Thomas Sedlak, M.D., Ph.D.

Our research studies the interface of antioxidant and metabolic pathways with normal brain metabolisms neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's Disease. 

Glutathione is a tripeptide found at millimolar concentrations in the brain.  We are characterizing novel roles that it serves as a reservoir of glutamate, an important amino acid and neurotransmitter relevant to normal brain biology and schizophrenia. 

Another major project is characterizing the role of the protective antioxidant protein, heme oxygenase, in a model of Alzheimer's disease.

We employ a diverse array of techniques, including cell biology, biochemistry, electrophysiology, microscopy and mouse transgenic and knockout models.  

We employ a range of electrophysiologic, optogenetic, behavioral, and molecular biology techniques in these projects.  The above image depicts the calcium waves associated with neuronal depolarization when the glutathione system is targeted.

Our Team

Tom Sedlak, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator

Minori Koga, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow

Gregory Parker, B.S.
Research Technician

Vivek Sinanan
Student Researcher