Thread by @TheASMR1

Meet Dr Jenna Ziebell, @ziebs83, a medical researcher investigating the role of immune cells in brain ageing at @WickingDementia @UTAS_

A thread👇

#neuroscience @AcademicChatter #ecrchat #ageing #dementia

The brain is comprised of delicate neuronal networks which allow communication of thoughts and movement. As we age, changes occur that disrupt these networks. Why and how these changes occur remains a mystery; however, one factor that may be driving these changes is inflammation

Most inflammation in the brain is regulated by a cell type called microglia. Microglia are small cells which provide support for the neuronal networks. As we age, changes happen in both neurons and microglia.

“Does one cause the other, or does it happen in unison?” This is one research question Dr. Jenna Ziebell hopes to answer.

Jenna is a Lecturer at the @WickingDementia , at @UTAS_. Her research focuses on how microglia may contribute to diseases of the brain. We know that traumatic brain injury increases a person’s risk of dementia. Are changes in microglia responsible for that increased risk?

Currently Jenna and her team want to know whether the response microglia have to brain injury differs with age and sex, and whether the structure of the neuron can alter the way microglia responds to injury.
“These are important questions to ask as ...

we are yet to determine why some people with brain injury go on to develop other chronic neurological diseases. We know microglia respond differently between males and females, which may help explain why less males develop Alzheimer’s disease [the most common form of dementia]”

Jenna enjoys seeing her students flourish in the lab. “I love how the next generation of scientists respond when they see for the first time that they have the capacity to design and conduct great science ...

Our procedures are technically challenging and often take months to perfect, but the look on a student’s face when they see that they have been able to replicate experiments and the confidence that builds in our team is something that I will never tire of.”

Honours projects (which could potentially lead to PhD opportunities) are available with Jenna. For collaborations or media enquiries, contact ASMR for details.