzheimer\u2019s disease (AD), an irreversible stage in the neurodegenerative process, affects over 35 million people worldwide, including more than 450,000 in Canada alone. Based on current data, if no action is taken, 65 million people will have the disease by 2030, and that number will grow to 115 million by 2050. In light of this situation, the National Institute on Aging<\/a>, Alzheimer’s Association<\/a>, and World Health Organization<\/a> are calling for increased efforts to develop means of prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, current pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer\u2019s disease often have serious side effects that can interrupt treatment and negatively affect patient quality of life. Since only a small amount of the medication reaches the brain, high doses are required, which increases the adverse effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Early detection of AD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To develop ways to prevent AD, the biomarkers characterizing the very first signs of the disease must be identified to enable early detection. Currently, 80% of the neurons involved in cognitive processing have already degenerated by the time the disease is diagnosed. This phase is irreversible and the goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms or, at best, slightly slow down the progression of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With access to patient groups with different cognitive statuses, the chair will research peripheral biomarkers that evolve with the disease and characterize the various phases leading to AD. These biomarkers represent a first step toward biochemical tools for early detection of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


More effective treatments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

AD patients also need treatments that improve their quality of life.<\/strong> The blood-brain barrier presents a challenge for reaching the brain structures being treated: It prevents most medications from working, since they are blocked outside the brain. Nanotechnology offers new opportunities, which will be explored by the chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certain nanoparticles cross the blood-brain barrier to reach neurons, so drugs could be attached to them for targeted delivery. This approach has many advantages\u2014in particular, it significantly reduces the required treatment dose and, by the same token, the peripheral side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The active molecules transported to the brain are not limited to drugs already used by AD patients. New avenues for action have been proposed to slow the disease by reducing oxidative stress in neurons. To this end, research will focus on polyphenols in food to determine their efficacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launched in 2012, the Louise and Andr\u00e9 Charron Research Chair in Alzheimer\u2019s Disease is funded by Armand-Frappier Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n