Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Encyclopedia
The Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Tanz CRND) is a research institute at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...

, under the umbrella of the Faculty of Medicine
University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine
The Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto is the medical school of the University of Toronto. The faculty is based in the Discovery District of Downtown Toronto along with most of its teaching hospitals and research institutes. Founded in 1843, it is one of Canada's oldest institutions of...

, with a focus on the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases.

The Tanz CRND has made a number of important contributions to research in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly on Alzheimer's disease. The association of late-onset Alzheimer's disease with the Epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E
Apolipoprotein E
Apolipoprotein E is a class of apolipoprotein found in the chylomicron and IDLs that binds to a specific receptor on liver cells and peripheral cells. It is essential for the normal catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein constituents.-Function:...

 was co-discovered there in conjunction with Duke University in a team led by Allen Roses. Two of the genes associated with most aggressive forms of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...

, namely presenilin
Presenilin
Presenilins are a family of related multi-pass transmembrane proteins that function as a part of the gamma-secretase intramembrane protease complex...

 1 and presenilin 2 were discovered there. In addition, a robust model organism for the amyloid pathology of Alzheimer's disease was created there. The Tanz CRND have also contributed to knowledge about candidate therapies for Alzheimer's disease that are currently under investigation, including amyloid vaccines and scyllo-inositol.

The Tanz CRND was established in 1990 via philanthropic support from the Alzheimer Society of Ontario
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
The Alzheimer Society of Ontario is a charitable organization working to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and to promote research...

, a group of private individuals led by Drs. Mark Tanz and Lionel Schipper. The Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegeneration is currently located at the Tanz Neuroscience Building on the St. George campus of the University of Toronto. The founding director of the institute was Professor Donald Crapper McLachlan, and is currently directed by Professor Peter St George-Hyslop
Peter St George-Hyslop
Peter Henry St George-Hyslop, MD, FRS, FRSC, FRCPC, is a British and Canadian medical scientist, neurologist and molecular geneticist who is known for his research into neurodegenerative diseases...

.

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