Paulo W. Pires, PhD

Research in the Pires laboratory focuses on the contributions of the brain vasculature to progression of cognitive impairment and dementia, including those seen during aging and Alzheimer’s Disease. We are particularly interested in understanding how misfolded proteins (such as amyloid-beta) affect ion channels responsible for control of brain blood vessels, and how these dysfunction may lead to reduced blood flow in the brain. Current projects in the lab are investigating the interplay between neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in impairment of potassium channels in the brain vasculature, how normal aging leads to impaired blood flow to the brain and the mechanisms by which excessive cellular cholesterol affects cerebral vascular regulation.