Testing Amyloid Cross-Toxicity in the Vertebrate Brain.

While amyloid proteins such as amyloid β (Aβ),α-synuclein, tau, and lysozyme are known to be prion-like; emerging data have revealed that they are also able to seed the misfolding of prion-like proteins differing in sequence. In the present study, we have developed a tool designed to test neurohistochemical outcomes associated with the entry of an amyloid protein into heterotypic neurons, i.e.

Traumatic Brain Injury Occludes Training-Dependent Cortical Reorganization in the Contralesional Hemisphere.

Rehabilitative training drives plasticity in the ipsilesional (injured) motor cortex that is believed to support recovery of motor function after either stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI). In addition, adaptive plasticity in the contralesional (uninjured) motor cortex has been well-characterized in the context of stroke. While similar rehabilitation-dependent plasticity in the intact hemisphere may occur after TBI, this has yet to be thoroughly explored.

Forelimb training drives transient map reorganization in ipsilateral motor cortex.

Skilled motor training results in reorganization of contralateral motor cortex movement representations. The ipsilateral motor cortex is believed to play a role in skilled motor control, but little is known about how training influences reorganization of ipsilateral motor representations of the trained limb. To determine whether training results in reorganization of ipsilateral motor cortex maps, rats were trained to perform the isometric pull task, an automated motor task that requires skilled forelimb use.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Delivered with Motor Training Enhances Recovery of Function after Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the largest health problems in the United States, and affects nearly 2 million people every year. The effects of TBI, including weakness and loss of coordination, can be debilitating and last years after the initial injury. Recovery of motor function is often incomplete.

Controlled-cortical impact reduces volitional forelimb strength in rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the largest health problems in the United States and affects both cognitive and motor function. Although weakness is common in TBI patients, few studies have demonstrated a reduction in strength in models of brain injury. We have developed a behavioral method to measure volitional forelimb strength and quantify forelimb weakness following traumatic brain injury.