Jefferson W. Kinney

Jefferson W. Kinney is a Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Brain Health at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). He co-directs both the Pam Quirk Brain Health and Biomarker Laboratory and the Translational Mechanisms and Drug Discovery Laboratory, focusing on neurodegenerative diseases.

• Colorado State University - PhD
• National Institute of Mental Health - Intramural Research Training Fellowship
• The Scripps Research Institute - Helen Dorris Fellowship

Dr. Kinney's research spans cellular and molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease, with emphasis on:

• Neuronal-glial interactions in AD pathogenesis
• Role of GABA B receptors in memory deficits
• Diabetes-induced AD risk (insulin signaling, hyperglycemia)
• Neuroinflammatory pathways in AD and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Translational biomarker discovery in clinical samples
• GPCR signaling in microglial activation

His publications reveal a focus on GABAergic dysfunction, metabolic comorbidities, and translational models bridging preclinical and clinical AD research. Key techniques include:

• Transgenic mouse models (APP/PS1)
• Cellular/molecular biology (qRT-PCR, Western blot)
• Behavioral assays (Barnes maze, fear conditioning)
• Immortalized microglia cultures (BV2 cells)

Scientific Honors:

• Reg Grundy and Joy Chambers-Grundy Chair for Brain Health
• Helen Dorris Fellowship in Neuropharmacology
• NIMH Intramural Research Training Fellowship

Dr. Kinney leads two interconnected laboratories that synergize preclinical mechanisms (Translational Mechanisms and Drug Discovery Laboratory) with clinical biomarker discovery (Pam Quirk Brain Health and Biomarker Laboratory).