Takahiro Masuda Honored with Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development President’s Award at Kyushu University
On January 17, 2025, the seventh Japan Medical Research and Development Awards ceremony was held at the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan. Distinguished Professor Takahiro Masuda, affiliated with the Division of Molecular Neuroimmunology at Kyushu University’s Medical Institute of Bioregulation, received the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) President’s Award.
The Purpose of the Awards
The Japan Medical Research and Development Awards aim to recognize significant contributions to medical research and development that promote global health advancements. The AMED President’s Award is specifically awarded to individuals demonstrating exceptional accomplishments, particularly in mentoring early-career researchers. Notably, four researchers from Kyushu University have previously received this distinction.
Professor Masuda’s Research Focus
Professor Masuda was honored for his groundbreaking research on CNS-associated macrophages, a type of specialized immune cell that he was the first to investigate comprehensively. These macrophages are located in the brain’s boundary regions, including the meninges, perivascular spaces, and choroid plexus, areas that had not been extensively studied until now.
Key Findings and Characteristics
His research indicates that CNS-associated macrophages share a common progenitor cell lineage with microglia but exhibit distinct genetic and functional characteristics that differentiate them from microglial cells in brain tissue. Additionally, Professor Masuda’s findings reveal mechanisms by which these macrophages establish residency in the brain’s border regions and persist throughout an individual’s life, from fetal development into adulthood.
Implications for Neurological Disorders
The implications of this research may have significant relevance for addressing conditions related to depression and cognitive decline, enhancing the understanding of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism spectrum disorder, and aiding in the innovation of therapies and drug discovery.
Cited source: Kyushu University
