
Annakaisa Haapasalo Group (Molecular Neurodegeneration)
Research group
Our research focus lies in the genetic background and molecular mechanisms underpinning neurodegenerative diseases, especially frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We utilize a variety of in vitro and in vivo model systems and patient-derived cells, clinical samples and data. We are especially interested in the function and dysfunction of neuronal synapses, cell metabolism, cellular degradation mechanisms, such as autophagy and proteasomes, as well as glial cells that mediate neuroinflammation. In our translational studies, we closely collaborate with clinical researchers to identify novel biomarkers, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic targets.
We are part of the Finnish FinFTD research network, which brings together Finnish basic and clinical FTD researchers. We also belong to the UEF Neuroscience Research Community (NSciRC).
*** Read more from links in the list of publications about our most recent studies on e.g., the effects of C9orf72 repeat expansion on synapses, a new genetic marker for the C9orf72 repeat expansion, blood-based GFAP as a biomarker in FTD, and utilization of FTD patients' skin fibroblasts in disease mechanistic studies and their potential in biomarker and drug research.
Funder(s)
Main funder
Academy of Finland


Other funders
EU-JPND H2020
Sigrid Jusélius Foundation
Group description
Homepage of the groupKeywords
Time period
Group members - UEF
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Annakaisa Haapasalo Research Director , Faculty of Health Sciences, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences
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Dorit Hoffmann Project Researcher , Faculty of Health Sciences, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences
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Hannah Rostalski Early Stage Researcher , Faculty of Health Sciences, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences
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Nadine Huber Early Stage Researcher , Faculty of Health Sciences, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences
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Stina Leskelä Grant recipient , Faculty of Health Sciences, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences
Leader(s)
Post-doctoral Researchers
Doctoral Researchers
Previous group members
Collaboration with UEF research groups
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Finnish FTD Research Network (FinFTD) Promoting collaboration and networking in front...
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AIVI Stem Cell Center The stem cell core facility of Biocenter Kuopio...
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Bioinformatics Center Bioinformatics Center provides expert services ...
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Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Disorders Research focus: pathogenesis of Alzheimer's res...
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Cell and Tissue Imaging Unit Our imaging core facility provides the instrume...
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Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration and Early Onset Dementia Research group director: Eino Solje, MD, PhD,...
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GenomMed The Genetics and Mechanisms in Translational Me...
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Molecular Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease
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Neuro-Innovation Neuro-Innovation is an EU Horizon2020 MSCA fund...
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Neuroinflammation research group Acute and slowly degenerative diseases, such as...
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Neurobiology of Memory Our research group investigates neurobiological...
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UEF Neurodegeneration – Myohanen Lab Our research group is focused on studying the m...
Cooperation partners
Links
Publications
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A Novel Genetic Marker for the C9orf72 Repeat Expansion in the Finnish Population Rostalski, H; Korhonen, V; Kuulasmaa, T; Solje, E; Krüger, J; Gen, F; Kaivola, K; Eide, PK; Lambert, JC; Julkunen, V; Tienari, PJ; Remes, AM; Leinonen, V; Hiltunen, M; Haapasalo, A. 2021. A Novel Genetic Marker for the C9orf72 Repeat Expansion in the Finnish Population Journal of Alzheimer's disease 83 3: 1325-1332. 2021
