Leyla Akay

Leyla Akay is a Researcher affiliated with the Picower Institute for Learning & Memory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her work focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), with an emphasis on myelin biology, lipid metabolism, and APOE4 genotype effects. She employs cutting-edge techniques including single-cell transcriptomics, in vitro human cell models, and systems biology approaches to dissect disease pathways.

Her research interests integrate cellular biology, genetics, and neurovascular dynamics, targeting APOE4’s role in myelination defects, cholesterol dysregulation, and vascular dysfunction in AD. Recent studies highlight novel insights into multisensory stimulation’s impact on glymphatic clearance and the role of microglial Siglec-F in neuroinflammation.

Her publications span 2018-2025, emphasizing multi-region brain analysis, lipid homeostasis disruption, and in vitro BBB modeling. While no awards or grants are explicitly listed, her work aligns with Picower’s focus on translational neuroscience. She is actively involved in collaborative projects at MIT’s Picower Institute, contributing to the institute’s initiatives in neurodegenerative disease research.