Exploring the Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation as a Neuroprotecive Agent in Alzheimers Disease

PostDoc    ·    Grenoble, France    ·    Full time

Position: Post-doctoral Position
Deadline: 31 July 2021
Employment Start Date: 2 August 2021
Contract Length: 2 years
City: Grenoble
Country: France
Institution: Fonds de dotation Clinatec

Description:

Title : Exploring the effectiveness of photobiomodulation as a neuroprotecive agent in Alzheimer’s disease

Supervision : Pr John Mitrofanis

This experimental program will focus on the development of photobiomodulation as a viable therapeutic option for Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent of the neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, there is no effective therapy for this devastating condition, neither neuroprotective, that stops the relentless progression of the pathology, nor symptomatic, that treats the signs and symptoms (Nelson and Tabet 2015). Hence, there is a real need for the development of an effective treatment, particularly a neuroprotective one.

To this end, the experiments outlined in this proposal aim to determine photobiomodulation first, as a reliable neuroprotective agent when applied to all zones of pathology in Alzheimer’s disease and second, as a method that induces an improvement in functional activity across the brain in both health and disease (Mitrofanis and Henderson 2020). A better understanding of both these two issues are key to the further development of an effective therapeutic treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

The post doctorand candidate will be in charge more specifically to develop in vivo model based on drug induced effects. Streptozotocin is a glucosamine-nitrosourea compound that is toxic to pancreatic beta cells and hence used commonly as an animal model of diabetes. More recently, it has been developed to induce Alzheimer-like cognitive deficits and pathology in mice (Kamat 2015; Fronza et al 2019). We plan to make intracerebral injections of streptozotocin and then, after about three weeks, light will be applied. These experiments will explore different features for the first time in an in vivo model and whether it is important in neuroprotection. The implications of these findings for patients are considerable. Brains will be processed for routine immunohistochemistry with the common antibodies used in Alzheimer’s disease studies. The distribution and pattern of these markers will be quantified (with the use of stereology) and compared to controls (shams and wild-type). We also plan to explore any changes in the behavior of the animals with a series of standard cognitive tests during this period. Finally, we will examine whether light can change neurotransmitter levels in the brain (eg acetylcholine, dopamine), by using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HLPC) method. Once this series of experiments is completed work will commence with normal human subjects followed by Alzheimer’s patients (using EEG, fMRI and PET scanning).

Technical description

The techniques to be used in this series of projects are many and the applicant should have experience in at least two: histology, immunhistochemistry, pharmacology, animal behaviour, EEG, fMRI and PET scanning.

Applicant

• Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (biology or neurosciences) and experience in at least two of the techniques mentioned above would be an advantage.
• Good written and verbal English communication skills are required and French practice would be appreciated.
• Preference will be given to candidates with an excellent track record of peer-reviewed publications.

Conditions

• The candidate will have the opportunity to have an attractive 2-year post-doc grant

Please click here to learn more.