The Peter Duncan Neurosciences Unit is focused on a better understanding of various brain diseases, the impact of inflammatory disorders on the brain, and ways the brain can repair itself.
In particular, the unit studies how Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and HIV affect the brain. This involves researching the impact of inflammatory pathways (particularly the kynurenine pathway), infections, and toxins on the nervous system.
This valuable research will help find ways to treat inflammation that affects brain cells, particularly stem cells. It will also lead to a better understanding of how to modulate stem cells to promote brain repair.
The team is also collaborating with HIV researchers Kazuo Suzuki and John Zaunders to investigate why parts of the HIV virus may be causing brain damage and vascular disease.