Neuroplasticity

Dr. Carla Shatz's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that govern the development and plasticity of neural connections in the brain. Her work has shed light on the role of class I MHC molecules in the refinement of neural connections during development and their impact on synaptic plasticity in the adult brain. Additionally, her research has explored the mechanisms regulating dendritic spine dynamics, which are thought to be crucial for motor learning and memory.

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One of her most notable contributions is the discovery of the role of the receptor PirB in synapse pruning and its potential implications for understanding and treating Alzheimer's disease. By studying mouse models of Alzheimer's, Dr. Shatz and her team found that blocking PirB prevented cognitive loss, even in the presence of amyloid plaques. This groundbreaking finding suggests that targeting mechanisms involved in synapse removal early in the disease process could be a promising therapeutic approach.

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Dr. Shatz's scientific achievements have been widely recognized, and she has been elected to several prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the Institute of Medicine, and the Royal Society of London as a Foreign Member. The Tiny Foundation is proud to support Dr Shatz's promising contributions to neuroscience.