Kaptur Announces Nearly $4 Million In Major Award to the University of Toledo for Innovative Alzheimer's ResearchPress ReleaseJobs and the EconomyHealth Care

Toledo, Ohio - Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) announced that the University of Toledo Health Science Campus has been awarded a significant federal award of $788,021 per year over the next 5 years from the US Department of Health and Human Services for a total award of $3,940,000. This major award, issued by the National Institute on Aging, will support innovative research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease, focusing on active kinome networks in Alzheimer's dementia.

The awarded project, titled "Investigation of Active Kinome Networks in Alzheimer's Dementia," will be led by Dr. Robert Smith, MD, PhD, a renowned neuroscientist and Research Director of the Neurosciences Institute in the College of Medicine & Life Sciences at the University of Toledo. Dr. Smith's team will utilize cutting-edge proteomic and kinomic approaches to uncover new insights into the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's, potentially paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.

"Alzheimer's disease has touched the lives of so many, including many families right here in our own community," said Congresswoman Kaptur (OH-09). "This award empowers researchers at UToledo to delve deeper into the complexities of Alzheimer's, moving us closer to breakthroughs that could transform how we understand and treat this devastating condition. It's this kind of innovative, and life-changing research that gives hope to millions. This is a testament to UToledo's role as a leader in medical science, and innovative research."

Dr. Smith's research at the Cognitive Disorders Research Laboratory (CDRL) is known for tackling complex neuropsychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, and autism spectrum disorders. The CDRL has made significant strides in identifying bioenergetic dysfunctions as key contributors to brain disorders, which could potentially lead to innovative treatments for Alzheimer's and other cognitive impairments.

"This exciting new project will help illuminate the "dark kinome," a previously unexplored area in Alzheimer's disease research that underlies cellular signaling processes in neurons in the brain," said Dr. Robert Smith.

# # #