Research

1. Development of Poly (pro-curcumin) Polymer Coatings to Improve Cortical Electrode Biocompatibility

• This project will develop poly(pro-curcumin) intracortical electrode coatings to increase neuroprotection and improve the long-term recording capability of implanted electrodes.

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      2.  mRNA-containing fibrous conduits for repair of long-gap peripheral nerve injury           

• This project will develop biomaterial conduits releasing mRNA for neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), a protein known to promote robust regeneration to enhance neural injury in the Veteran population.

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3. Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies; 

• This project examines the effects of brain stimulation on the spinal cord and how the brain modifies the spinal cord throughout life. The goal is  to develop methods to induce beneficial plasticity that enhances recovery after nervous system trauma or disease

1. Phase 3 study of DU-176 b versus warfarin in subjects with atrial fibrillation.

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   Comparison of Docetaxel + Dasatinib vs Docetaxel +placebo in castrate resistant prostate cancer.

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   Effect of sevelamer carbonate on the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

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   Laryngeal function following organ preservation therapy for advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

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   Comparison of standard vs. high dose radiotherapy concurrent with specific chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

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   Bridging anticoagulation in patients who require temporary interruption of warfarin therapy for elective surgery.

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   A safety study using cetuximab from two manufacturing processes for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

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   Study of the efficacy and safety of conversion to lacosamide monotherapy in subjects with partial onset seizures.

1. Neoplastic yield of colonoscopy in the VA.

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   A clinical demonstration of an EEG brain computer interface for ALS patients.

1. Infectious Disease:
   1. Anticandidal effects of micafungin and voriconozole against Candida glabrata in human monocytes.
   2. Modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine /chemokine production in uninfected and Candida glabrata infected human monocytes.

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   Neurology
   1. Friedreich’s Ataxia: Iron dysmetabolism in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
   2. The pathogenesis of hereditary ataxia.
   3. Iron in the pathogenesis of Friedreich’s ataxia.
   4. The cardiomyopathy of Friedreich’s ataxia.

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   Renal Studies:
   1. Hepatitis B Immunoresponsiveness and vitamin D deficiency in patients with end stage renal cancer.

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   Cancer:
   1. Can coagulation changes in cancer patients predict thromboembolic disease?