Physiology “brown-bag” lunchtime seminars are normally held twice a month on WEDNESDAYS at noon in Applied Physiology Building, room 1253 (or as indicated). Special seminar dates/times outside of the regular schedule are indicated as such. In Spring 2021, all speakers will present their talks remotely via BlueJeans.
Contact Dr. Boris Prilutsky, boris.prilutsky@biosci.gatech.edu, to be considered as a future speaker, added to the e-mail distribution list, if you would like to meet with a speaker, or for other seminar-related inquiries.
For directions: Applied Physiology
SEMINAR: Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Emerging therapy for spinal cord injury: neuromodulation and neuroregeneration
Igor Lavrov, MD, PhD
Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering
Mayo Clinic
Abstract
Multiple evidence from pre-clinical and clinical research suggest that spinal cord neuromodulation technologies can treat severe neurological conditions like chronic pain and spinal cord injury. In this talk we will discuss recent pre-clinical and clinical findings with neuromodulation and neuroregenerative approaches to repair of neuronal circuitry and functional connectivity addressing the key principles of neuronal repair: protecting surviving neurons, activating neuronal circuitry, retraining neural nets to restore motor functions, and stimulating axonal regrowth and plasticity. We will discuss the current state of neuromodulation technologies and potential mechanisms of reestablishing the levels of excitability and enabling sensorimotor signaling via residual or regenerated connectivity. Recently we have developed a new approach by which a hydrogel scaffold loaded with cells and small molecules are used to enhance regeneration combined with electrodes that deliver electrical epidural stimulation (EES) enabled rehabilitation. This approach provides application of integrative biotechnology currently being investigated in clinical trials separately. We will discuss the first evidence of the contribution of newly regenerated axons to reorganization of the spinal circuitry and restoration of motor functions with EES. We will further discuss encouraging results demonstrating that spinal cord electrical stimulation enables volitional control of motor function in humans and potential mechanisms underlying EES effect, including recently described translesional spinal network and its reorganization after spinal cord injury. We will evaluate the potential of neuromodulation technologies to engage various components of this network and implementation of the new concepts of neural organization in development of future neuromodulation, rehabilitation, and neuroprosthetics technologies. Elucidating the mechanisms of EES-enabled restoration of motor function after clinically complete injury with sub-functional connectivity is critical for optimizing combined neurostimulation and neuroregenerative therapy. This talk will cover up-to-date results that highlight the important interplay between neuroregenerative and neuromodulatory therapies in enhancing functional recovery.
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Bio: Igor Lavrov, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor at Mayo Clinic, at the Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering and Adjunct Professor at Kazan Federal University. He earned his Medical (Neurology) and Doctoral (Neuroscience) degrees at the Military Medical Academy and Pavlov Institute of Physiology, St. Petersburg, respectively. After completing Postdoctoral Research Fellowships at the University of Louisville and at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), he was working as a junior faculty at UCLA and later as an Assistant Professor at the Mayo Clinic. He also completed clinical fellowship in Deep Brain Stimulation and Clinical Neuromodulation at the Department Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic. Over the course of more than twenty years career in biomedical research, he participated and directed multiple research projects in spinal cord injury and neurorehabilitation, neural circuits, and neurophysiology. The results of this research were critical for development of new approaches for neuromodulation and neurorehabilitation after spinal cord injury. His current research interests are focused on neuronal circuits, their modulation, reorganization, and repair after traumatic injury. The ongoing success of these techniques is leading to establishment of a new perspective for restoration of volitional control of movements after spinal cord injury and also covers multiple aspects of neuromodulation for movement disorders. |
Host: Boris I. Prilutsky, PhD
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
BlueJeans Link
SEMINAR: Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Piecing together the puzzle of Parkinson’s: Cognitive and motor behavioral changes, their interactions and association with cortical and muscle activity
Annette Pantall, PhD
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Newcastle University
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is now recognised as a multisystem disease resulting in a heterogeneous presentation of symptoms and variation in progression. The underlying pathophysiology is nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation together with degeneration of other neurotransmitter networks including cholinergic. Basal ganglia dysfunction in PD is hypothesised to result in disruption to the direct pathway and a greater reliance on the indirect pathway leading to fewer ‘automatic’ movements and more reliance on ‘goal-directed’ behaviour to instigate movement. There are complex interactions between neurotransmitter networks which makes single system analysis challenging. The Brain and Movement Research Group at Newcastle University have conducted studies taking a multi-system approach. The dual task paradigm is used to investigate interactions between cognitive and motor dysfunction. I report on some findings including changes in brain and motor activity and their links to cognitive, gait and postural parameters in people with PD and older adults during dual tasking. I will also discuss some interventions including noninvasive vagal nerve stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation.
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Bio: Annette Pantall is a Senior Research Fellow in the Translational and Clinical Research Institute at Newcastle University. The underlying theme of Dr. Pantall’s research is investigating mechanisms of postural and gait control following trauma or pathology. In vivo methods of evaluating have included functional near infrared spectroscopy and EMG analysis. Current projects include development of a wearable device to monitor muscle health in older adults. |
Host: Boris I. Prilutsky, PhD
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
BlueJeans Link