Eitan Okun is an Associate Professor in the Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, and is affiliated with the Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center. Prof. Okun’s research is conducted at the Paul Feder Laboratory for research on Alzheimer’s disease. Prof. Okun’s major research lines focus on both basic and translational neurosciences. Prof. Okun studies the roles of innate immune receptors of the Toll-like receptors / Interleukin-1 pathways on spatial learning and memory in rodents, with emphasis on spatial pattern completion and pattern separation. In addition, Prof. Okun’s laboratory studies mechanisms by which physical exercise affects adult hippocampal neurogenesis, the process of formation of new neurons in the adult brain. On the translation branch of his research, Prof. Okun develops DNA vaccination strategies to delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease using mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. In addition, the laboratory also develops biomarkers for earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Biology, Immunology, Immunology, Neuroscience