Current Research and Scholarly Interests
Our aim: to preserve brain health in kids with genetic and autoimmune disorders
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) are disorders that damage the protective myelin membrane that surrounds nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This disrupted myelin disrupts communication between neurons, causing neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, imbalance, and cognitive problems.
ALD is a genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in 15,000 people. It is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene, which leads to the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids. For reasons that are still unclear, many (but not all) boys and men with ALD develop inflammatory brain lesions, which are often fatal.
MS is an autoimmune disorder that affects approximately 1 in 1,000 people. The inflammatory brain lesions in MS are less severe but more numerous than ALD lesions. MS lesions occur because the body's immune system mistakenly targets brain myelin.
While their biologically origins differ, both MS and ALD exhibit metabolic abnormalities and inflammatory injuries that cause progressive neurodegeneration.
Our research team in the Van Haren Lab is developing therapies for both MS and ALD. We are developing traditional "rescue" therapies that stop inflammatory brain lesions after they have started, as well as "preventive" therapies that stop inflammatory brain lesions before they begin.
We are especially interested in how a lack of essential nutrients, such as vitamin D, during key developmental windows make the brain and immune system more susceptible to damage later in life. By understanding these underlying mechanisms, we hope to design preventive strategies, through dietary strategies or drug therapies that correct metabolic disturbances. Ultimately, our goal is to develop safe, effective ways to preserve brain health and prevent neurological decline in children with genetic and autoimmune conditions.
