Neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and behavioral neuroscience. This work focuses on analyzing recovered locomotion using a variety of quantitative measures, the anatomical substrates for spared function using a variety of anatomical techniques, and potential treatments to enhance recovery. These experiments utilize a variety of physiological, anatomical and behavioral techniques with a focus on structure-function correlations. The focus of the Beattie-Bresnahan laboratories is to contribute knowledge that may be useful in establishing better treatments for neurological disorders, especially spinal cord injury. Our laboratories use a variety of techniques to study plasticity and recovery of function, and collaborations with several other laboratories offer additional training opportunities.
Tissue culture is used to examine cell death pathways.
Collaborative projects use in situ hybridization, receptor binding techniques, and neuropharmacological approaches. Histological and locomotor studies of graded spinal cord contusion using the NYU weight-drop device versus transection. Apoptosis and delayed degeneration after spinal cord injury in rats and monkeys. Apoptosis of microglia and oligodendrocytes after spinal cord injury in rats. Cell death, repair, and recovery of function after spinal cord contusion injuries in rats.