University of Rochester · NeuroscienceAir Quality and Brain Health Unit
Rashad Hussain · Rochester, New York
Research Focus
Dr. Rashad Hussain's lab at the University of Rochester focuses on understanding how exposure to air pollution, specifically ultra-fine particles, affects brain health and contributes to Alzheimer's disease. The research investigates the glymphatic system, a vital pathway for clearing waste from the brain, and explores how its impairment may lead to cognitive decline and neuroinflammation. Through innovative mouse models and advanced imaging techniques, the lab aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms linking environmental toxicants to neurodegenerative diseases.
Alzheimer's Diseaseair pollutionglymphatic systemneuroinflammationparticulate mattercognitive declinetoxicologymouse modelsultrafine particlesamyloid accumulation
Research Aims
4AIM 01Investigate the effect of short and long-term exposure to ultrafine particles on glymphatic fluid transport in mouse models.
AIM 02Examine how glymphatic impairment due to UFP exposure influences amyloid beta deposition in Alzheimer's models.
AIM 03Determine the accumulation and interaction of ultrafine particles within major segments of the glymphatic system.
AIM 04Explore the molecular pathways affected by UFP exposure, focusing on adrenergic signaling and brain water channels.
Skills the Lab Values
animal modelsimmunofluorescencescanning electron microscopyC57BL/6 mice handlingpharmacological inhibition techniquesbehavioral testing in rodentsPCR for gene expressionWestern blotting for protein analysisdata analysis with statistical softwareenvironmental exposure assessment
Output against the department
Publications24bottom 4% of dept.645th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.6kbottom 10% of dept.607th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.