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Dennis Alan Turner

Professor of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery
Box 3807 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
4510 Stead Bldg, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Current clinical research interests include clinical trials regarding adaptive or closed-loop deep brain stimulation with novel devices, cellular, and gene therapy in Parkinson disease. Additional trials have included gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease and sensory restoration for development of brain machine interfaces. Clinical treatments include deep brain stimulation, which is now a common procedure for treating Parkinson disease and tremor. Translational approaches include testing new devices and stimulation patterns in the operating room. Pre-clinical research interests focus on evaluation of cerebral perfusion and metabolism changes with stroke, aging and Alzheimer's disease, using both in vivo and in vitro approaches. These basic science interests include new approaches to cerebral blood flow enhancement with brain stimulation, optical imaging of the brain, cellular understanding of metabolism using direct substrate recordings (ie, oxygen, glucose, lactate, respirometry) and developing new methods to understand neurovascular coupling, analyzing complex interactions between neurons, astrocytes and blood vessels.  Further interests include changes in cerebral blood flow with stroke and enhanced recovery after stroke.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Neurosurgery · 1999 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Professor of Neurobiology · 1999 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery · 2017 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2019 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers

Education, Training & Certifications


Indiana University, School of Medicine · 1975 M.D.
Indiana University at Bloomington · 1973 M.A.
Indiana University at Bloomington · 1971 B.A.