Student: Sukhjinder Rehal

Type: Basic, Translational, Neutraceutical

Institutions Affiliated: University of Calgary

Supervisor: Dr. Richard Dyck

Background: Zinc is a nutrient that has many signaling properties within the brain, including the promotion of new neurons in a brain region called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is important for memory, and these new neurons are thought to be critical for new learning to occur.

Impact: This examined if a zinc rich diet can help increase the number of new neurons in the hippocampus, as a lack of new neurons in this region is associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease.