Rutgers University
Division of Life Sciences
Nelson Biological Labs
604 Allison Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854

(732) 445-2061
FAX: (732) 445-2063

wisey@pipeline.com

Brain and spinal cord injury research

• Molecular and genetic analyses of the injury response
• Atomic absorption spectroscopy to measure tissue damage
• Immunohistochemistry
• ELISA to assess proteins
• Behavioral assessments of locomotor and other functions
• Physical modeling and computer simulations

Our laboratory studies brain and spinal cord injury using a wide variety of techniques to assess mechanisms and treatments of tissue damage; apoptosis, demyelination, degeneration, and dysfunction. These techniques include molecular and genetic analyses of the injury response, atomic absorption spectroscopy to measure tissue damage, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA to assess proteins, behavioral assessments of locomotor and other functions. Physical modeling and computer simulations of injury and animal (rat) models of brain and spinal cord injury. Therapies studies include glucocorticoids, neurotransmitter and other receptor blockers, growth factors such as neurotrophins and fibroblast growth factors, enzyme inhibitors such as selegiline, cellular adhesion molecules such as L1 and ngCAM, glycolipids such as gangliosides, and small molecules that block ionic channels such as Na, K, and Ca channels, cell transplants, and proteins.

Our goal is to discover, test, and develop practical therapies of brain and spinal cord injury. Much on four therapeutic targets: neuroprotection, optimizing function of surviving axons, remyelination, and regeneration.

For complete list: PubMed

Bracken MB, Shepard MJ, Holford TR, Leo-Summers L, Aldrich EF, Fazl M, Fehlings MG, Herr DL, Hitchon PW, Marshall LF, Nockels RP, Pascale V, Perot PL, Jr., Piepmeier J, Sonntag VK, Wagner F, Wilberger JE, Winn HR, Young W (1998)
Methylprednisolone or tirilazad mesylate administration after acute spinal cord injury: 1-year follow up. Results of the third National Acute Spinal Cord Injury randomized controlled trial.
J Neurosurg 89: 699-706

Sala F, Menna G, Bricolo A, Young W (1999)
Role of glycemia in acute spinal cord injury. Data from a rat experimental model and clinical experience.
Ann N Y Acad Sci 890: 133-54

Saruhashi Y, Young W, Sugimori M, Abrahams J, Sakuma J (1999)
GABA increases refractoriness of adult rat dorsal column axons.
Neuroscience 94: 1207-12

Yoon DH, Kim YS, Young W (1999)
Therapeutic time window for methylprednisolone in spinal cord injured rat.
Yonsei Med J 40: 313-20

Bracken MB, Aldrich EF, Herr DL, Hitchon PW, Holford TR, Marshall LF, Nockels RP, Pascale V, Shepard MJ, Sonntag VK, Winn HR, Young W (2000)
Clinical measurement, statistical analysis, and risk-benefit: controversies from trials of spinal injury.
J Trauma 48: 558-61