Chu Chen, Ph.D.

The research programs in Dr. Chen’s laboratory have been focusing on neuroinflammation in health and disease. Inflammation is now believed to be a common mechanism of disease.  Neuroinflammation has been implicated in many brain disorders/diseases, including epilepsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).  However, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation in the pathogeneses and neuropathology of neurodegenerative diseases is still limited.  Importantly, there are no effective therapies currently available to prevent development of neurodegenerative diseases or to halt disease progression.  To address these important issues, the current research emphasis in Dr. Chen’s laboratory is placed on exploring cellular, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms responsible for pathogenesis and neuropathology of AD and traumatic brain injury (TBI)-caused chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)/AD-like neuropathology and on identifying novel therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s disease and TBI-induced neurodegenerative disease.

Research Area: Neuroscience

Sub-field of Study: Neuroinflammation in health and disease

Specific Field of Study: Cellular, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases; Endocannabinoid signaling in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases

Research Techniques: Molecular biology, electrophysiological recordings, immunostaining, imaging, and behavioral tests 

Relevant Diseases: Alzheimer’s disease, TBI-induced neurodegenerative disease