In this episode of A Moment with Dalton, we talk with Helen M. Bramlett, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery and The Miami Project. Dr. Bramlett and her lab are investigating the pathophysiology of traumatic injury leading to the use of therapeutic strategies targeting specific mechanisms of damage. She discusses with Dr. Dietrich how her lab is working on SCI, TBI, concussion and stroke, and how these areas of research are interrelated. Additionally, she talks about her work with temperature management following injury, and many other research related topics. Watch the entire interview with Dr. Bramlett below.
The main focus of Dr. Bramlett’s laboratory is investigating the pathophysiology of traumatic injury leading to the use of therapeutic strategies targeting specific mechanisms of damage. Her laboratory focuses on three areas of traumatic research: 1) neuroprotective strategies for traumatic injury, 2) progressive damage after trauma and 3) secondary injury mechanisms of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Dr. Bramlett’s laboratory has been investigating the therapeutic potential of hypothermia for many years. Current studies are involved in clarifying the importance of targeted temperature management and inflammatory markers of secondary brain injury. Models of focal as well as diffuse brain injury are being used to investigate strategies for improving outcomes and reducing vulnerability patterns to secondary insults. Dr. Bramlett’s lab has previously shown that therapeutic hypothermia reduces blood brain barrier breakdown as well as diffuse axonal injury. Most recently, they have determined that hypothermia also modulates the innate immune response through reducing inflammasome activation and subsequent caspase-1 production. We are currently combining therapeutic hypothermia with a novel proneurogenic compound to promote hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. Our long-term goal is to develop these therapies and translate them into TBI patients.