Targeting Neurovascular Molecular Pathways in Stroke and Dementia
Welcome to HinmanLabUCLA
Translational neuroscience lab studying the molecular pathways driving the two most common neurologic disorders: stroke and dementia
Operating with a shared goal of repairing the brain and halting neurodegeneration
Research
Translational Research to Bridge the Diagnostic and Treatment Gaps in Neurology
Research at HinmanLabUCLA involves exploration and discovery of molecular pathways behind the two most common neurologic diseases: stroke and dementia.
Together, more than 6 million people in the US struggle with these diseases and there is evolving recognition of significant overlap between vascular brain injury and neurodegenerative conditions. We focus on identifying pathways that can translate to diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for these disorders. Since 2013, we have been driven by this mission of discovery.
You can follow the lab's latest progress on Twitter @HinmanLabUCLA. Several highlighted projects are detailed below.
Neurovascular Pathways driving Tau
Dysregulation of the brain's vascular tree is increasing recognized as a major contributor the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. This NIA-funded project with support from the Ressler Foundation, seeks to detail the molecular pathways driving neurodegeneration particularly the aggregation of tau. Using a novel viral transcriptional profiling toolbox developed by the lab, we have identified early gliovascular dysfunction during the prodromal stages of tauopathy.
Vascular Regulation of Myelination
Lacunar strokes account for nearly 200K strokes per year. These lesions are prompted by vascular conditions like hypertension and obesity that damage the small blood vessels of the brain. Injured vessels up-regulate inflammatory signals that in turn regulate the ability of oligodendrocytes to differentiate and remyelinate after injury. This NINDS-funded project harnesses this dysregulated inflammatory injury signal between vessels and oligodendrocytes in order to promote post-stroke remyelination and functional recovery.
New Drugs for Stroke Recovery
Recovery from stroke is a complex process dependent on new axonal connections between nerve cells. The last decade has proven that rewiring of the brain after stroke is possible. This project builds on understanding the basic molecular pathways that regulate axonal degeneration after stroke in order to identify novel approaches for brain repair. We have several exciting lead candidate molecules and with the support of the UC Drug Discovery Consortium and DGSOM, we are building new therapeutic approaches for stroke recovery.
Neurovascular Diagnostics
The emerging field of neurovascular diagnostics aims to drive earlier diagnosis of stroke and dementia risk. @HinmanLabUCLA is leading the way in this new field with patented diagnostic panels and multiple ongoing large-scale efforts to broaden this field. The lab is engaged in neurovascular diagnostic studies as part of the NINDS MarkVCID Consortium, the DISCOVERY Network, and DIVERSE VCID.
3D Neurovascular Modeling
Mimicking the human brain vasculature in experimental models has always been a challenge. As part of a multidisciplinary team including the expertise of the UCLA Neurovascular Imaging Core, we pioneered methods to 3D print to-scale models of the human vasculature using angiographic images from patients. This novel methodology has enabled projects on cerebral aneurysms, intracranial atherosclerosis, and even COVID-19.
Key Publications
These publications highlight several of the critical findings upon which our current projects are based. This section is updated regularly as new findings are published so check back regularly.
Mark4 as a Therapeutic Target for VCID
In 2019, we identified that subcortical stroke results in the significant up-regulation of Mark4, a microtubule-associated enzyme that regulates the phosphorylation of tau. We showed that subcortical stroke activates tau aggregation and that Mark4 potentiates tau aggregation. We have since worked to identify novel inhibitors of Mark4 that are entering testing in animal models of VCID.
Novel Diagnostic Assay for VCID
Inflammation is a key driver of brain vascular injury. Damage to the brain's small blood vessels by chronic inflammation increases the risk of dementia and stroke. We identified a panel of six inflammatory molecules centered on the pleiotropic cytokine, IL-18 that tightly associates with MRI markers of brain vascular injury.
Jason D. Hinman
PI, Physician Scientist
Jason obtained his MD/PhD from Boston University School of Medicine and  completed Adult Neurology Residency and Vascular Neurology Fellowship with specialization in Neurorehabilitation. He joined UCLA faculty in 2013 and believes in equity in education, science, and medicine.
Yutaro Komuro
Project Scientist
Yutaro completed his PhD with Dr. Bruce Lamb at CWRU and joined the lab in 2018 to develop viral tools for transcriptional profiling of glial cells in tauopathy. He has experience in bioinformatics, gene expression, and data visualization
Enrique Font
Post-doctoral Fellow
Quique completed his PhD in the lab of Dr. X focused on dysregulation of energetic pathways in rodent models of stroke. He joined the lab in 2021 to study vascular regulation of myelination through chemokine signaling
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Roy McReyonlds, III
NSIDP Doctoral Candidate
Roy is a 4th year UCLA Neuroscience Graduate Student and recipient of the 2021 Black Men's Brain Health Fellowship. His dissertation project focuses on molecular pathways driving phenotypic changes in astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease.
