Multimodal Microvascular Mapping for Head and Neck, Skull Base Research and Education: An Anatomical Donor Study.

 This study was aimed to develop a method combining computed tomography (CT) and fluorescence imaging, allowing identification of microvasculature in anatomical donors and facilitating translational research and education.  We investigated homogeneity and radiopacity of 30 different mixtures including radiopaque substances povidone-iodine (Betadine), barium sulfate (BaSO ), and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) varying in suspension and dilution with agar, latex, or gelatin. Three candidate mixtures were selected for testing the extent of perfusion in renal vasculature to establish methodology.

Cell based therapy reduces secondary damage and increases extent of microglial activation following cortical injury.

Cortical injury elicits long-term cytotoxic and cytoprotective mechanisms within the brain and the balance of these pathways can determine the functional outcome for the individual. Cytotoxicity is exacerbated by production of reactive oxygen species, accumulation of iron, and peroxidation of cell membranes and myelin. There are currently no neurorestorative treatments to aid in balancing the cytotoxic and cytoprotective mechanisms following cortical injury.

Cell based therapy enhances activation of ventral premotor cortex to improve recovery following primary motor cortex injury.

Stroke results in enduring damage to the brain which is accompanied by innate neurorestorative processes, such as reorganization of surviving circuits. Nevertheless, patients are often left with permanent residual impairments. Cell based therapy is an emerging therapeutic that may function to enhance the innate neurorestorative capacity of the brain.

Microglia activation and phagocytosis: relationship with aging and cognitive impairment in the rhesus monkey.

While cognitive decline is observed in the normal aging monkey, neurons are not lost with age. Instead, frontal white matter is lost as myelin degenerates and both correlate with age-related cognitive decline. As age-related myelin damage increases, there should be an increase in clearance of damaged myelin by microglial phagocytosis.