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Spider Research by Fabian-Fine, DeWitt, et al. Yields Alzheimer’s Insights, Verve Times Reports

December 4, 2024 by Lucy Gardner Carson

(DECEMBER 4, 2024) Researchers from Saint Michael’s College and the Larner College of Medicine have made a groundbreaking new discovery—guided by previous research of spider brains—that provides a better understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops in the human brain, according to Verve Times.

Ruth Fabian-Fine, Ph.D., director of the neuroscience program at Saint Michael’s College and associate professor of pharmacology at the Larner College of Medicine, studies the neurology of spiders. (Photo: Saint Michael’s College)

(DECEMBER 4, 2024) Researchers from Saint Michael’s College and the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine have made a groundbreaking new discovery—guided by previous research of spider brains—that provides a better understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops in the human brain, according to Verve Times.

The findings, published by the Journal of Comparative Neurology, offer a compelling new explanation for commonly described brain pathologies observed in Alzheimer’s disease. With over 50 million affected people worldwide, Alzheimer’s disease is among the leading causes of death in the U.S.

Supported by the Vermont Biomedical Research Network (VBRN), the work was carried out in collaboration among Ruth Fabian-Fine, Ph.D., director of the neuroscience program and associate professor of biology and neuroscience at Saint Michael’s College and adjunct associate professor of pharmacology at the Larner College of Medicine; John DeWitt, M.D., Ph.D., Larner associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine; and researchers at Saint Michael’s College.

“The Vermont Biomedical Network has been thrilled to support Dr. Fabian-Fine’s research from its initial focus on animal neuroscience to the more recent and potentially groundbreaking emphasis on the cellular basis of human neurodegeneration,” said VBRN Director Christopher Francklyn, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry, microbiology & molecular genetics, and biology at the Larner College of Medicine. “Her exciting work, and the outstanding training she has provided to her undergraduate co-investigators, epitomizes what NIH hopes to accomplish with its national IDEA program.”

This work was also covered by WCAX-TV, the Saint Albans Daily Messenger, Vermont Public, Inside Precision Medicine, and Science Daily

Read full story at Verve Times

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