My name is Elika Moallem, and I am a third-year graduate student in the department of neuroscience, working under the mentorship of Adam Bachstetter, PhD. My research focuses on the interrelationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer鈥檚 disease (AD), particularly how metabolic dysfunction after TBI contributes to neurodegeneration. I am passionate about exploring potential therapeutic interventions that target cerebral metabolism to improve long-term outcomes for individuals at risk of cognitive decline after a brain injury.
I grew up in New Jersey, where I attended William Paterson University and began my research investigating the role of a potassium channel (KCNQ) opener, Retigabine, in reducing excitotoxicity after TBI. During my master鈥檚 research, I studied the neuroprotective effects of estrogen after TBI and LPS-induced microglial activation. This experience further fueled my scientific curiosity, motivating me to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, where I am now investigating how metabolic shifts contribute to TBI-induced neurodegeneration and whether beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a ketone body, could serve as a therapeutic intervention.
My current project investigates how BHB influences mitochondrial function and neuroinflammation after TBI in an AD-relevant mouse model. TBI disrupts cerebral metabolism, leading to energy deficits, increased inflammation, and cognitive decline. BHB serves as an alternative energy source by bypassing pyruvate dehydrogenase inhibition, enabling acetyl CoA production and ATP generation through mitochondrial oxidation, even when glucose metabolism is impaired after TBI and AD. The goal of my research is to determine whether BHB supplementation can restore mitochondrial bioenergetics, reduce amyloid pathology, and improve functional recovery following TBI.
My preliminary findings suggest that long-term BHB treatment after TBI in an AD mouse model reduces anxiety-like behavior, highlighting the potential for BHB to influence metabolism and functional recovery. Additionally, my research aims to investigate the effects of BHB on mitochondrial function, as mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism and neuroprotection.
To study mitochondrial dynamics, brain tissue from the cortex and hippocampus are dissected, and mitochondria are isolated for analysis using the XF96 Seahorse Analyzer. This system measures the oxygen consumption rates (OCR), allowing us to assess how TBI and AD impact mitochondrial respiration across different complexes of the electron transport chain. By comparing OCR levels in untreated and BHB-treated groups, we can determine whether BHB restores mitochondrial function to baseline levels, potentially mitigating metabolic deficits associated with TBI and AD. Through this approach, I hope to identify key metabolic targets that could serve as therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases.
I have had the privilege of presenting my work at the 16th Annual Course on Isotope Tracers in Metabolic Research, National Neurotrauma Society Symposium, and the Kentucky Spinal Cord & Head Injury Research Trust Symposium. These experiences have given me the opportunity to discuss my work and engage with leading researchers in the field.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had as part of Dr. Bachstetter鈥檚 lab, where I have gained invaluable research experience, learned advanced methodologies, and received support to present my work at national conferences. His mentorship has been instrumental in shaping my growth as a scientist. I am excited to continue my research in Dr. Bachstetter鈥檚 lab here at the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, where I can further explore these mechanisms and contribute to the field of TBI and AD research.
Being part of the Training in Translational Research in Alzheimer鈥檚 and Related Dementias (TRIAD) T32 Fellowship has provided me with invaluable training experiences, allowing me to further develop as a researcher in the field of neurodegeneration. Through this program, I have had the opportunity to engage in the Sanders-Brown seminar series, participate in lunches with invited speakers, and collaborate with peers during monthly TRIAD T32 trainee meetings. Additionally, I have had the privilege of presenting my research at the annual Markesbery Symposium on Aging and Dementia, where I can share my findings and gain insights from leading experts and scholars in the field. These interactions have not only deepened my understanding of neurodegenerative disease research but have also introduced me to new opportunities, such as the Annual Course on Isotope Tracers in Metabolic Research, which I first learned about during a luncheon with visiting REC Scholars hosted by the Sanders-Brown ADRC.
Beyond the lab, I am passionate about mentorship and science outreach. I serve as president of the Iranian Student Association and as a graduate student representative on the Trainees in Research Advisory Committee. I am also committed to supporting the next generation of scientists, whether through mentoring undergraduate students or serving as a judge at local science fairs.