Our Research
Infarct-induced neurodegeneration occurs chronically after stroke, doubling the risk of dementia. The Zera lab is interested in understanding how aging endothelial cells contribute to neuroinflammation following stroke, and how loss of vascular integrity with age and injury contributes to chronic cognitive decline and infarct-induced neurodegeneration. Ultimately, understanding the role of vascular dysfunction and its contribution to chronic neuroinflammation after stroke may identify novel therapeutic targets to prevent cognitive decline in people with stroke, or other diseases with persistent vascular dysfunction.
We specialize in a broad range of techniques, including cognitive behavioral testing, immunostaining, quantitative PCR, single cell transcriptomics and proteomics. We synthesize data from clinical studies and rodent models to perform cutting-edge translational research. Projects include characterizing blood-brain barrier dysfunction in the chronic phase after stroke, understanding the impact of angiogenesis on cognitive function, and investigating pericyte-endothelial interactions in chronic stroke.
