Doxorubicin-induced, TNF-alpha-mediated Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration in Brain: Insights into Chemotherapy-induced CNS injury (Chemobrain)

Center of Membrane Sciecnes Director, Allan Butterfield received his B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Maine, Orono. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. and post-doc at Duke University in the Neurosciences.

Dr. Butterfield’s work is focused on free radical oxidative stress as a hallmark of aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Such oxidative stress is manifested in neurons by protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, reactive ox ygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and functional impairment of key transmembrane transport proteins, among many others. Their laboratory studies these and other aspects of oxidative stress in brain membranes using a variety of techniques. Hi laboratory has described how oxidative stress associated with amyloid b-peptide, a 42-amino acid peptide deposited in AD brains, leads to neurotoxicity and how various antioxidants can modulate or prevent this oxidative stress and neuronal death.

Throughout his career he has published over 500 research articles and has received numorous honors and awards. Some of the many awards are Southern Chemist from the American Chemical Society, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mentoring, he received an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Maine and most recently he was the recipient of the Albert D. and Elizabeth H. Kirwan Memorial Prize for Excellence in Research.