Brain Injury and Neuroprotection

Overview

Our lab is interested in understanding the molecular pathophysiology of brain injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke and in neuroprotection (preventing or limiting the spread of injury).  Currently there are no effective neuroprotective drugs that target the injury development that occurs following TBI or stroke. We have been investigating the neuroprotective efficacy of anaesthetics and inert gases such as xenon and argon. The identification of  the molecular targets of certain anaesthetics such as xenon has led to the idea of using them as treatments to prevent brain damage in conditions such as traumatic brain injury and hypoxic/ischemic injury such a neonatal asphyxia and post-cardiac arrest brain damage.  In my lab we use a variety of approaches to study the molecular actions of anaesthetics and neuroprotectants; these include patch-clamp electrophysiology, site-directed mutagenesis and models of brain injury. 

Find out more information on our work.