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Alzheimerin taudin uudet riskigeenit - keskiössä mikrogliasolut Martiskainen, Henna; Takalo, Mari; Konttinen, Henna; Malm, Tarja; Haapasalo, Annakaisa; Leinonen, Ville; Hiltunen, Mikko. 2021. Alzheimerin taudin uudet riskigeenit - keskiössä mikrogliasolut Duodecim 137 13: 1375- 1382. 2021
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Common variants in Alzheimer's disease and risk stratification by polygenic risk scores de Rojas, I; Moreno-Grau, S; Tesi, N; Grenier-Boley, B; Andrade, V; Jansen, IE; Pedersen, NL; Stringa, N; Zettergren, A; Hernández, I; Montrreal, L; Antúnez, C; Antonell, A; Tankard, RM; Bis, JC; Sims, R; Bellenguez, C; Quintela, I; González-Perez, A; Calero, M; et al; [incl. Haapasalo, A; Soininen, H; Lehtisalo, J; Kivipelto, M; Kuulasmaa, T; Hiltunen, M]. 2021. Common variants in Alzheimer's disease and risk stratification by polygenic risk scores Nature communications 12 1: 3417. 2021
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Deficient neurotransmitter systems and synaptic function in frontotemporal lobar degeneration-Insights into disease mechanisms and current therapeutic approaches Huber, Nadine; Korhonen, Sonja; Hoffmann, Dorit; Leskelä, Stina; Rostalski, Hannah; Remes, Anne M.; Honkakoski, Paavo; Solje, Eino; Haapasalo, Annakaisa. 2021. Deficient neurotransmitter systems and synaptic function in frontotemporal lobar degeneration-Insights into disease mechanisms and current therapeutic approaches Molecular psychiatry Published online: 19 November 2021: 1 - 10. 2021
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Expression of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion leads to formation of RNA foci and dipeptide repeat proteins but does not influence autophagy or proteasomal function in neuronal cells Leskelä, Stina; Huber, Nadine; Hoffmann, Dorit; Rostalski, Hannah; Remes, Anne M; Takalo, Mari; Hiltunen, Mikko; Haapasalo, Annakaisa. 2021. Expression of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion leads to formation of RNA foci and dipeptide repeat proteins but does not influence autophagy or proteasomal function in neuronal cells Biochimica et biophysica acta: molecular cell research 1868 7: 119021. 2021
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FTLD Patient-Derived Fibroblasts Show Defective Mitochondrial Function and Accumulation of p62 Leskelä, S; Hoffmann, D; Rostalski, H; Huber, N; Wittrahm, R; Hartikainen, P; Korhonen, V; Leinonen, V; Hiltunen, M; Solje, E; Remes, AM; Haapasalo, A. 2021. FTLD Patient-Derived Fibroblasts Show Defective Mitochondrial Function and Accumulation of p62 Molecular neurobiology 58 11: 5438-5458. 2021
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GFAP as a biomarker in frontotemporal dementia and primary psychiatric disorders: diagnostic and prognostic performance Katisko, Kasper; Cajanus, Antti; Huber, Nadine; Jääskeläinen, Olli; Kokkola, Tarja; Kärkkäinen, Virve; Rostalski, Hannah; Hartikainen, Paivi; Koivisto, Anne M; Hannonen, Sanna; Lehtola, Juha-Matti; Korhonen, Ville E; Helisalmi, Seppo; Koivumaa-Honkanen, Heli; Herukka, Sanna-Kaisa; Remes, Anne M; Solje, Eino; Haapasalo, Annakaisa. 2021. GFAP as a biomarker in frontotemporal dementia and primary psychiatric disorders: diagnostic and prognostic performance Journal of neurology neurosurgery and psychiatry 92 12: 1305-1312. 2021
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Otsa-ohimolohkorappeumat - miten tunnistan ja hoidan? Krüger, Johanna; Katisko, Kasper; Suhonen, Noora-Maria; Haapasalo, Annakaisa; Remes, Anne M; Solje, Eino. 2021. Otsa-ohimolohkorappeumat - miten tunnistan ja hoidan? Duodecim 137 21: 2307-2316. 2021
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BV-2 Microglial Cells Overexpressing C9orf72 Hexanucleotide Repeat Expansion Produce DPR Proteins and Show Normal Functionality but No RNA Foci Rostalski, Hannah; Hietanen, Tomi; Leskelä, Stina; Behánová, Andrea; Abdollahzadeh, Ali; Wittrahm, Rebekka; Mäkinen, Petra; Huber, Nadine; Hoffmann, Dorit; Solje, Eino; Remes, Anne M; Natunen, Teemu; Takalo, Mari; Tohka, Jussi; Hiltunen, Mikko; Haapasalo, Annakaisa. 2020. BV-2 Microglial Cells Overexpressing C9orf72 Hexanucleotide Repeat Expansion Produce DPR Proteins and Show Normal Functionality but No RNA Foci Frontiers in neurology 11: 550140. 2020
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Frontotemporal dementia: a conference report from the 2nd FinFTD Symposium Hoffmann, Dorit; Huber, Nadine; Leskelä, Stina; Rostalski, Hannah; Solje, Eino; Remes, Anne M; Haapasalo, Annakaisa. 2020. Frontotemporal dementia: a conference report from the 2nd FinFTD Symposium Neurodegenerative disease management 10 3: 1758-2024. 2020