Scientific Report 2003-2004 - Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research ...

The Department of NeurosciencesContinued from Page 134disease progression in MS patients and inmechanisms of interferon action in MS therapeutics.The MS group is supported by an NIHProgram Project Grant.Neuronal Development and FunctionThe neuronal development and functionprogram includes Drs. Mark Perin, HitoshiKomuro, Masaru Nakamoto and Keiko Hirose.Dr. Perin’s research focuses on molecularmechanisms of neurotransmitter release andrecycling. Dr. Komuro investigates cellularmechanisms of neuronal cell migration in thedeveloping cerebellum. Dr. Nakamoto exploresthe role of ephrins and EPH receptors duringaxonal targeting in the developing cerebellum.Dr. Hirose studies auditory physiology andcellular mechanisms associated with hearing lossand deafness.Neurodegenerative DiseaseThe neurodegenerative disease programincludes Drs. Erwin Montgomery, Erik Pioro andThyagarajan Subramanian. Dr. Pioro is aphysician investigator who has joint appointmentsin the Departments of Neurology andNeurosciences. He investigates mechanisms ofneuronal degeneration in amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS)(Lou Gehrig’s disease) and thepathogenesis of neurodegeneration in an animalmodel of ALS. Dr. Erwin Montgomery directsthe Parkinson’s Research Program at CCF. Hisbasic science research utilizes primate models tounderstand the complexity of neurosystems thatregulate motor function. His clinical researchfocuses on early diagnosis and surgical treatmentof Parkinson’s disease by deep brain stimulation.Dr. Subramanian is investigating the role ofsubstantia nigra reticulata (SNr) in the pathophysiologyof parkinsonism and the efficacy ofgene therapy to prevent the progression ofParkinson’s disease (PD). The MovementDisorders Program is testing novel medicationsand drug delivery systems that are designed tofacilitate neuroprotection and neuroregenerationin patients with PD, dystonia and spasticity.The strategic plan for the Department ofNeurosciences is to recruit additional staff whoseresearch focuses on neuronal development,neuronal function and the pathogenesis ofneurodegenerative diseases. The department is oneof the few neuroscience departments in theUnited States that has as its major mission thegoal of investigating and understanding thepathogenesis of human CNS diseases. Theinteractions between faculty in the Departmentsof Neurosciences, Neurology, NeurologicalSurgery and Radiology provide a unique environmentfor reaching this goal.Dept. website: http://www.lerner.ccf.org/neurosci/Specialized areas of muscle surface surround nerve terminalsand convert nerve firing into muscle contractions. From studies byXinghua Yin, M.D., and Bruce Trapp, Ph.D..135