Washington University in St. Louis (WU)
My research program explores the cellular and physiological neuropathology associated with neonatal, infantile and adult hydrocephalus and focuses on neuroinflammation, non-invasive neuroimaging (MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and MR elastography), pharmacological strategies for neuroprotection and recovery of function, and clinical evaluations of patient outcome and new treatment applications. Our multidisciplinary approach also includes biomedical engineering improvements in the design of CSF drainage systems (shunts), development of implantable sensors, and the biocompatibility of neural prostheses. We employ several animal models of hydrocephalus: a porcine model to test the efficacy of a new neurosurgical procedure, combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexectomy; an infant ferret model to measure biomechanical changes during progressive hydrocephalus; a neonatal rat model of communicating hydrocephalus to explore all aspects of pathophysiology, and finally a congenital rat model of aqueductal stenosis to identify pathogenetic mechanisms and neurodevelopmental outcomes.