Inside the Mind: Ayodeji Abijo on the Future of Neuroscience and Neurodegenerative Research
Introduction
The global burden of neurodegenerative diseases is consistently increasing. It is estimated that in the next 20 years, the incidence and prevalence of neurodegenerative disease will increase by 50%, primarily affecting the older population.[1]
This has posed a significant health, financial, and economic burden.
Neuroscientists who are focused on the science and study of the brain in various aspects over the last ten decades have actively searched to find proposed solutions to this global problem.
In this special feature for MedBound Times, Swabirah Sulaiman, BSc Medical Physiology, speaks with PhD candidate Ayodeji Abijo, BSc (Human Anatomy), MSc (Neuroanatomy), PhD(Interdisciplinary Neuroscience), on the key research insights of neurodegenerative diseases and the future of neuroscience research.
A graduate of LAUTECH and Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, Ayodeji Abijo transitioned his hope to study medicine into a drive focused on finding possible mechanisms to cure neurodegenerative diseases.
With over 5 years plus of experience in research and teaching, Ayodeji Abijo initially focused on stem cell therapies in frontotemporal dementia and is now exploring the potential rescue and reversal effects of an antibody created in his lab for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
In this conversation, he shares insights into neuroscience research, future hopes, and advice for aspiring neuroscience researchers.
The Researchers Journey
Swabirah Sulaiman: Hi Ayodeji, could you please tell our readers a bit about yourself and your journey into neuroscience, how you started, and where you are now?
Ayodeji Abijo: I started my journey with a Bachelor of Science in Human Anatomy, although I originally wanted to study medicine. I was inspired by Ben Carson’s story. While studying Anatomy, my mentor and the drive to be as inspiring as Ben influenced my career path in neuroanatomy, which I majored in for my master’s degree.
I later began my PhD program in Nigeria but opted out to continue in Taiwan. I am now in my fourth year of studies, specializing in interdisciplinary neuroscience with a core focus on neurodegenerative diseases. My current research is focused on the role of a mutation of the TDP-43 gene in ALS.
Research on New Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Swabirah Sulaiman: One of your recent works is a review of cerebral organoids and Alzheimer’s disease. Could you walk us through the key insights from your review on cerebral organoids and their role in advancing Alzheimer’s research, as well as their challenges?
Ayodeji Abijo: The review was inspired by Takayashi and Yamanaka, who were the first to discover the role of reprogrammed stem cell therapies in producing different varieties of cells.
Since then, a lot of advances in stem cell therapy have been discovered. People discovered that 3D modeling of the brain can be used to study different neurological diseases without the limitations of 2D models.
This is where the technology of cerebral organoids can be applied to Alzheimer’s disease by collecting tissue samples from patients and attempting to replicate and understand the disease pathology.
It is one of the most emerging fields in neurodegenerative research.
However, it is not without many challenges, such as cellular diversity, which is the difficulty of fully replicating the disease, and a lack of a vascular system.
Swabirah Sulaiman: Having researched plant extracts, do you think nutrition can influence the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases over the long run?
Ayodeji Abijo: It cannot be stated definitively that nutrition can prevent, halt, or alleviate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
However, at a basic scientific research level, many phytochemical properties in different plants, like bitter leaf, have been found to have neuroprotective effects. We are blessed in Africa with many of these plants with nutritional benefits.
Still, further research, like clinical trials, is needed to test their validity.
Future of Research in Neurodegenerative Disease
Swabirah Sulaiman: As a neuroscientist deep in research, where do you see breakthroughs coming from in the next decade of neurodegenerative disease research?
Ayodeji Abijo: There have been many breakthroughs in neurodegenerative disease research. For instance, Lecanemab, a drug approved by the FDA in the US in 2023 for mild dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
However, it is not without limitations.
Since Alzheimer’s is often not diagnosed early and current treatments focus mostly on symptoms, the drug may not always target the right disease-causing pathology. It also comes with side effects.
This highlights the urgent need to develop biomarkers that can detect the disease at an earlier stage.
Advice for Aspiring Neuroscientists
Swabirah Sulaiman: What key skills or tools should early-career researchers focus on mastering if they want to thrive in the field of neuroscience?
Ayodeji Abijo: Aspiring neuroscientists should have a mix of both technical and soft skills.
Technical skills depend on your area of focus, but skills like cell culture, data analysis, bioinformatics, and molecular biology techniques are very important.
Meanwhile, soft skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking, communication, and critical thinking are equally vital.
“=PhD is not a straight path; you have to develop a problem and find a way to solve the problem you created.
Ayodeji Abijo, PhD Candidate, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience
Swabirah Sulaiman: If you could give just one piece of advice to undergraduates or master’s students interested in neurodegeneration research, what would it be?
Ayodeji Abijo: This is an interesting question. I would say, be very sure of what you want to do from the beginning.
Oftentimes, students in the biomedical sciences (physiology, anatomy, medical biochemistry), especially in Nigeria, feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel. But your thought process defines who you are.
If you believe you will do great things, you will.
So be sure of what you want to do, acquire skills relevant to it, work very hard, and stay focused.
Ayodeji Abijo, PhD Candidate, Interdisciplinary Neuroscience
References
1. Li, Xue, Xiaojin Feng, Xiaodong Sun, Ningning Hou, Fang Han, and Yongping Liu. ‘Global, Regional, and National Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 1990–2019’. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 14 (October 2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.937486.
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