11 CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES UPDATE SUMMER 2018 activation of glutamate recycling pathways protects diabetic DRG and this is associated with activation of the SIRT1-PGC-1a-TFAM axis and preservation of mitochondrial OXPHOS function. • Philip Iffland II, PhD, Research Assistant Professor in Neurology, led a study entitled “DEPDC5 and NPRL3 modulate cell size, filopodial outgrowth, and localization of mTOR in neural progenitor cells and neurons’ published in Neurobiology of Disease. This study defined the effects of mutations in two genes DEPDC5 and NPRL3, modulators of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), on brain development. NIH Grant Support • A research team consisting of Neurocritical Care faculty Gunjan Parikh, MD and Melissa Motta, MD, Radiology faculty Rao Gullapalli, PhD, and Neurology faculty Steven Kittner, MD, MPH, are researching the genetic and imaging predictors of intracerebral hemorrhage as part of the multi-center ICH ROSE study. The ROSE study is a subcontract from Dan Woo, University of Cincinnati. Some Neuro ICU staff are collaborating but without support. • John Cole, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology, leads the Maryland site for a similar investigation of ischemic stroke, the STRONG study, that examines genetic and psychosocial predictors of outcome. The STRONG study is a subcontract from UC Irving from E Alison Holman PI and Steven Cramer. • Steven Kittner, MD, MPH, Professor of Neurology and Braxton Mitchell, Professor of Medicine, were recently awarded a NIH grant to establish an international consortium to study the genetics of early-onset ischemic stroke. • Daniel Harrison, MD, Division of Neuro-Immunology, and member of the V.A. Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence recently received a new R01 grant from the NIH using brain MRI to demonstrate leptomeningeal contrast enhancement in multiple sclerosis (MS) as a marker of meningeal inflammation. Dr. Harrison’s lab will use MRI to investigate the hypothesis that meningeal inflammation in MS may be more ubiquitous than previously thought, is not effectively targeted by current treatments, and is related to some of the more damaging and poorly addressed aspects of MS (cortical injury, cognitive deficits, fatigue, and progressive disability accumulation). n • Howard Eisenberg, Professor and Raymond K. Thompson, MD, Chair in Neurosurgery gave the J. Douglas Miller Lecture, “A Novel Drug for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury,” at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) held in April in New Orleans. Established as the Harvey Cushing Society in 1931, the AANS has approximately 11,000 members worldwide. • Marcella Wozniak, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Medical Director of the Neurology Care Center, was featured in the Baltimore Sun article, “More patients could survive—and even thrive after —major strokes under new guidelines,” published on June 1 (www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hs-stroke-guidelines- 20180523-story.html). Dr. Wozniak also was recently interviewed on stroke care for Maryland Public Television’s program, Direct Connection (www.youtube. com/watch?v=435MPD-nH-U&feature=youtu.be). • Compared to stroke at older ages, early-onset ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke is more frequently due to unusual genetic conditions. Comprehensive Stroke Center faculty have been collaborating closely with UM clinical genetics faculty, Elizabeth Streeten, MD and Carol Greene, MD, in the diagnosis and management of these rare conditions. Genetic testing including exome sequencing is used when indicated. • Stroke faculty members Marcella Wozniak, MD, PhD and Karen Yarbrough, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC, are serving on the Stroke Quality Improvement Committee of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). • Stroke faculty are working with the Maryland Stroke Coordinators Consortium to develop protocols for the evaluation of patients for mechanical thrombectomy. Faculty also have partnered with community hospitals throughout Maryland to provide 24/7 consultation for acute ischemic stroke patients. n CLINICAL HIGHLIGHTS