Gary Gibson, Ph. D. 
  Professor of Neuroscience (with tenure) 
 Weill Medical College of Cornell University                          
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The elderly are at a greater risk for many neurodegenerative diseases. The most common of these age-related diseases are Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington diseases. My laboratory is trying to discover the underlying cause of age-related neurodegenerative diseases and to develop effective therapies.  Our research shows that fundamental mechanisms of damage may be similar in many age-related diseases and stroke. The brain is very dependent on oxygen and glucose (sugar). Our data suggest that a reduced ability to use glucose and oxygen either causes the disease(s) or is a critical clinically relevant change. We are trying to determine why this reduction occurs and its consequences for brain function. Abnormalities in the use of glucose and oxygen cause an irregular regulation of calcium and the production of excess free radicals, which in turn, may lead to the brain dysfunction. Thus, preventing the free radical damage or a change in calcium with specific drugs should protect the brain.  To this end, we are using cells from patients, genetically modified cells and animal models to test these possibilities and to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs.