Kevin Hascup Lab

This neurobiology of aging and Alzheimer’s disease lab is focused on understanding the biological mechanisms associated with successful aging to provide preventive strategies or therapeutic interventions to ameliorate cognitive decline.

    Overview

    Our laboratory takes a geroscience approach to understanding biological processes that contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. The long-term goals of our laboratory are to:

    1. identify nonpharmacological interventions that target insulin and glutamate signaling pathways that prevent or alleviate cognitive decline and
    2. elucidate their mechanisms of action in order to identify pharmacological targets for treating Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

    To address these goals, our laboratory has several ongoing research interests examining the contribution of body temperature, glutamatergic neurotransmission, and glucose homeostasis on cognitive decline in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease as well as extended longevity. These parameters are assessed by using innovative whole animal and molecular biological techniques to measure in vivo neurotransmitter dynamics, cognitive performance, and metabolism.

    Current projects

    •    Neurotransmitter dysregulation in AD (NIH R01 AG057767)
    •    Cell senescence in aging and AD (NIH R01 AG061937)
    •    COVID-19 Infection on AD (NIH R01 AG061937-S3)
    •    Core body temperature on AD pathogenesis
    •    Model organism development for AD, aging, and COVID-19
    •    Cell senescence in epilepsy

     

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    Grant funding

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    News

    Cell sensescence

    Going on the offensive: The potential link between cell senescence and Alzheimer's

    When you catch a cold or cut your finger, the immune system begins the healing process by clearing damaged cells. As we age, that process weakens. Health problems linger as immune systems aren’t quite as robust as they once were, whether it’s fighting bacteria, viruses, or cancer cells. Alzheimer’s researchers are now exploring a process called senescent cell accumulation to see if it could be detrimental.
    Hascup Lab

    ALS drug shows varying effects against Alzheimer’s, metabolism

    Effects are unique between males and femalesA recent study from the Hascup labs at SIU Medicine has shown how riluzole, a drug compound typically used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

    Black women at increased risk for Alzheimer’s

    Intentional community outreach first step in addressing issueDespite having an increased prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Black women often face barriers to health care, leading to

    Publications

    Sexual dimorphic metabolic and cognitive responses to Fisetin or Dasatinib and …
    Resistance to mild cold stress is greater in both wild-type and long-lived GHR-…
    Chronic, Mild Hypothermic Environmental Temperature does not Ameliorate Cogniti…
    Friend or Foe? Defining the Role of Glutamate in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease
    Full list of publications

    Lab Team

    Lab Collaborators

    Past Lab Team Members

    • Lindsay Alewelt
    • Matthew Cleveland, MD
    • MaKayla Cox
    • Nahayo Esperant-Hilaire, MD        
    • Tracy Evans, PhD
    • Caleigh Findley, PhD
    • Patrick Fitzgerald, MD
    • Thomas Johnston
    • Nadeem Khan, MD
    • Abigail Levy, MD
    • Erik Lokaitis
    • Neha Mokhasi
    • Oladele Owasoyo, PhD
    • Sujata Pandey
    • Collin Pauly
    • Teonna Piphus
    • Hannah Roberts
    • Lindsey Sime
    • Ernesto Solis, Jr., PhD
    • Aaron Sul, MD
    • Farah Tamizuddin, MD
    • Darrow Traylor
    • Niyant Vora
    • Bradley Vost, MD

    Team photos