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Jennifer An
Staff Research Associate
Jenny joined the lab in early 2020. She is working on molecular mechanisms of axonal degeneration after stroke. Jenny loves space and hopes to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience.
Davis Chong
Staff Research Associate
Davis joined the lab in late 2020 to help manage the lab's biomarker projects. Davis has a degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and plans to pursue a career in medicine
Eleni Miliotou
Staff Research Associate
Eleni joined the lab in 2021Â to work on transcriptional profiling of the neurovascular unit in Alzheimer's disease. This is her third lab in biomedical neuroscience and she hopes to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience.
Cristina Teran
Clinical Research Associate
Cristina completed her undergraduate degree at Stanford and joined the lab in late 2021. She coordinates clinical research activities for projects involving vascular cognitive impairment and dementia
Manu Vohra
UCLA Undergraduate
Manu is a fourth-year Bruin majoring in Physiological Sciences and pursuing a minor in Global Health. Manu joined the lab in October 2020 and hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Outside of my research, I spend my time traveling, trying LA’s best restaurants, and going on leisurely drives through the canyons or by the beach.
Miriam Sheetz
UCLA Undergraduate
Miriam is a fourth year Bruin studying neuroscience and global health. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Outside of her lab research on abnormal tau deposition in Alzheimer’s Disease, she enjoys hiking and trying new vegan foods around LA
Brian Toh
UCLA Undergraduate
Brian is a fourth-year Bruin majoring in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and minoring in Society and Genetics. Brian has been a true leader with his contributions to studies on mechanisms of axonal degeneration after stroke. Brian aims to become a physician after finishing as a Bruin
Veronica Lubera
UCLA Undergraduate
Veronica is a third-year Bruin majoring in neuroscience and an honors Scheibel research scholar. Veronica is working on identifying pathways in oligodendrocytes to promote remyelination after stroke. When not in the lab, she can be found exploring the Botanical Gardens on campus and trying new dessert places in LA.
Latest News
Latest Press Mentions
Mentions of our research in the press and the media are an important way to build recognition and awareness for our work. Read on below to see a selection of the latest coverage we have received.
Exciting Findings at HinmanLabUCLA
February 3, 2020
A UCLA-led study has found that levels of six proteins in the blood can be used to gauge a person's risk for cerebral small vessel disease, or CSVD, a brain disease that affects an estimated 11 million older adults in the U.S. CSVD can lead to dementia and stroke, but currently it can only be diagnosed with an MRI scan of the brain
A Step Toward Understanding Why COVID-19 Boosts Stroke Risk
January 5, 2021
Although COVID-19 is known for its severe respiratory symptoms, the disease also has been associated with strokes in young people who had no known risk factors. A new UCLA-led study may help illuminate how the coronavirus interacts with certain cells in the brain.
Available Positions
Current Opportunities @HinmanLabUCLA
The lab has several key openings for post-doctoral or staff research associate positions.
September 1, 2023
Post-doctoral fellow
Drs. Jason Hinman (Neurology), David Liebeskind (Neurology), and Naoki Kaneko (Radiology) will co-host a post-doctoral fellowship in the UCLA Department of Neurology to study cerebrovascular biology in the context of intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAD). Using data and models of patient-specific ICAD lesions, the leading worldwide cause of stroke, we aim to identify biologic pathways that promote localized thrombosis in ICAD. Develop expertise in ICAD pathogenesis, 3D printing, endothelial cell biology, spatial transcriptomics, gene expression, and advanced light microscopy. Join a vibrant multi-PI group on an NIH-funded project at the leading scientific institution in the West. Two-year appointment.
September 1, 2023
Staff Research Associate
We have multiple open SRA positions to work on human biomarker studies as part of multiple NIH projects focused on vascular cognitive impairment. Expertise in immunnassays and proteomics
September 1, 2023
Post-doctoral Fellowship
Two-year post-doctoral fellowship position available to study molecular pathways activated by stroke that regulate tau aggregation in a model of mixed vascular and AD dementia. Testing of new chemical entities to block stroke-activated enzyme.
Reach Out to the Lab
Thank you for your interest in our research. Get in touch with us for any questions or comments regarding open positions, ongoing research, publications, data sharing, or to donate to our work.
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For UCLA undergraduate students interested in volunteering in the lab, please complete this google form:
David Geffen School of Medicine
Gordon Neuroscience Research Building, Rm 415
635 Charles E. Young Dr. South,
Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
310-825-7802