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April 5, 2024
EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University neuroscientist William L. Klein has spent more than two decades on research related to Alzheimer’s disease. Now, in a new five-part online video series, Klein takes viewers on a journey into Alzheimer’s -- what it is, what causes it and how it might be treated and prevented.
“Where it all Began,” the first episode of the biweekly series, aired July 29 on Neuro.RAPT. Produced by a new Chicago science collaborative called Neuro.RAPT, the series is intended to create greater awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and research.
“Not too long ago, Alzheimer’s disease was a complete mystery,” Klein said. “But there have been breakthroughs from a host of investigators, and I think it’s important to share what we’ve learned about this devastating disease. The Neuro.RAPT series tells the story in a way people will appreciate and also shows there is real hope for the future.”
Klein is a professor of neurobiology at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. He also is a member of Northwestern’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
In 1998, Klein and his research team discovered a small toxin that builds up in Alzheimer’s disease and attacks the brain’s memory centers. These memory toxins instigate neural damage leading to dementia.
“My group and collaborators and colleagues worldwide are trying to discover how we can protect the brain from these toxins -- or even prevent them from building up in the first place,” Klein said.
The remaining episodes and their air dates are:
Aug. 12: “Dementia and the Toxins That Destroy Memory and Learning”
Aug. 26: “Why Toxins Build Up in the Brain and Can We Prevent It?”
Sept. 9: ”Who Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect? and The Breakthroughs in Brain Imaging”
Sept. 23: ”Discovering Therapeutics That Work and the New Path Towards Effective Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment”
The series can be viewed at www.neurorapt.com.
