Johns Hopkins University · NeuroscienceTsukamoto Pharmacology Lab
Takashi Tsukamoto · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
The Tsukamoto Lab at Johns Hopkins University is focused on developing new treatments for Alzheimer's disease by targeting an enzyme called neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2). This research aims to inhibit the production of harmful molecules that contribute to Alzheimer's pathology, potentially slowing the disease's progression. By optimizing new drug candidates and testing them in animal models, the lab hopes to find effective therapies that can improve outcomes for patients suffering from Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's diseasenSMase2drug developmentenzyme inhibitorsextracellular vesiclesceramidepharmacologytau proteinADMEtransgenic models
Research Aims
3AIM 01Conduct structure-activity relationship studies on nSMase2 inhibitors to identify effective compounds.
AIM 02Characterize the pharmacological profiles of selected nSMase2 inhibitors in terms of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
AIM 03Evaluate the efficacy and safety of leading nSMase2 inhibitors in animal models of Alzheimer's disease.
Skills the Lab Values
structure-activity relationship (SAR) studiesADME profilingcell cultureanimal modelingpharmaceutical developmentbiochemical assaysin vivo efficacy testingmolecular characterizationtoxicology assessmentsdata analysis
Output against the department
Publications229top 32% of dept.215th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.1ktop 46% of dept.310th 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.