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Free Radical Biology and Aging Research Program

Kenneth Hensley, Ph.D. Associate Member, Free Radical Biology and Aging Research Program

Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Lou Gehrig's disease. For many years, scientists have searched for the causes of these deadly brain diseases. Increasingly, their work has zeroed in on neuroinflammation—when the body's immune defenses "over-react" and damage nerves in the brain and spinal column.

At OMRF, Dr. Kenneth Hensley focuses his research on this process, searching for ways to prevent the body's own immune system from causing damage to nerve cells in the brain. In particular, Dr. Hensley is exploring the use of natural compounds to treat illnesses that are marked by the slow death of brain cells.

Dr. Hensley already has discovered new, naturally occurring molecules that help regulate the immune system in the brain, and these show promise for slowing or stopping the progression of some of these brain diseases. He currently is testing these compounds as potential treatments for Huntington's disease, and he plans to explore their effectiveness in combating other neurodegenerative diseases.