Opportunities for residents to engage in research projects are available in several active areas of investigation.

The principal research goal of the division is elucidation of the neuroanatomical structures that underlie cognition and behavior. Current projects focus on the study of vision, memory, language, emotion, and decision making. Neuroimaging techniques (CT, MRI, and positron emission tomography) and experimental anatomy techniques (tracing of neuronal connections in nonhuman primates) are used in an effort to understand these problems.

Division of Clinical Electrophysiology
The Division of Clinical Electrophysiology encompasses the Electroencephalography/ Evoked Potential (EEG) Laboratory, the Electromyography (EMG) Laboratory, and Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and Sleep Disorders Center. This division manages several specialized services: EEG, evoked potentials, EMG studies, polysomnography, and epilepsy monitoring. Activities of the neuromuscular division are centered in the Electromyography Laboratory, where research is focused on development and application of clinical electrophysiologic techniques for the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders. In the newly equipped EEG Laboratory, digital EEG with computerized analysis, and somatosensory, auditory, and visual evoked potentials are performed. Also various neurophysiological monitoring studies in the operating rooms are conducted through network transmission. Several research projects involving somatosensory evoked potentials are in progress.

The two segments of the Neurophysiology Monitoring Unit are the Sleep Disorders Center and the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. In the Sleep Disorders Center (fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine), multiple physiologic parameters are monitored to aid in diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, periodic limb movements in sleep, and parasomnias. Present research involves the relationship of hypertension, stroke, and epilepsy to sleep and the development of investigational agents for the treatment of restless legs syndrome. EEG correlates of seizure activity are studied in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit using a newly expanded digital EEG computer system. The unit participates in trials of new anti-epileptic drugs and also works with the Division of Neurosurgery in the study of cortical function as well as, assisting with monitoring and patient selection for the epilepsy surgery program.

The Sleep Disorders Center and Epilepsy Monitoring Unit are equipped with a fully integrated, state-of-the-art recording system. Two professional engineers are responsible for design and programming of computer equipment and assisting with experimental studies. The division regularly appoints sponsored research fellows and ACGME accredited Clinical Neurophysiology and AASM Sleep fellowships as well.

Research opportunities for residents are available in each specialty service within the Division, and residents are encouraged to participate in research projects.

Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases
Physicians in the Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases participate in the department’s activities in patient care, teaching, and research. The division currently includes two faculty physicians, and one nursing specialist who assists the physicians in several ongoing clinical research programs. Both local and multi-institutional research programs in stroke are underway. The faculty is taking national leadership roles in several of these privately or federally funded research initiatives.

The division has a strong commitment to post-graduate medical education. One of the important teaching activities is daily stroke rounds, which involves an in-depth discussion of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with acute neurological illnesses, most commonly stroke. In addition, regularly scheduled didactic lectures related to stroke are given. Some of these lectures involve visits from experts from outside the Department or the University of Iowa.

The faculty are supportive of resident participation in ongoing research projects and have encouraged residents to develop their own independent scholarly activities related to stroke.

Division of Neurochemistry Neurobiology
This division has laboratory facilities that are equipped for neurochemistry, protein chemistry, cell culture and molecular biology. Our research focuses on the study of a unique brain protein called glia maturation factor. On-going work includes using mice lacking this protein (knockout) and those over-expressing this protein (transgene) to elucidate its role in Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Opportunities are provided in the division for residents, medical students, and graduate students to conduct independent research. Weekly conferences are held to discuss ongoing work and recent advances in molecular neuroscience.

Laboratory of Neurobiology and Circulatory Control
The Department’s Laboratory of Neurobiology and Circulatory Control examines the role played by the central nervous system in the control of autonomic functions, with particular focus on the putative neurotransmitters involved in the mediation and modulation of cardiovascular reflexes. The laboratory has identified the physiological role of neurotransmitters in selected nuclei of the brain stem and now seeks to determine how the chemistry of specific regions of the CNS relates to the function of those areas. New observations have been made regarding the integration of cardiovascular and other visceral functions through medullary nuclei. New insights into the integrative role played by transmitter mechanisms in brain stem modulation of electrocortical activity and behavior have also been provided. Current studies address the role of amino acids and of nitrosothiols, an important class of nitric acid donors, in central neurotransmission. The laboratory is engaged in other studies that investigate the central control of cerebral blood flow in normal and pathological states.

Residents seeking scientific training are encouraged to pursue a fellowship in the laboratory. Funding is secured through several major federal grants.

Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics
This laboratory investigates the molecular basis of neurodegenerative disorders. Special emphasis in this laboratory is the molecular mechanisms pertinent to development of inherited dystonias.

The Division of Behavioral Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience is a leading center for fundamental neuroscience research. Drs. Antonio Damasio (right), Hanna Damasio, and Daniel Tranel review MR data from recent experiments.

New polysomnographic recording equipment provides precise information about electrophysiological events. Dr. Mark Eric Dyken, director of the Sleep Disorders Center, confers with a sleep technician.

Daily stroke rounds permit instructive dialogue between residents and staff physicians. Dr. Harold Adams, division director, and Dr. Patricia Davis visit a patient whose care is jointly managed with resident Dr. Jaffar Khan.

Assays aimed at isolating and characterizing growth factors are part of on-going research in the Division of Neurochemistry. Dr. Ramon Lim directs the division’s activities, assisted by research scientist Dr. Asgar Zaheer.

Studies in the Laboratory of Neurobiology focus on the role of neurotransmitters such as S-nitrosocysteine and their action on central neurons. A computer-generated model of S-nitrosocysteine is shown above.