Disorders and Diseases of the Nervous System | Research at PCOM
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Nervous system research at PCOM


Disorders and Diseases of the Nervous System 
Research at PCOM

The nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves throughout the body, regulates cognition, behavior, emotion, perception, movement and organ function.

Disorders and diseases of the nervous system have a profound impact on the quality of life of affected individuals and their families. The causes of these conditions range from gene mutations to environmental factors, such as infection, trauma, diet and drugs.

What is Nervous System Disease Research?

Researchers study the underlying causes of diseases of the nervous system, indicators of their onset and factors that accelerate or slow functional decline. The goals of this research are to increase our understanding of the mechanisms leading to neuronal dysfunction and develop more sensitive and effective methods for early diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, research assists healthcare providers with making evidence-based decisions for interdisciplinary patient care and guides the development of strategies and policies to protect populations globally.

Nervous System Research at PCOM

PCOM researchers study a variety of neurological and neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, multiple sclerosis, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), concussion, brain cancer, visual dysfunction, substance use disorder, metal toxicity, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The purpose of their research is to identify factors that affect the development, function, viability, pathogenesis and regeneration of nervous tissue, and their impact on perception, behavior and quality of life. Our researchers also examine the outcomes of various forms of treatment from pharmacological approaches to cognitive behavioral therapy.

Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging (CCDA) at PCOM

PCOM's Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging (CCDA) is a collaborative research initiative focusing on neurodegenerative diseases and conditions related to aging. The CCDA researchers aim to develop more effective treatments and prevention strategies.

Our Faculty Researchers

PCOM's Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging (CCDA) hosted a free virtual Alzheimer’s disease symposium aimed to bring together experts in various fields of neurodegenerative disease research.

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Virtual Symposium Explores Causes of Alzheimer's Disease portrait

PCOM medical student Jade McLain, DO '22, explored if neurodegenerative diseases share pathology beginning with tau hyperphosphorylation and subsequent accumulation in neural tissues. Her work focused on determining if a correlation exists between glucose manipulation, DHEA administration and tau hyperphosphorylation by utilizing rat hippocampal astrocytes as an experimental model.

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Jade McLain, DO '22, Studies Neurodegenerative Disease Origins portrait

Brian Balin, PhD, and co-author Alan Hudson, PhD, call for more funding in the rapidly growing area of nervous system research to determine if antimicrobial agents could be an effective strategy for treating a Alzheimer's – a disease that has had very little success with therapeutics.

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Balin Publishes in Lancet Neurology Journal portrait

Dr. Brian Balin joined the “Better Living with Lin Tatum” radio show in Atlanta to explain that physical exercise is the number one preventive factor in reducing mental changes and cognitive impairment, followed closely by nutrition.

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Balin Explains Exercise, Nutrition Key to Longer, Healthier Lives portrait

First-year med student Maya Rakoczy's (DO '28) research addresses a need for diversity in clinical neurology research to better represent different racial and ethnic groups.

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Med Student's Research Addresses Neurology Clinical Trial Disparities portrait

Research at PCOM

PCOM aims to develop innovative approaches to promoting health through basic, translational, clinical, behavioral, education and community research projects.

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