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Department
of
Neurosurgery |
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Yale
University
School of Medicine |
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333 Cedar
Street
P.O. Box 208082
New Haven, CT |
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06520-8082
U.S.A. |
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203-785-2805
neurosurgery@yale.edu
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Role
of Cellular Development in Neurological Disease
Anthony
N. van den Pol, Ph.D., Professor of Neurosurgery
Current
Research Program
We are particularly interested in the mechanisms where neurotransmitters
in early development may play a role in establishing and stabilizing
functional neuronal circuits. To this end we use a variety of approaches
including electrophysiology, tissue culture, molecular biology, ultrastructural
immunocytochemistry, and digital imaging to study the general question
from converging perspectives relating both to neuronal structure and
function. A particular area of interest within the brain is the hypothalamus
that acts as a homeostatic regulator controlling the endocrine system,
biological rhythms, cardiovascular system, and general autonomic tone.
Relationship
of Research to Neurological Disease
Developmental processes may underlie a number of neurological problems.
These relate to normal and abnormal developement. Many childhood behavioral
disabilities may relate to underlying problems in brain development.
We find, for instance, that raising neurons from any region of the brain
in the absence of glutamate neurotransmitter stimulation results, at
a later point in neuronal development, in a hypersensitivity to glutamate,
neuronal hyperexcitability (seizure-like activity), and cell death.
These problems can be reduced to varying degrees by a number of peptide
modulators of glutamate release and response. Another example of clinical
relevance is our finding that the primary inhibitory transmitter in
the brain, GABA, has excitatory actions after neuronal trauma, potentially
resulting in additional secondary brain injury due to the potential
loss of inhibition in affected brain circuits.
An important
theme in the context of this research program is the parallel that occurs
between normal development and recovery after neuronal injury. Understanding
normal brain development facilitates the understanding of the steps
that may occur as neurons recovery from injury.
Dr. van
den Pol can be reached at 203-785-5823
or email to anthony.vandenpol@yale.edu
Copyright
© 2000 Yale University School of Medicine.
All rights reserved. Comments or suggestions to the site editor.
Last
modified:
May 1, 2001
(ps) |
