Projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) are two complex neurological conditions—one emerging in early childhood and the other affecting memory and cognition in later life. At first glance, they seem worlds apart. But could there be an underlying link?

We designed a set of behavioral tests to evaluate changes in cognition, social interaction, and anxiety-like behaviors. These assessments help us investigate how features of autism and Alzheimer’s disease may overlap across development and aging.

Following behavioral assessments, neuroanatomical evaluations, and biomarker studies, we apply statistical and imaging-based analysis to extract meaningful patterns from our data. By integrating findings across behavioral, structural, and molecular levels, we aim to identify potential links between autism and Alzheimer’s disease. Our interpretation focuses on how early-life changes may influence later neurodegenerative outcomes, offering new insights into shared disease mechanisms.

Our project explores the potential overlap in neuropathology and behavior between ASD and AD. Through this research, we aim to uncover whether early neurodevelopmental changes may contribute to neurodegenerative vulnerability later in life.

​In this study, we investigate both structural and molecular changes in the brain. The neuroanatomical analysis focuses on regions implicated in autism and Alzheimer’s disease, assessing alterations in volume, organization, and cellular architecture. In parallel, we track changes in key molecular biomarkers—such as synaptic proteins, inflammatory markers, and mitochondrial-related signals—to better understand the underlying mechanisms driving behavioral and cognitive deficits. Together, these approaches provide a comprehensive view of how brain structure and function are affected across development and aging.

If you have any questions about this project, feel free to reach out—I'm happy to help! I'm also open to potential collaborations if you have ideas that align with or complement this research. Let’s connect and explore the possibilities together.