Overview
General Research Focus: Cerebrovascular Disease/Stroke. Research efforts have involved several aspects of cerebrovascular disease. In the laboratory, work has centered on developing an understanding of the mechanisms underlying pharmacological modulation of motor recovery after injury to the cerebral cortex and has led to several clinical studies in patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury. Research in stroke has also focused on health policy issues related to the use of carotid endarterectomy and optimization of stroke prevention strategies. Research involving new therapies for acute stroke has been carried out through clinical trials. Current focus is on identifying genes associated with small-vessel type stroke.
Specific Approaches: Laboratory Research: Studies of recovery after sensorimotor cortex injury have focused on measurement of neurobehavioral recovery as influenced by systemically administered drugs modulating the activities of specific central neurotransmitters. This work has involved behavioral measures, stereotactic lesioning, basic neurochemistry, cerebral microdialysis, and immunocytochemistry. Health Policy Research: Work has focused on clinical health policy related to cerebrovascular disease carried out in conjunction with the Center for Clinical Health Policy Research. These studies have centered on the utilization of carotid endarterectomy and the optimization of secondary and tertiary stroke prevention with an emphasis on outcome measures.
Clinical Trials: Principal investigator at Duke for several stroke acute treatment trials including studies of GM1-ganglioside and several neuroprotective drugs including CGS-19755 (Selfotel), Eliprodil, and a glycine receptor antagonist. Principal or co-investigator at Duke for several stroke prevention trials including the NIH-supported study of carotid angioplasty and stenting as compared with carotid endarterectomy (CREST), RESPECT (PFO closure), PROfESS (antiplatelet drugs and angiotensin receptor blocker). In addition, principal investigator for NIH-supported studies related to poststroke recovery and steering committee for SPARCL (statin for secondary stroke prevention).
Special Expertise: Effects of drugs on recovery after stroke and brain injury
Neuroplasticity and behavioral recovery after brain injury
Stroke trial design and outcomes measures
Carotid endarterectomy/ angioplasty-stenting
Stroke prevention (primary and secondary)
Stroke-related health policy and outcomes
Key Words: Neurorehabilitation, stroke, cerebrovascular disease, neurobehavior, carotid endarterectomy, angioplasty, health services, prevention, outcomes
Specific Approaches: Laboratory Research: Studies of recovery after sensorimotor cortex injury have focused on measurement of neurobehavioral recovery as influenced by systemically administered drugs modulating the activities of specific central neurotransmitters. This work has involved behavioral measures, stereotactic lesioning, basic neurochemistry, cerebral microdialysis, and immunocytochemistry. Health Policy Research: Work has focused on clinical health policy related to cerebrovascular disease carried out in conjunction with the Center for Clinical Health Policy Research. These studies have centered on the utilization of carotid endarterectomy and the optimization of secondary and tertiary stroke prevention with an emphasis on outcome measures.
Clinical Trials: Principal investigator at Duke for several stroke acute treatment trials including studies of GM1-ganglioside and several neuroprotective drugs including CGS-19755 (Selfotel), Eliprodil, and a glycine receptor antagonist. Principal or co-investigator at Duke for several stroke prevention trials including the NIH-supported study of carotid angioplasty and stenting as compared with carotid endarterectomy (CREST), RESPECT (PFO closure), PROfESS (antiplatelet drugs and angiotensin receptor blocker). In addition, principal investigator for NIH-supported studies related to poststroke recovery and steering committee for SPARCL (statin for secondary stroke prevention).
Special Expertise: Effects of drugs on recovery after stroke and brain injury
Neuroplasticity and behavioral recovery after brain injury
Stroke trial design and outcomes measures
Carotid endarterectomy/ angioplasty-stenting
Stroke prevention (primary and secondary)
Stroke-related health policy and outcomes
Key Words: Neurorehabilitation, stroke, cerebrovascular disease, neurobehavior, carotid endarterectomy, angioplasty, health services, prevention, outcomes
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Adjunct Professor of Neurology
·
2015 - Present
Neurology, Stroke and Vascular Neurology,
Neurology
In the News
View All News
Recent Publications
MRI Predictors of Cognitive Function After Lacunar Infarction.
Journal Article Stroke · May 14, 2025 BACKGROUND: Poststroke cognitive impairment is associated with disability and decreased quality of life. We assessed whether individual or collective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers can aid in predicting cognitive impairment after lacunar infar ... Full text Link to item CiteComparison of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Hospital-Based Stroke Mortality Data in Kentucky: The Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program.
Journal Article J Am Heart Assoc · April 2025 Full text Link to item CiteFunds Flow in Academic Neurology Departments.
Journal Article Semin Neurol · March 17, 2025 The term "funds flow" refers to the financial relationships between the schools or colleges of medicine and its parent university, the hospital/health system, and clinical departments. Funds flow arrangements vary greatly among organizations based on the r ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Training for the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke in China
Inst. Training Prgm or CMECo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2010 - 2017Founders Affiliate Grant in Aid
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Yale University · 2013 - 2015Locomotor Experience Applied Post-Stroke (LEAPS)
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2005 - 2012View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai ·
1981
M.D.