As an early leader in brain epigenetics (the study of how, when, and why combinations of genes are turned on and off to make proteins), Nasser Zawia, University of Rhode Island (URI) professor of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences and Ryan research professor of neuroscience, was among the first to show a potential link between childhood lead exposure and the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

“If your brain cells are impacted during this critical window of development, it can permanently reprogram gene expression,” Zawia says. “Once your neurons develop, they mostly stay with you for a lifetime.”

His work has helped pave the way for the understanding of how environmental toxins—particularly in poorer communities—can lead to later disease. Chemical pollutants, such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) once used in stain repellants, remain present in many household products. Zawia worked on a study with URI pharmacy Professor Angela Slitt on the role of PFOS in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

“These ‘forever’ chemicals enter your body and stay there a very long time,” says Zawia. “We are finding that they have an impact on neuromuscular function and biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, and autism.”

Zawia will serve as consultant on a new grant at Boston University to study the role of metallic toxins in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. His research has also helped shed light at gene-level changes that may precede Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, Zawia looked at the potential to repurpose an anti-inflammatory drug to “turn off” Alzheimer’s disease at the gene level.

“Many therapies target Alzheimer’s disease at its end stages,” explains Zawia. “I’m interested to see how we can intervene with the gene machinery before the pathology starts.”