Department of Anatomy, University of Otago

Research in Dr Clarkson’s lab focuses on post-stroke neuroprotection and regeneration and repair mechanisms. My research is directed at promoting recovery of function following a stroke. The approaches used involve novel combinations of intensive rehabilitation, drug therapy and more recently stem cells to enhance brain repair processes. This utilises behavioural, electrophysiological, optical imaging and anatomical measures to assess recovery after stroke.

Research Interests
The ability for the adult brain to regenerate or recover from acute injury is limited. Even though acute stroke deaths have declined over recent years, the incidence is still increasing as the population ages, resulting in a larger population of disabled stroke patients. Because of this, stroke is the leading causes of long-term disability. The mechanisms of recovery after stroke have not been well defined. Recent studies show a limited capacity of neural repair after stroke, which includes re-mapping of cognitive functions and sprouting of new connections in tissue adjacent to the stroke, peri-infarct cortex. Further, neurorehabilitation has been shown to promote partial recovery via activity-based re-programming, by using repetitive and patterned use of affected limbs that are linked to the affected brain regions. An understanding of neural repair mechanisms within peri-infarct cortex may lead to therapies that promote recovery. Neurorehabiliation uses similar cognitive rules as learning and memory, leading us to postulate that cellular mechanisms of learning and memory are involved in the underlying processes of recovery following focal brain injury.

Our recent studies indicate that, just like learning and memory processes, cortical excitability can influence neural repair after stroke. The overall goal of my research program is to identify mechanisms of neural repair after stroke, by modulating cortical excitability. Excitability of cortical pyramidal neurons is set by a limited number of neurotransmitter systems. These include specific, extrasynaptic GABA receptors, and baseline channel characteristics of AMPA or NMDA receptors. Experiments will use pharmacogenetic gain and loss of function studies within these systems to determine their role in axonal sprouting and behavioural recovery, using novel functional and cortical motor mapping techniques. The systematic assessment of the molecular mechanisms associated with learning and memory and how they may support or regulate neural repair and plasticity following focal brain injury may produce novel pharmacological tools to help improve neurorehabilitation and recovery. These approaches will identify pharmacological systems that may stimulate recovery, and specific drugs that can lead to translational stroke therapies.

Publications
Click here for a list of recent publications

Departmental Seminar

Tuesday 28 May 2013
Time: 1-2pm
Venue: D’Ath Lecture Theatre, First Floor, Hercus Building

Dr Justin Keogh Bond University Gold Coast, Queensland
" Weight loss in older adults benefits of exercise"

Dr Keogh's research focuses on understanding the acute stresses, and the chronic adaptations resulting from a range of physical activities. His research focuses on athletic populations and older adults, where both general and specific therapeutic physical activity may have differing effects and various motives and barriers to continual participation.

Upcoming Seminars

Study Anatomy
Study the Science of Anatomy Click here to view our movie.

Anatomy Museum
Click here to view a short video about the W.D. Trotter Anatomy Museum which aired on TVNZ Heartland.

Postgraduate Study
Available projects and scholarships .

PGDipSurgAnat
Postgraduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy Applications for 2013 open on 1 October 2012. Click here for further information.

Classic Citations
A citation classic recognises outstanding papers that have been published by staff and students of the Department of Anatomy. View our Classic Citations.