Research

How does blood affect cognitive function in aging and neurological conditions?

The brain is one of the most highly perfused organs in the body — yet we are only beginning to understand how the blood factors shape brain function.

Once viewed primarily as mediators of clotting, platelets are now emerging as dynamic regulators of cognitive function. We aim to redefine the role of platelets, uncovering how platelet factors influence cognitive resilience and vulnerability across aging and neurodegeneration.

By integrating mouse behavior assays with cutting-edge proteomics and advanced imaging, we aim to identify actionable blood—to— brain pathways that can be targeted to promote cognitive resilience.

How does lifestyle intervention reshape blood to influence cognitive function?

Perhaps the answers to enhancing and restoring brain function are already embedded in our daily lives.

Lifestyle interventions  — including, but not limited to,  exercise, dietary modulation, and cognitive challenge — profoundly shape brain health, yet the systemic mechanisms behind these benefits remain largely unknown.

The Park Lab investigates how lifestyle intervention remodels blood factors to promote cognitive resilience. Our vision is to decode the dialogue between body and brain — and harness it to preserve and restore cognitive health.