Research Publications - College of Medicine and Health Science

and functional properties of spinal pain-related
neural networks in various chronic pain conditions.
Finally, we are trying to identify the effects
of various repetitive Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation (rTMS) protocols on gene expression
in diseases like stroke and chronic pain.
The Experimental Clinical Neurophysiology
laboratory uses various Transcranial Magnetic
Stimulation (TMS) techniques, and other classical
Clinical neurophysiology methods (H and
F wave and visual evoked potentials) to investigate
mechanisms of human nervous system
plasticity and the possibilities to remodel these
processes in health and diseases. We primarily
focus on the organization and plasticity of cortical
inhibitory and excitatory pathways in the
normal human motor cortex, and in movement
disorders and chronic pain. Furthermore, we are
interested in application of TMS and transcranial
direct current stimulation (TDCs) in neurorehabilitation
and treatment of movement disorders
and chronic pain syndromes. Finally, Dr.
Ljubisavljevic’s special interests over the years
has been cortical processes related to volition
in exercise and fatigue. The work focuses
on mechanisms associated with sensorimotor
integration and maladaptive plasticity in central
fatigue. Our research activities are partly conducted
in collaboration with colleagues from
the Institute for Neurology, University Clinical
Center Belgrade, and with Neurology division of
Tawam Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Aging and neurodegenerative disorders
Studies on aging and neurodegenerative disorders
have focused on synaptic plasticity and
synaptic remodelling, particularly at the nerve-
muscle junction in various peripheral neuropathies
including those caused by diabetes, aging
and heavy metal poisoning. Electrophysiological,
laser confocal microscopy and electronmicroscopy
techniques are used in combination
to focus on changes in muscular performance
in these conditions. It is hypothesised that free
radicals are involved in these nerve injuries and
antioxidants like vitamin E & C may have a protective
role. Studies on the cerebral microcirculation
include changes in the susceptibilty to
thrombus formation in the brain, and the effects
of metals, aspirin and heat.
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The major research focus of Professor Chris
Howarth is diabetes mellitus and heart function.
A variety of in vivo and in vitro techniques are
employed to investigate the effects of type 1
and type 2 diabetes on the heart. Biotelemetry
is used to continuously measure the ECG and
other parameters in vivo. Video edge detection
techniques are used to measure shortening and
fluorescence photometry is used to measure intracellular
Ca2+ in individual cardiac myocytes.
Patch-clamp techniques are used to study membrane
currents. Work in the centre is supported
by technical staff, undergraduate medical and
science students and graduates in our Ph.D. and
Department of Physiology
The rat with stroke induced
by middle cerebral artery
temporary occlusion being
stimulated by TMS and the
schematic depiction of TMS
stimulation in a human
subject.
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