Randy Strong, PhD
Professor, Department of Pharmacology
Research Career Scientist, South Texas Veterans Health Care System
Director, NIA-Intervention Testing Center
Director, Research Development, Nathan Shock Center in Basic Biology of Aging

	ITP mice are checked twice daily for general health and survival.
	Mice performing rotarod test of motor coordination (courtesy of A. Giuffrieda, PhD, Pharmacology Dept, UTHSCSA).

Tel: 210-562-6126 or 617-5300, Ext 4760
Email: strong@uthscsa.edu

Research Interests

Research using genetically modified rodents and dietary restriction has identified a number of genes that control lifespan in rodents and that are potential therapeutic targets for intervention in the aging process. The San Antonio Aging Intervention Testing Center, funded by the National Institute on Aging, is working with Intervention Testing Centers at the University of Michigan and the Jackson Laboratory on testing potential interventions that target those genes. Candidate compounds are administered to UM-HET mice and are tested at different ages for physiological, immune and brain function and end-of-life pathology. Treatments having a positive effect on health and lifespan will eventually be tested in clinical trials.

We are also studying catecholamine synthesis and metabolism in aging and age-related diseases. In one project, we are examining the role of oxidative stress during catecholamine metabolism in Parkinson's disease (PD). The role of neurotoxic biogenic aldehydes (e.g., DOPAL, 4-HNE) in the process of degeneration of substantia nigra dopamine neurons is being studied. We are examining the role of aldehydes in PD, using genetically modified mice that are deficient in aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes that catalyze the metabolism of aldehydes. Using this information, we hope to develop compounds that remove biogenic aldehydes in animal models of PD and other age-related diseases.