This dissertation is accessible only to the Illinois State University community.
- Off-Campus ISU Users: To download this item, click the "Off-Campus Download" button below. You will be prompted to log in with your ISU ULID and password.
- Non-ISU Users: Contact your library to request this item through interlibrary loan.
Graduation Term
Spring 2026
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
School of Biological Sciences
Committee Chair
Pirmin Nietlisbach
Committee Co-Chair
Alysia Vrailas-Mortimer
Committee Member
Jan Dahl
Committee Member
Tom Hammond
Committee Member
Ben Sadd
Committee Member
Nathan Mortimer
Abstract
PD is tightly linked with increased oxidative stress, which is thought to contribute to the death of the dopaminergic neurons leading to disease symptoms. Cells have evolved many different mechanisms to maintain redox balance and survive oxidative stress, including tightly regulated homeostasis pathways and antioxidant systems. Despite extensive study of oxidative stress responses, important gaps remain in understanding how these pathways are transcriptionally regulated and how the interact with genetic and environmental forms of PD. Here, we aim to address these gaps by 1) examining if disruptions in copper homeostasis are a risk factor for disease severity across genetic forms of PD and 2) characterizing how transcriptional regulation of p38Kb may contribute to an environmental induced form of PD using the paraquat model. Together, these studies aim to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that underlie PD and potentially identify new therapeutic targets for the treatment of PD.
Access Type
Dissertation-ISU Access Only
Recommended Citation
Allen, Brooke M., "Balancing Cellular Stress: Copper Homeostasis and Transcriptional Regulation as Modifiers of Parkinson's Disease Susceptibility" (2026). Theses and Dissertations. 2328.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/2328