Master project – Neuroglial network dynamics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Project:

Are you interested in playing a major role in deciphering:

• How does this fatal neurodegenerative disease, ALS, progress with aging?
• What happens to the upper and lower motor pathways during the disease progression?
• How the glymphatic system is modulated during the disease progression?

If you are curious to learn and answer these important questions in your thesis project this is the project for you! 

Why is it important to study Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable condition, characterized by degeneration of upper motor neurons (in the brain) and lower motor neurons (in the brainstem and spinal cord) leading to weaker muscles, paralysis and eventually death within 2-5 years. According to Lancet Neurology study, about 3.4 billion individuals were living with neurological conditions worldwide equating to 43.1% global population (Steinmetz et al, 2021) of which, over 331,000 individuals were suffering from ALS (Vos et al, 2017). Even though major symptoms of ALS constitute motor dysfunction, up to 50% patients develop cognitive impairment, 13% develop frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and the most common mutation occurs in superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene. Riluzole is the only effective and clinically used drugs globally to reduce glutamate mediated excitotoxicity and thus prolongs lifespan to approximately 3 months. However, the drug comes with side-effects which further compromises the quality of life of ALS individuals. 

What are we lacking in order to find an appropriate treatment for ALS?To find an effective treatment for ALS, we first need to understand what is happening to the neurons and glial cells at network level before the onset of disease and during the disease progression in the brain as well as the spinal cord. Revealing the progression of the disease at neuroglial network level with help understanding its complex mechanism.  

Here you will use an SOD1 mouse model of ALS. These mice carry mutations in the SOD1 gene which causes motor neuron degeneration and mimic various aspects of ALS in humans. You will use in vivo imaging (such as fiber photometry and 2-photon imaging) and in vitro assays to reveal the mechanistic changes at neuroglial network level in ALS.

Candidate: You are a motivated student with an interest in neurodegenerative diseases and interest in how the brain as well as the spinal cord work. You are curious to learn new skills and a team player. You are required to have a Felasa certificate and can communicate in English.

Contact: Send your CV to Jaspreet Kaur Daniil, Assistant Professor at Center for Translational Neuromedicine, email: jaspreet.kaur@sund.ku.dk