In simplistic terms, the brain and spinal cord are composed of gray matter formed by nerve cells (neurons), and white matter, which is mostly formed my myelin and myelin-producing cells called oligodendrocytes. The importance of myelin integrity and oligodendrocyte health has long been recognized in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as they are involved in proper neurological function. However, scientists and medical professionals are just starting to recognize that myelin and oligodendrocytes may regulate cognition, are perturbed in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, and can be targeted with MS remyelination therapies in mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders to restore proper function and behaviour.
Our lab is particularly interested in how oligodendrocytes are formed and maintained by neural stem cells during brain development and regeneration. In this light, we aim to achieve three major objectives that are important in MS and neurodevelopmental KBG syndrome:
1) We aim to discover new candidate molecules that can engage neural stem cells for enhanced oligodendrocyte production and remyelination in pre-clinical mouse models of MS;
2) We aim to understand whether the perturbations in oligodendrocytes or myelin are present in KBG syndrome using our mouse model of KBG syndrome and how these perturbations may contribute to aberrant cognition and behaviour;
3) We aim to determine whether candidate molecules from our MS research arm can be used in our pre-clinical mouse model of KBG syndrome for restoration of myelination and behaviour.
In summary, we hope our efforts in learning how neural stem cells decide to form oligodendrocytes will be translated into clinical trials and have meaningful impacts on patients with KBG syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis.
More information on these and additional projects related to Multiple Sclerosis and KBG syndrome can be found on dedicated pages below. In addition, we have recorded videos on some of our MS and KBG syndrome research projects (available on Youtube):
07/2023: Regenerating the brain one molecule at a time
05/2023: MS Research Update - Fractalkine as Potential Therapeutic for MS
06/2022: KBG syndrome research
07/2021: Researchers Identify a Novel Molecule that Enhances Production of Myelin-Forming Cells in the Brain