Norman Haughey, PhD
Professor
Education & Affiliations
Biography
Dr. Haughey directs a disease-oriented research program that address questions in basic neurobiology, and clinical neurology. The primary research interests of the laboratory are:
- To identify biomarkers markers for neurodegenerative diseases including HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. In these studies, blood and cerebral spinal fluid samples obtained from ongoing clinical studies are analyzed for metabolic profiles through a variety of biochemical, mass spectrometry and bioinformatic techniques. These biomarkers can then be used in the diagnosis of disease, as prognostic indicators to predict disease trajectory, or as surrogate markers to track the effectiveness of disease modifying interventions.
- To better understand how the lipid components of neuronal and glial membranes interact with proteins to regulate signal transduction associated with differentiation, motility, inflammatory signaling, survival, and neuronal excitability.
- To understand how extracellular vesicles (exosomes) released from brain resident cells regulate neuronal excitability, neural network activity, and peripheral immune responses to central nervous system damage and infections.
- To develop small molecule therapeutics that regulate lipid metabolism as a neuroprotective and restorative strategy for neurodegenerative conditions.
For more information about Dr. Haughey's research visit his lab website at https://haugheylab.org/ or the TULMAC website at https://tulmac.com/.
Areas of Expertise
Publications
PubMed listing of research publications for Norman Haughey, PhD
Awards & Recognitions
Target ALS supports collaborative, cross-disciplinary research aimed at accelerating breakthroughs in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dr. Haughey’s award reflects his leadership in advancing ALS research through innovative, team-based science.
Dr. Haughey is a collaborator in a study titled Lipid Metabolic Vulnerabilities in ALS as a Pathway Toward New Therapeutic Strategies, along with Jiou Wang of Johns Hopkins University and Ling Hao of the University of Maryland.
From the proposal:
ALS is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons, yet the biological changes that contribute to this degeneration remain incompletely understood, especially in the more common sporadic form of the disease. Emerging evidence suggests that disruptions of lipid (fat) regulation in motor neurons play a critical role in ALS. Researchers have identified a direct link between lipid regulation and protein quality control, a process known to be disrupted in ALS. The consortia will determine whether the disruption of lipid metabolism is a shared biological feature between inherited and sporadic forms of ALS, and develop measurable lipid biomarkers to track treatment response, potentially opening new pathways for ALS treatment.
Congratulations, Dr. Haughey—we look forward to the impact of this work!
