Scott Counts

Dr. Scott Counts is an Associate Professor in the Cell & Molecular Biology Program at Michigan State University, with faculty appointments in both the Neuroscience Program and BioMolecular Science Gateway. His research focuses on understanding the molecular pathogenic mechanisms underlying selective neuronal vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Counts' research interests center on gene regulation within vulnerable neuronal populations including cholinergic basal forebrain, noradrenergic locus coeruleus, and glutamatergic medial temporal lobe circuits. He investigates differential gene regulation in familial versus sporadic Alzheimer's disease, mechanisms of neurogenetic protection during disease progression, and the discovery of potential cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. His work combines functional genomic approaches with analysis of autopsied human tissue from subjects with normal cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's disease, allowing correlation with clinical pathological variables.

His recent publication record demonstrates consistent research productivity with numerous high-impact publications in Alzheimer's disease research. His work shows a clear progression from basic molecular mechanisms toward translational applications, with increasing focus on microRNA regulation, neurovascular connections, and potential therapeutic targets. The research spans multiple methodologies from molecular biology to clinical correlations, reflecting a comprehensive approach to understanding Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.

Dr. Counts incorporates both human tissue analysis and preclinical transgenic mouse and cell culture models to analyze molecular findings mechanistically. His research bridges insights into Alzheimer's molecular pathology with clinical disease knowledge and human neuropathology, aiming to advance translational research into disease-modifying therapeutics.