Arthi Kanthasamy

Dr. Arthi Kanthasamy is the Johnny Isakson Distinguished Professor at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. Her research focuses on neurodegenerative mechanisms in Parkinson's disease (PD), emphasizing oxidative stress, PKCδ signaling, and microglial neuroinflammation. She has pioneered studies on the functional cross-talk between epigenetic modifications (histone hyperacetylation) and PKCδ upregulation in dopaminergic neuronal injury.

Education:

• B.S. Biochemistry, PSG College of Arts & Sciences, India (1990)
• Ph.D. Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, Purdue University (2001)

Her work bridges molecular neurobiology and translational research, with recent breakthroughs in understanding autophagy-apoptosis interplay in methamphetamine neurotoxicity and the development of microglial isolation methodologies. Key discoveries include Fyn kinase's role in α-synuclein-driven neurodegeneration and prokineticin-2's neuroprotective potential.

Research Trends: Articles emphasize inflammasome activation (NLRP3/NLRC4), redox signaling pathways (TXNIP/Trx), and drug-induced neurotoxicity mechanisms. Her work highlights PKCδ as a central mediator across diverse neurodegenerative pathways.

Labs & Collaborations: Principal investigator at the Isakson Center for Neurological Disease Research, leading interdisciplinary teams to explore neuroinflammation and drug discovery for neurodegenerative disorders.