Monday, January 12, 2026
Media Contact:
Bailey Horn | Marketing Specialist | 405-744-6728 | bailey.horn@okstate.edu
Dr. Neeraj Singh and his research team at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine are working to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind neuroinflammation and memory
loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other chronic neurodegenerative disorders.
“My research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms driving neuroinflammation
and dementia commonly associated with numerous chronic neurodegenerative diseases,
including Alzheimer’s disease,” Singh said.
Alzheimer’s disease affects nearly 7 million Americans and remains one of the most
challenging age-related neurodegenerative disorders to treat. Current therapies largely
target amyloid plaques — hallmark lesions found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients
— but have had limited success in stopping disease progression.
Singh’s lab is studying microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells, which play a
critical role in plaque clearance.
“Microglia play a crucial role in preventing amyloid plaque buildup by facilitating
phagocytosis and clearance,” he said.
During neurodegeneration, however, these cells can shift into dysfunctional states
that create a toxic, inflammatory environment, ultimately leading to neuronal death
and memory loss.
Using transgenic mouse models and high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing, the
lab is identifying genes that regulate beneficial and harmful microglial subsets.
“Understanding the genes regulating microglial transitioning will help in manipulating
and upregulating the beneficial microglial subset population, which can halt the progression
of the disease,” Singh said.
Singh’s interest in the field began during his doctoral training at Virginia Tech,
where his work bridged immunology and neuroscience. He said the impact of neurodegenerative
diseases on elderly patients and caregivers continues to motivate his work.
“The chronic and progressive nature of these diseases makes patients rely entirely
on caregivers, often with an inferior quality of life exacerbated by memory loss and
inability to perform daily activities,” he said.
The research also has implications beyond human health.
“Just like humans, dogs also suffer from dementia as they age,” Singh said, noting
that amyloid plaques are found in canine brains as well. “Therapies targeting amyloid
plaque in humans are likely to be effective in clearing amyloid plaque and reversing
memory loss in dogs as well.”
One recent breakthrough from the lab includes identifying a highly specialized microglial
subset that is particularly effective at clearing amyloid plaques in aging Alzheimer’s
disease mouse models. The team is now working to better understand the genes that
regulate these protective cells.
Students are a key part of the research effort. Graduate and undergraduate students
gain hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, cell culture and in vivo
studies.
“Over the last two years, seven undergraduate students have actively participated
in research projects,” Singh said.
