Residents and students interested in participating in neurology or neuroscience research have many opportunities within the Department of Neurology. Elective time and departmental support for research can be arranged for those interested. Below is a sampling of current research activities in our department:
Movement Disorders
- Research into the use of kinematic and dynamic analysis to quantitatively characterize gait disorders in parkinsonian syndromes and vestibular disease using a model-based approach. Contact Dr. Catherine Cho for more information.
- Laboratory research investigating the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on behavior and brain chemistry in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Contact Dr. Ruth Walker for more information.
- Research into rare causes of movement disorders, specifically, the neuroacanthocytosis syndromes, and other inherited neurological disorders. Contact Dr. Ruth Walker for more information.
- Studies on the neuropsychology of emotion, aging, and gender, as well as cognitive and affective functioning in Parkinson's disease. Contact Dr. Joan Borod for more information.
- Ambulatory monitoring of motor fluctuations in Parkinson’s Disease. Contact Dr. Steven Moore for more information.
Multiple Sclerosis
Contact Michele Weber for more information.
- Clinical trials of new agents and approaches to treating MS
- Research studies on the natural history of MS, including recovery from MS relapses.
- Basic science studies on glial cell biology, blood brain barrier and CNS repair
- Study comparing efficacy of oral versus IV steroids for acute exacerbation of MS (OMEGA study- oral megadose corticosteroid therapy of acute exacerbations in MS)
- Translational research study examining the role of magnesium and aquaporin-4 immunoreactivity in neuromyelitis optica as a potential therapy
Peripheral Neurology and NeuroAIDS
Please contact Dr. Jessica Robinson-Papp for more information.
- Clinical trials of therapeutics for the neurologic complications of HIV (neuropathic pain, cognitive impairment, PML)
- Longitudinal studies of the neurologic complications of HIV (The Manhattan HIV Brain Bank (MHBB) and for CNS HIV Anti-Retroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER))
- Studies of treatments for familial amyloid polyneuropathy
Neurobiology
- Studies involving systems biology of neurological disease. Contact Dr. Stuart Sealfon for more information.
- Studies of computerized dynamic posturography
- Research using Galvanic vestibular stimulation as a model of the sensorimotor effects of spaceflight. Contact Dr. Steven Moore for more information.
Stroke
Please contact Dr. Colum Amory or Dr. Steven Levine for more information.
- Clinical trials investigating the use of tenecteplase for thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke
- Clinical trials investigating the use intraventricular t-PA in ICH patients with extension of blood into the ventricular system
- Studies examining the use of peer-led support groups to improve the use of stroke prevention strategies
- Research into the use of telemedicine in acute stroke
- Stroke outcomes research from exisiting stroke databases (NINDS rt-PA Stroke Trial, APASS-WARSS)
