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
Brian Balin, PhD
Arturo Bravo Nuevo, PhD
Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP
Katherine Galluzzi, DO, CMD, FACOFP dist.
Elizabeth Gosch, PhD, ABPP
Yue-Qiao Huang, BSc, PhD
Jessica Kendorski, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D
Michelle Lent, PhD
Jocelyn Lippman-Bell, PhD
Christopher Scott Little, PhD
Huo Lu, PhD
Heather Montie, PhD
Susan Panichelli Mindel, PhD
Stephen Poteau, PhD
Lori Redmond, PhD
Brad Rosenfield, PsyD
Virginia Salzer, PhD
Kate Tresco, PhD
Mei Xu, MD, PhD
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new study by Dr. Balin and PCOM researchers shows Chlamydia pneumoniae and COVID-19 infections may play a role in the formation of Alzheimer's disease.
Research at PCOM
PCOM aims to develop innovative approaches to promoting health through basic, translational, clinical, behavioral, education and community research projects.
- Explore PCOM's numerous research focus areas.
- Learn about graduate and medical student student research opportunities.
- Read PCOM's peer-reviewed academic publication The Journal of Integrated Primary Care.
- View the College's research plan.