Research Profile - College of Medicine and Health Science - United ...

Department of Physiology
Electrophysiology and clinical
neurophysiology laboratories
The research activities of the electrophysiology
laboratory focuses on skeletal muscle function
and muscle pain. The main techniques employed
are classical electrophysiological techniques
(EMG, ENG, muscle force and velocity, single
fiber and single unit-extracellular/intracellular
recordings). We have also recently introduced
at FMHS the set of small animal behavioral
techniques including Morris Water Maze, T and
Y maze, coordination and balance motor testing
etc. We are also planning to introduce multiunit
recording by implementing multisite cell
recordings in order to investigate in more details
the plasticity changes of spinal cord pain
processing neural networks. We are particularly
interested to elucidate differences between
cervical and spinal neural networks as they may
exhibit differential processing in chronic muscle
pain conditions which are clinically quite
different in these two regions.
The newly formed clinical neurophysiology
laboratory uses Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation (TMS) and other classical clinical
neurophysiology methods (H and F wave,
Evoked potentials) to investigate mechanisms
of human nervous system plasticity and the
possibilities to remodel these processes in
healthy subjects and several diseases primarily
focusing on movement disorders. Dr.
Ljubisavljevic’s special interests over the years
were cortical processes related to volition in
exercise and fatigue. The work focuses on
mechanisms associated with sensorimotor
integration and maladaptive plasticity in central
fatigue. In collaboration with colleagues from
the Institute for Neurology, University Clinical
Center Belgrade, we are investigating the
character of pathophysiological maladaptive
cortical processes in Parkinson’s dystonia and
tremor. Finally, in collaboration with neurology
division and ENT department of Tawam Johns
Hopkins Hospital we are currently developing
a set of clinical experimental and therapeutic
TMS protocols for Multiple Sclerosis, stroke and
chronic idiopathic tinnitus patients.
Mapping laboratory
As in previous years, work has steadily
progressed in the mapping laboratory. A major
achievement this year has been that we finalized
and published a study on the patterns of
electrical propagations in the whole intact and
isolated small intestine, describing and
explaining the well-known contraction
frequency gradient in this organ. Another
milestone was the publication of the mechanism
of rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) in the
stomach. The recordings had been performed
in the research laboratories of Johnson &
Johnson in Beerse, Belgium and the analysis
performed in Al Ain.
More collaborations were initiated or expanded
and visits were made to several laboratories
including the Arbeitsgruppe Enterisches
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