Research Opportunities
Research Coordinator: Ms. Kelly Scarchilli
A new neuroscience research facility has been constructed immediately adjacent to the
clinical wing of the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute at JFK Medical Center. The
proximity of the new labs to existing space fosters collaborative translational research
that benefits both researchers and clinicians. The new laboratory spaces are designed
for behavioral assessment and phenotyping of animal models of human neurologic
disease, neuroanatomical/histological studies of the nervous system, cellular
neurophysiology and neuropharmacology, neurogenetics, human physiology and
neuropsychological testing. The following pages contain brief descriptions of the current
research projects being conducted in each of these laboratories.
**This program is not able to accept additional volunteers at this time. We expect to have openings in the Fall 2010.**
For information regarding volunteer activities in the laboratories,please contact Ms.
Scarchilli by telephone (732-321-7940) or email.
Human Systems Laboratory for Neural Dynamics
Laboratory Director: Dr. Michael Rosenberg
The Human Systems Laboratory for Neural Dynamics seeks to better define CNS
physiology by exploring linkages among different neural systems. Our guiding
hypothesis is that human physiological systems are linked by central mechanisms that
drive both voluntary (somatic) and involuntary (autonomic nervous system, or ANS)
activity. We simultaneously and continuously measure somatic motor and sudomotor
activities, pupil size, cardiac and respiratory activity, and cerebral blood flow. By
employing novel nonlinear signal processing techniques, we are beginning to define
correlations between the somatic and autonomic systems, activities that have
traditionally been considered independent. Our goal is to advance neurologic diagnostic
capabilities by evaluating not only how each system performs in isolation, but also how
interactions among the systems are affected by neurologic disease states. Specifically,
we are interested in evaluating alterations in central nervous system control over a
broad spectrum of neurological conditions, including degenerative processes such as
Parkinson’s disease, congenital disorders including autism and attention deficit disorder,
as well as acquired abnormalities such as traumatic brain injury, hydrocephalus and
various sleep disorders. We are confident that this novel, comprehensive approach to
neurologic evaluation will result in more highly focused and effective treatments.
Additional areas of interest include using ANS and pupillary measurements to obtain
objective assessments of consciousness at the bedside in minimally conscious patients,
and the application of new nonlinear mathematical tools to other physiological and
pathophysiological systems.
Neurogenetics Laboratory
Laboratory Director: Dr. Raji Grewal
The overall goal of the Neurogenetics Laboratory is to identify the genetic bases for
neurologic diseases. One major current research focus is a study of the genetics of
stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third most common cause of
death in the United States. In order to identify the genetic contribution to the
development of stroke, we initially perform a careful neurological examination,
categorizing the type and cause of the patient’s stroke. We extract DNA from blood
samples from these patients, and then perform a genetic analysis in which we compare
changes in the genes of the stroke patients with samples from healthy age- and gendermatched
controls. Our initial results are published and have been presented at major
international meetings. Once we obtain funding to conduct a larger scale genetic
analysis, we expect that results will provide insight into the causes of stroke and will
contribute to the development of new and more robust treatment options.
Pain Research Laboratory
Laboratory Director: Dr. Ratan Banik
Chronic neuropathic pain results from nerve injury. It is a source of unrelenting
agony for millions of Americans since there are no effective pharmacotherapies
available. In light of the significant increases in the incidence of diabetes, road traffic
accidents, tuberculosis, cancer and major surgical interventions, which lead to
neuropathic pain states, it is likely that this problem will continue to present challenges
to treatment. A major complaint of neuropathic pain patients is constant burning
together with intermittent pain often described as shooting, electric shock-like, the
feeling of walking on broken glass, or the sensation of bugs crawling under skin. The
mechanism underlying this spontaneous neuropathic pain (SNP) is thought to include
abnormal spontaneous activity of the peripheral pain sensing receptors, nociceptors.
Few explanations have been advanced to explain why and how nociceptors fire
spontaneously in these neuropathic pain states.
New research in this laboratory focuses on identifying the role of TrpV1, a heat
activated receptor, in SNP and will evaluate the overall hypothesis that TrpV1 mediated
abnormal firing of nociceptors leads to SNP-like behaviors in an animal model of nerve
injury. Upon completion of this study, we expect to have clarified the precise function
and significance of TrpV1 in the physiological and behavioral mechanisms of nerveinjury
related pain. The results of this research will provide the scientific basis for the
development of new, effective and specific pharmacotherapeutics.
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