Research Opportunities
Research Coordinator: Ms. Joann Chien
A new neuroscience research facility has been constructed immediately adjacent to the clinical wing of the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute at JFK Medical Center. The proximity of the new labs to existing space fosters collaborative translational research that benefits both researchers and clinicians. The new laboratory spaces are designed for behavioral assessment and phenotyping of animal models of human neurologic disease, neuroanatomical/histological studies of the nervous system, cellular neurophysiology and neuropharmacology, neurogenetics, human physiology and neuropsychological testing.
**This program is not able to accept additional volunteers at this time. We expect to have openings in the Summer 2011.**
For information regarding volunteer activities in the laboratories,please contact Ms.
Chien by telephone (732-321-7940) or email.
Human Systems Laboratory for Neural Dynamics
Laboratory Director: Dr. Michael Rosenberg
The Human Systems Laboratory for Neural Dynamics seeks to better define CNS
physiology by exploring linkages among different neural systems. Our guiding
hypothesis is that human physiological systems are linked by central mechanisms that
drive both voluntary (somatic) and involuntary (autonomic nervous system, or ANS)
activity. We simultaneously and continuously measure somatic motor and sudomotor
activities, pupil size, cardiac and respiratory activity, and cerebral blood flow. By
employing novel nonlinear signal processing techniques, we are beginning to define
correlations between the somatic and autonomic systems, activities that have
traditionally been considered independent. Our goal is to advance neurologic diagnostic
capabilities by evaluating not only how each system performs in isolation, but also how
interactions among the systems are affected by neurologic disease states. Specifically,
we are interested in evaluating alterations in central nervous system control over a
broad spectrum of neurological conditions, including degenerative processes such as
Parkinson’s disease, congenital disorders including autism and attention deficit disorder,
as well as acquired abnormalities such as traumatic brain injury, hydrocephalus and
various sleep disorders. We are confident that this novel, comprehensive approach to
neurologic evaluation will result in more highly focused and effective treatments.
Additional areas of interest include using ANS and pupillary measurements to obtain
objective assessments of consciousness at the bedside in minimally conscious patients,
and the application of new nonlinear mathematical tools to other physiological and
pathophysiological systems.
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