Michael Strong

strong

Scientist
Distinguished University Professor
President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Why I Became a Scientist

My interest has always been in understanding the nature of brain function and dysfunction, leading ultimately to a career in clinical neurology and neurobiological research. In my clinical practice, my focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease). This focus has led to desire to further understand the inherent biology of motor neurons, and how this biology is disturbed in ALS. Ultimately, by gaining this understanding we will be better positioned to develop novel treatment strategies for this devastating disorder.

Research Summary

My clinical research focuses on understanding the natural history of ALS, and in particular the occurrence of “non-motor” manifestations of the disease. Most prominent amongst these are the findings of frontotemporal dysfunction, manifested as a behavioural syndrome, a dysexecutive syndrome, a cognitive syndrome or a florid frontotemporal dementia. We have been specifically interested in the role of advanced neuroimaging techniques in determining who amongst the ALS population is at risk for one or more of these syndromes. In the basic research realm, my research is focused on understanding the neuropathological substrate by which these syndromes occur, leading directly to our research on altered microtubule associated tau protein expression in ALS. Our research into the biology of neurofilament metabolism in ALS has led directly to our discovery of alterations in mRNA metabolism in ALS and the characterization of unique mRNA binding proteins that regulate neurofilament mRNA stability. We have characterized several of these proteins and demonstrated that the protein binding complex responsible for neurofilament mRNA stability is aberrant in ALS – a novel observation with significant biological and therapeutic implications.

Research Questions

What are the characteristics of frontotemporal lobar dysfunction in ALS?

The presence of a frontotemporal syndrome in ALS is associated with a significant reduction in survivorship and is a critical point of dichotomization of ALS patients when considering therapeutic strategies. Moreover, the finding of such a syndrome fundamentally changes the concept of ALS from being a disorder restricted to the motor neurons, to one in which ALS is a multisystems disorder in which motor neurons are selectively but not exclusively vulnerable.

What is the nature of the neuropathology underlying the frontotemporal syndromes of ALS

We have characterized degenerating neocortical neurons in ALS with cognitive impairment as containing aberrant deposits of tau protein. We have shown that tau in ALS is aberrantly phosphorylated at threonine-175, that this phosphorylation is associated with increased insolubility of tau both ex vivo (extracted from ALS brain tissue) and in vitro (transfected cell lines with pseudo-phosphorylation thr-175 tau), and that this process is associated with an upregulation of GSK-3B expression in tau aggregate containing neurons. In vitro, the formation of tau aggregates can be inhibited with lithium – thus providing a critical therapeutic strategy for treating this specific aspect of ALS.

Is ALS an RNA mediated disorder?

We have observed that ALS-associated mutations in copper/zinc superoxide dismutase give rise to a novel mRNA binding protein that destabilizes NFL mRNA; that 14-3-3 proteins, known to form aggregates in ALS also regulate NFL mRNA stability; and that TDP-43, the most recently discovered ALS associated protein that is mutated in genetic variants of ALS, is also a NFL mRNA binding protein that stabilizes the mRNA transcript but fails to do so in ALS. We have discovered a novel mRNA binding protein (RGNEF) that is aberrantly expressed in ALS and are characterizing a panel of unique miRNAs that are aberrantly expressed in ALS. All of this data points strongly to a novel conceptualization of ALS as a RNA mediated disorder.

Education

Protein Chemistry Methodology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. G.S.V. Johnson, 1992 (CIBA Foundation Bursar)
Research Fellowship, Laboratory of Central Nervous System Studies, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 1987-1990 (Supervisor: Ralph M. Garruto, PhD.; Laboratory Chief: D. Carleton Gajdusek, MD, Nobel Laureate)
Recombinant DNA Methodology, Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, Inc., National Institutes of Health, 1989
Doctor of Medicine, 1978-1982, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
Undergraduate Biochemistry 1976-1978, Queen's University

Training

Resident, Neurology, 1984-1987, University of Western Ontario
Resident, Medicine, 1982-1984, University of Western Ontario

Awards

Excellence in Teaching Award, University Students' Council, Western University, 2013
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012
Fellow, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, 2009
Distinguished University Professor, University of Western Ontario, 2009
Forbes Norris Award, International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations, 2008
Fellow, The American Academy of Neurology, 2008
Faculty Scholar Award, The University of Western Ontario, July 2006-2008
Best Doctors in Canada Listing, 2002 – 2003; 2006-2007; 2007-2008
Excellence in Teaching Award, University Student’s Council, University of Western Ontario, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Sheila Essay Award, American Academy of Neurology, April 2005
Honorary Life Member, ALS Society of Canada
Arthur J. Hudson Chair in ALS Research, 2001-current
Hilda Glassman Award for Clinical Management Research, The ALS Association, 1999
The Premier’s Research Excellence Award, 1999
International Who’s Who of Professionals listing, 1996
Medical Research Council of Canada Scholar, 1991-1996
CIBA Foundation Symposium Bursary. Aluminum in Biology and Medicine, London, England, 1991
Francis McNaughton Memorial Prize for Clinical Research, Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1991
Medical Research Council of Canada Fellowship, 1988-90• Health Research Personnel Development
Program Fellowship, Ontario Ministry of Health, 1988-89 (declined)