We are investigating the functions of genes involved in Alzheimer?s disease using C. elegans. We have focussed on presenilin genes as presenilin mutations in human cause familial Alzheimer?s disease. We aim to address the mechanism by which presenilin mutations alter neuronal function by dissecting their role at the synapse and investigating their interactions with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) signalling. We also study other aspects of IP3 signalling in the nervous system including studies on the role of IP3 signalling in polymodal sensory neurones.
