A5027559430- Spinal Cord Injury Research
- Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
- Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Cardiac Health and Mental Health
- Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Muscle Physiology and Disorders
- Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
- Pregnancy-related medical research
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Plant responses to water stress
- Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
- Apelin-related biomedical research
- Curcumin's Biomedical Applications
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Boron Compounds in Chemistry
- Spinal Dysraphism and Malformations
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Sirtuins and Resveratrol in Medicine
University of Miami
2012-2024
Neurological Surgery
2014-2024
University of Miami Health System
2023
Jackson Memorial Hospital
2023
Miami VA Healthcare System
2012
Hyperactivation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NRs) is associated with neuronal cell death induced by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and many neurodegenerative conditions. NR signaling efficiency dependent on receptor localization in membrane raft microdomains. Recently, excitotoxicity has been linked to autophagy, but mechanisms governing signal transduction remain unclear. Here we have identified protein interactions between NR2B intermediates the autophagic Beclin-1 rafts normal rat...
Individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) face elevated risks of cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, due to factors like physical inactivity, neurogenic obesity, disrupted glucose insulin regulation. We conducted a prospective intervention cohort study involving 20 individuals SCI (aged 28-60) neurologic injuries at levels C4-T10 ASIA scale grades A-D, lasting over year. Our assessed the impact therapeutic lifestyle (TLI) based on Diabetes...
CVD (cardiovascular disease) represents a leading cause of mortality in chronic SCI (spinal cord injury). Several component risk factors are observed SCI; however, the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these risks have not been defined. Central and peripheral inflammation is associated with metabolic dysfunction CVD, including adipokine regulation neuroendocrine cardiac function inflammatory processes initiated by innate immune response. We use female C57 Bl/6 mice examine...
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) results in severe sub-lesional muscle atrophy and fiber type transformation from slow oxidative to fast glycolytic, both contributing functional deficits maladaptive metabolic profiles. Therapeutic countermeasures have had limited success muscle-related pathology remains a clinical priority. mTOR signaling is known play critical role skeletal growth metabolism, signal integration of anabolic catabolic pathways. Recent studies show that the natural compound ursolic...
The activity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is pivotal in homeostasis and presides adaptative response to stress. Dopamine Transporter (DAT) plays a key role regulation HPA axis. We used young adult female DAT Knockout (KO) rats assess effects ablation (partial, heterozygous DAT+/-, or total, homozygous DAT-/-) on vulnerability DAT-/- show profound dysregulation pituitary homeostasis, presence elevated peripheral corticosterone, before after acute restraint During stress,...
Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in an accelerated trajectory of several cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and related aging characteristics, however the molecular mechanisms that are activated have not been explored. Adipokines leptin signaling known to play a critical role neuro-endocrine regulation energy metabolism, now implicated central inflammatory processes associated with CVD. Here, we examine hypothalamic adipokine gene expression response chronic advanced age. We...
Cardiometabolic disease is a leading complication of spinal cord injury (SCI) that contributes to premature all-cause cardiovascular morbidity and early death. Despite widespread reports cardioendocrine disorders are more prevalent in individuals with SCI than those without disability, well-defined pathophysiology has not been established. Autonomic dysfunction accompanying disruption autonomic tracts may contribute dysregulation energy metabolism via uncoupling integrated hunger satiation...
Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly accelerates morbidity and mortality, partly due to the increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD), including neurogenic obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism. While exercise dietary interventions have shown some transient benefits in reducing CMD risk, they often fail improve clinically relevant disease markers cardiovascular events. Moreover, SCI also places caregiving demands on their caregivers, who themselves experience...
Objective To test in mice with a double mutation of the ApoE gene ( -/- ) whether spinal cord injury (SCI) hastens native trajectory of, and established component risks for, atherosclerotic disease (AD), Salsalate anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapy attenuates impact SCI. Methods were anesthetized underwent T9 laminectomy. Exposed cords given contusion (70 k-dynes). Sham animals all surgical procedures, excluding injury. Injured randomized to 2 groups: SCI or +Salsalate [120 mg/Kg/day i.p.]....
Clinically relevant myopenia accompanies spinal cord injury (SCI), and compromises function, metabolism, body composition, health. Myostatin, a transforming growth factor (TGF)β family member, is key negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. We investigated inhibition myostatin signaling using systemic delivery highly selective monoclonal antibody - muSRK-015P (40 mg/kg) that blocks release active from the latent form myostatin. Adult female mice (C57BL/6) were subjected to severe SCI (65...
(1) Background: Climate change is increasing the already frequent diverse extreme weather events (EWE) across geographic locations, directly and indirectly impacting human health. However, current ongoing research fails to address magnitude of these indirect impacts, including healthcare access. Vulnerable populations such as persons with spinal cord injury (pSCI) face added physiologic burden thermoregulation or mobility challenges like closure public transportation. Our exploratory...
Abstract Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide across domains health and cognition, affecting overall quality life. Approximately one third individuals with depression do not fully respond to treatments (e.g., conventional antidepressants, psychotherapy) alternative strategies are needed. Recent early phase trials suggest psilocybin may be safe efficacious intervention rapid-acting antidepressant properties. Psilocybin thought exert therapeutic...
Research shows that as a woman changes from pre to postmenopausal (PRE and POST) status, there is an increase in central obesity associated risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). It is, however, unclear whether these are more related increasing age or menopausal status. would be relevant examine this issue population of overweight women who themselves at greater CAD. PURPOSE To determine status significantly impacts CAD group women. METHODS 94 PRE (57 Caucasian (CC), 30...
Abstract Background : Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide across domains health and cognition, affecting overall quality life. Approximately one third individuals with depression do not fully respond to treatments (e.g., conventional antidepressants, psychotherapy) alternative strategies are needed. Recent early phase trials suggest psilocybin may be safe efficacious intervention rapid-acting antidepressant properties. Psilocybin thought exert...
Exercise is recommended for the management of cardiometabolic disease risks in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, independent associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic control have not been established this population. PURPOSE:To examine (VO2peak) biomarkers fasting postprandial glucose chronic SCI. METHODS: Thirty-four males SCI performed a graded exercise test on an arm crank ergometer to assess VO2peak. On non-consecutive day, participants completed...