University of California-San Francisco · PhysiologyMetabolism and Memory Lab
Kaveh Ashrafi · San Francisco, California
Research Focus
Dr. Kaveh Ashrafi's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding how metabolism influences learning and memory, particularly during aging. They study the kynurenine pathway and the role of a steroid hormone called ADIOL, aiming to uncover mechanisms that could improve cognitive function in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. By using model organisms like C. elegans, the lab explores how changes in metabolic pathways affect brain health and learning capabilities.
metabolismaginglearningmemorykynurenineADIOLsteroid hormonesAlzheimer's DiseaseC. elegansneurodegeneration
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the effect of ADIOL on kynurenine pathway metabolites and their role in cognitive function.
AIM 02Explore the interaction between ADIOL and neuronal receptors involved in learning and memory.
AIM 03Examine the impact of metabolic states on brain energetics and cognitive resilience during aging.
Skills the Lab Values
C. elegans geneticsbiochemical assaysbehavioral testingRNA extraction and analysisimmunostaining techniquessteroid hormone measurementdata interpretationmolecular imagingNMDAR activity assaysneural circuit mapping
Output against the department
Publications62bottom 11% of dept.255th of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations4.5kbottom 37% of dept.179th of 286
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.