Neuronal growth is a complex, formidable task.
Surprisingly, after the construction process is well underway, many neurons and many connections are normally eliminated. A loss of fifty percent or more of the developing neuronal population has been observed in a variety of brain regions. The selective elimination of neurons may also occur in some mature individuals as a result of neuronal pathology. Alzheimer's disease is one example of the pathological destruction of specific neurons with devastating consequences. Our laboratory explores the molecular mechanisms which might regulate neuronal cell death.