Research Overview —
Project Summary: The overall focus of the Wilkins Lab is investigating how metabolism and mitochondrial function influence Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. My research focuses on apolipoprotein E (APOE), a significant genetic risk determinate for sporadic Alzheimer's disease. I'm specifically interested in how it influences metabolic and mitochondrial function across the liver and brain, which serve as the primary sources of APOE in the body. To interrogate the mechanisms underlying this relationship, we utilize various rodent and cell culture model systems in combination with metabolic-based assays.
Publications —
Flannagan K, Stopperan JA, Hauger BM, Troutwine BR, Lysaker CR, Strope TA, Csikos Drummond V, Gilmore CA, Swerdlow NA, Draper JM, Gouvion CM, Vivian JL, Haeri M, Swerdlow RH, Wilkins HM. (2023) Cell Type and Sex Specific Mitochondrial Phenotypes in iPSC Derived Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Frontiers Molecular Neuroscience; 16
Troutwine BR, Strope TA, Franczak E, Lysaker CR, Hamid L, Mansel C, Stopperan JA, Gouvion CM, Haeri M, Swerdlow RH, Wilkins HM. (2022) Mitochondrial Function and Aβ in Alzheimer's Disease Postmortem Brain. Neurobiology of Disease; 171
Wilkins HM, Troutwine B, Menta BW, Manley S, Strope TA, Lysaker CR, Swerdlow R. (2022) Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Influences Amyloid-β Protein Precursor Localization and Amyloid-β Secretion. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease; 85 (1), 381-394
Troutwine B, Hamid L, Lysaker CR, Strope TA, Wilkins HM. (2021) Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer’s Disease. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B; 12 (2), 496-510
Presentations —
Lysaker CR, Csikos Drummond V, Hauger BM, Strope TA, Birky C, Gilmore C, Chen D, Wilkins HM. Unraveling the Role of APOE Genetic Variation in Metabolic Function: Insights from iPSC-Derived Models. Stowers Research Conferences: Stem Cells, Tissue Plasticity, and Regenerative Biology, Invited Talk, October 2023
Lysaker CR, Johnson CN, Csikos Drummond V, Franczak E, Cao X, McCoin C, Thyfault J, Geiger PC, Morris J, Wilkins HM. Early Hepatic and Neuronal Metabolic Changes in APOE4 Targeted Replacement Mice, Alzheimer’s Association – APOE Conference, Poster Presentation, March 2023
Lysaker CR, Wilkins HM. Liver and Brain Health Axis with Implications on Alzheimer’s Disease. KU Neuroscience Graduate Program Seminar, April 2022
Lysaker CR, Troutwine B, Strope T, Franczak E, Allen J, Chauhan M, Harris J, Thyfault J, Wilkins HM. Impacts of Aerobic Capacity, Liver Function, and Metabolism on Brain Health. KU Medical Center Student Research Forum, Poster Presentation, April 2022
Wilkins HM, Lysaker CR, Messer T, Alghusen I, Swerdlow R, Slawson S. Thiamet G Effects on Mitochondria and AD Pathological Hallmarks in Human iPSC Derived Models. Alzheimer's & Dementia : The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. 17 (3). Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, August 2021
Awards and Honors —
Professional Memberships
Society for Neuroscience (SfN) – Member (June 2023 – Present)
Heartland Center for Mitochondrial Medicine (HCMM) – Member (August 2022 – Present)
Society for Neuroscience Kansas City Chapter (SfNKC) – Member (October 2022 – Present)
International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART) – Member (April 2022 – Present)