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Child Neurology
Research
Research is an integral part of the Section of Child Neurology and is essential to its mission to advance the care of children and adolescents with neurological disorders now and in the future. Current projects include both clinical and translational neuroscience investigations focused on improving the understanding and treatment of a variety of neurological disorders.
TCH in affiliation with UCDSOM is pioneering research into some of the newest treatments, latest preventions, and most promising cures of childhood diseases. The Anschutz Medical Campus provides opportunities for early-stage and start-up research-oriented biotechnology and will facilitate the use of emerging science to pioneer discoveries benefiting global healthcare. The Section is proud to be a part of this exciting research environment and to perform cutting-edge research to improve treatment opportunities for patients with neurologic disorders. Investigators in the Translational Epilepsy Research Program study how seizures develop and how best to treat them.
Faculty Research Interests
Dr. Timothy Benke's lab studies the function of synapses, the primary means of communication between neurons in the brain. Results are likely to help prevent the effects of early-life seizures, which can include learning impairment and epilepsy, and will also advance the understanding of the synaptic mechanisms underlying mental retardation.
Dr. Amy Brooks-Kayal oversees several NIH-funded research studies related to epilepsy. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that result in development of epilepsy in order to develop new ways to prevent and treat this disorder. Her lab also studies the effects of early-life seizure activity and seizure treatment on brain development.
Dr. Yogendra Raol’s research focuses on developing new treatments for neonatal seizures and identifying EEG “biomarkers” that will help predict which at risk children will develop epilepsy.
Dr. Andrew White's research is in the area of epileptogenesis and neuroprotection. He is specifically interested in the area of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury and is experienced with multiple in vivo monitoring systems including radiotelemetry and tethered animal video-EEG systems.
Dr. Audrey Yee's research is directed at understanding the basic mechanisms of anticonvulsants and antiepileptogenic compounds and the cellular mechanisms of epilepsy.
The Section of Child Neurology participates in and benefits from the latest in clinical trials and other patient studies. The Section of Child Neurology faculty are currently involved in the following clinical research:
EPILEPSY
Dr. Paul Levisohn is a principal investigator for clinical epilepsy research supported by internal and extramural funding. He is currently conducting clinical trials investigating childhood absence epilepsy, new antiepileptic drugs for use in children, and health-related quality of life for children with epilepsy and their families. Dr. Pramote Laoprasert is pursuing clinical research related to neuroimaging in patients with epilepsy, including neuroimaging studies and invasive EEG monitoring as pre-surgical workups prior to pediatric epilepsy surgery and as predictors of surgical outcome. Dr. Susan Koh has interests in epilepsy surgery, tuberous sclerosis, and ketogenic diet. Dr. Daniel Arndt has research interests in post-traumatic epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, and traumatic brain injury.
STROKE
Dr. Jennifer Armstrong-Wells is investigating perinatal stroke, childhood hemorrhagic and arterial ischemic stroke. Dr. Timothy Bernard is researching inflammation, classification, treatments, and outcomes in childhood arterial ischemic stroke. He has recently been awarded the NIH, Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute K12 grant, entitled, “Markers of Inflammatory Coagulopathy and Coagulation Activation as Predictors of Arteriopathy, Recurrence and Outcome in Childhood Arterial Ischemic Stroke.”
HEADACHE
Dr. Tonia Sabo-Graham has a particular interest in "nutritional neurology," specifically, investigating the context of migraine disorders and interrelationships with certain micronutrients. She has extensive experience in participating in clinical trials. She is currently conducting a protocol sponsored by the TCH Clinical Translational Research Center and TCH Research Institute investigating relationships of magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10 in children with migraine. Mary Ann Maddox, PNP, also has research interests in the treatment of headaches.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
Dr. Abigail Collins’ research focuses on a variety of pediatric movement disorders. Scott Turner, FNP-C, investigates tics and Tourette syndrome.
GENERAL NEUROLOGY
Dr. Carolyn Green is investigating the comanagement of medical homes for children with chronic conditions and improved communication among specialty and primary care providers. Dr. Paul Moe has explored and published on clinical child neurology, including spike wave stupor, infantile polymoclonia-opsoclonus syndrome, and encephalitis. During his many years at TCH, Dr. Moe has written numerous articles and book chapters on pediatric neurology.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
The neuropsychologists within the Section are involved in research regarding the effects of bone marrow transplantatio n on cognitive development, quality of life, and cognitive changes associated with brain tumors and their treatment, as well as cognitive functioning subsequent to surgical resection for intractable epilepsy. Dr. Greta Wilkening is interested in the cognitive and perceptual consequences of neurologic diseases, or the treatments for such diseases. Specific foci include the long-term consequences of stroke, epilepsy, seizure surgery, and treatment for neoplastic disease. Dr. Richard Boada is involved in an NIH-funded longitudinal study of speech and reading disorders. The research is designed to identify shared genetic, cognitive, and environmental factors that explain the comorbidity between phonological disorder and dyslexia. Dr. Jennifer Janusz has research interests in the neurocognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning of children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1.
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