# BLR&D Research Career Scientist Application

> **NIH VA IK6** · JESSE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2023 · —

## Abstract

Neurodegenerative disorders [e.g. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD)] are a group of
devastating conditions that are caused by progressive death of neurons in different regions of the brain. On
the other hand, multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune disease of the central nervous
system, resulting in oligodendrocytes death and demyelination. Our lab primarily focuses on central nervous
system (CNS) cell signaling that leads to neuronal death in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's
disease (AD) and demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). All these disorders are characterized by
activation of CNS glial cells (astroglia and microglia), excessive production of different proinflammatory
molecules within the CNS, and death of either oligodendroglia (MS) or neurons (AD and PD). From several
angles, we have been investigating mechanisms by which glial cells are activated to release different
proinflammatory molecules and neurotoxins for inducing apoptosis and cell death in neurons and
oligodendroglia. We are also involved in identifying signaling pathways by which glial cells may be
redirected to produce neuroprotective molecules and neural stem cells could be driven towards neurons and
myelin-producing cells (oligodendrocytes) within the neurodegenerative CNS. Finally, we are trying to
suppress neurotoxic signaling pathways and/or boost neuroprotective signaling pathways in different animal
models of neurodegenerative diseases by nontoxic drugs in order to achieve neuroprotection. Since many
veterans are suffering from dementia, AD, PD, and MS, results from these studies will directly help veterans.
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## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10515296
- **Project number:** 5IK6BX004982-04
- **Recipient organization:** JESSE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** KALIPADA PAHAN
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-10-01 → 2024-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10515296

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10515296, BLR&D Research Career Scientist Application (5IK6BX004982-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10515296. Licensed CC0.

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