Our project investigates how childhood stress may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) later in life. We know that stress during early development can affect a brain chemical called serotonin, which plays a key role in memory and mood – two areas that are also affected in AD. We developed a new mouse model that mimics early brain changes seen in AD and are using it to study how early stress damages serotonin-related brain circuits. By looking at these changes closely, we hope to understand how early life experiences can contribute to AD, identify early warning signs, and find new ways to treat or even prevent the disease before symptoms appear.
