See Also: NRC Membership Listing > Neurological Disorders

Epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, degenerative diseases and developmental neurology are five neurological conditions that are investigated extensively at the Neuroscience Research Center. Much hope for the alleviation of these debilitating conditions is provided by the center's ongoing research.

Epilepsy Program

An epileptic seizure is the result of a temporary disturbance of the brain's normal rhythm. Researchers at the Neuroscience Research Center have significantly improved our understanding of epileptic seizures, particularly those that are genetic in nature. NRC faculty members are studying changes in neurotransmitters, receptors and transporters to understand how nerve cells communicate with each other, and why that communication goes awry in epilepsy. Their findings have uncovered abnormalities at the molecular level, and pinpoint the exact location of problem areas that lead to epileptic seizures. The results of these studies are the basis of current treatment protocols in epilepsy clinics across the nation. New anticonvulsant drugs also are under study by several NRC faculty. Modern neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) are used to localize epileptic activity in patients whose epilepsy may be controlled with surgery.

Cerebrovascular (Stroke) Program

Stroke is the common name for several disorders that occur within seconds or minutes after the blood supply to the brain is disturbed. The medical term for stroke is cerebrovascular accident, because stroke originates in the blood vessels of the brain. Researchers in the Stroke Program at the Neuroscience Research Center are using animals to develop techniques for reducing the damage caused by stroke in the area of the brain where the stroke originated and in adjacent areas. Their efforts hold promise for reducing the severity of strokes. In addition, researchers in this program are conducting epidemiological studies that examine the incidence of strokes in specific ethnic groups as well as the economic impact of strokes and their management in the community.

Multiple Sclerosis Program

More than 200,000 Americans have multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease of the central nervous system. MS is a demyelinating disease; inflammation in an area of the nervous system results in the destruction of the insulating sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers, leaving multiple areas of scarring (sclerosis). Muscle coordination, vision, and other neural functions are slowed or blocked. Researchers in the MS Program are conducting studies to determine why MS occurs, and are examining the role oral interferon may have on MS and other demyelinating disorders.

Degenerative Diseases Program

Parkinson's disease is the primary research focus in the Degenerative Diseases Program. More than one million Americans are affected by this condition, marked by a progressive degeneration of nerve cells in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. The nerve cells affected by Parkinson's disease produce a chemical called dopamine, which is important for signaling from one cell to another within the brain. In Parkinson's disease, the dopamine is lost, resulting in impairment of walking, arm movements, and facial expression. Researchers in the Degenerative Diseases Program are studying the role of new dopamine drugs and developing new clinical and neuroimaging techniques to use in surgery, including surgical stimulation and inactivation of part of the brain to treat involuntary movements.

Developmental Neurology Program

This program brings together clinical neurologists and developmental neuropsychologists who study language function in normal subjects and patients with epilepsy, head trauma and hydrocephalus. Scientists in this program also study how genetic information is transferred in disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system.