Last summer, Tsuneya Ikezu, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology and Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine received the Inge Grundke-Iqbal Award for Alzheimer’s Research at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto, Ontario, July 24-28, 2016. Dr. Ikezu, whose research focuses on molecular therapeutic intervention of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, gave a plenary lecture at the conference.
The Inge Grundke-Iqbal Award for Alzheimer’s Research recognizes the senior author of the most impactful study on the biology of Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions published during the two calendar years preceding AAIC. The selected paper is “Depletion of microglia and inhibition of exosome synthesis halt tau propagation,” (Nature Neuroscience 2015 Nov;18(11):1584-93).
Ikezu’ s experience certainly proves the effectiveness of CART’s grant model. CART provides seed money for cutting edge research. With initial results in hand, the research is eligible for continuation grants from other organizations. After initial funding from a 2014 CART Grant, Ikezu went on to receive an NIH grant for almost $2.9K to continue the study of tau propagation in exosomes in the Alzheimer’s disease human brain (2016-2021). He also received a grant from the Bright Focus Foundation ($300,000) to validate potential Alzheimer’s Disease drug candidates (2016)
The Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust Fund (CART) is a project of the Rotary Clubs of North America. Founded in 1995 in Sumter SC, CART provides financial support for Alzheimer’s research projects that are yet to be supported by extensive preliminary data but have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. Learn more at www.www.cartfund.org
What to read next…
Sep 17, 2014 – Tsuneya Ikezu – Boston University School of Medicine ($100,000 grant)
Oct 14, 2015 – Ikezu Findings Prove Microglia Plays Crucial Role in Early Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease