Research Scientist, Neurology Service, SFVAMC
Assistant Adjunct Professor of Neurology, UCSF

Email: conrad.alano@va.gov

Although tremendous progress has been made in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease, stroke remains a leading cause of death and severe disability in the United States.  The mechanisms proposed in many diseases and injuries that lead to the death of brain cells include oxidative free radical damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Neuronal death resulting from ischemic stroke is caused by a sequence of events initiated by ischemia (interruption of blood supply to cells) and reperfusion (resumption of blood supply).  Dr. Alano's recent studies suggest that 1) ischemic injury is mediated by free radical damage, 2) free radicals decrease mitochondrial function, 3) mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with bioenergetic failure, and 4) collapse of bioenergetic homeostasis is a major factor mediating ischemic neuronal death. Dr. Alano and his colleagues propose to establish the foundation of characterizing the mechanisms involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic failure, determine the efficacy of known and novel compounds for treatment for these conditions, and ultimately translate this knowledge into clinical practice.

Alano CC, Kauppinen TM, Valls AV, Swanson RA. 2006. Minocycline inhibits poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 at nanomolar concentrations. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103(25):9685-90.

Alano CC, Tran A, Tao R, Ying W, Karliner JS, Swanson RA. 2007. Differences among cell types in NAD+ compartmentalization: a comparison of neurons, astrocytes, and cardiac myocytes. J Neurosci R 85(15):3378-85.