Walter High, PhD
Endowed Chairman of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Gerald V. Klim, D.O. 
Chairman
 
Susan McDowell, M.D.
Spinal Cord

Robert B. Nickerson, M.D.
Residency Program Director

Sara S. Salles, D.O.
Neurorehabilitation

Joe E. Springer, PhD
Endowed Chairman of Neurorehabilitation

Randal Schleenbaker, M.D.
Chief of Rehabilitation at Veterans Affairs Facility (VA) 

Nancy J. Stiles, M.D.
Geriatrics

Chad A. Walters, D.O.
Traumatic Brain Injury

 

Joe E. Springer, PhD

RESEARCH

Mitochondrial Function and Cell Death in Traumatic Spinal Cord and Brain Injury.

It has been well documented that widespread neuronal and glial cell death occurs following traumatic spinal cord and brain injury. In addition, important advances have been made in understanding the intracellular pathways controlling cell death after injury. The goal of our research is to limit neuronal and glial cell loss and the resulting neurological deficits by blocking steps occurring early in the cell death process. Recently, we have focused our efforts on identifying the mitochondrial events responsible for regulating cell survival and death. We are particularly interested in identifying therapeutic agents that limit mitochondrial dysfunction as a means of promoting cell survival, and are currently testing a novel agent targeting mitochondria permeability transition. Our research program works closely with various Departments and Centers at the University of Kentucky and the Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital to ensure that highly promising lab bench discoveries reach the bedside.

Representative Publications

Springer, J.E., Azbill, R.D., and Knapp, P.E. Activation of the caspase-3 apoptotic cascade in spinal cord trauma. Nature Medicine: 5, 943-946, 1999.

Mu, X., Azbill, R.D., and Springer, J.E. Riluzole and methylprednisolone combined treatment improves functional recovery in traumatic spinal cord injury. J. Neurotrauma, 17(9):773-780, 2000.

Mu, X., Azbill, R.D., and Springer, J.E. Treatment with NBQX improves mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative events after traumatic spinal cord injury. J. Neurotrauma 19(8):917-927, 2002.

Nottingham, S.A., Knapp, P.E., and Springer, J.E. FK506 treatment inhibits caspase-3 activation and promotes oligodendroglial survival following traumatic spinal cord injury. Exp. Neurol. 177(1):242-251, 2002.

Nottingham, S.A. and Springer, J.E. Kainic acid infusions induce caspase-3 activation and cell death of oligodendroglia in rat spinal cord. J. Comp. Neurol. 464(4):463-471, 2003.

Sullivan, P.G., Rabchevsky, A.G., Waldmeier, P.C., and Springer, J.E. Mitochondrial permeability transition in CNS trauma: Cause or effect of neuronal cell death? in press.

Sullivan, P.G., Pauly, J.R., Nukala, V.N., Sebastian, A.H., Korde, A.S., Maragos, W.F., Springer, J.E., Hall, E.D.  Targeting mitochondrial uncoupling as a possible therapeutic intervention following traumatic brain injury. in press.

McEwen, M.L. and Springer, J.E. Gait and parameters of locomotor function of adult rats. Submitted.

McEwen, M.L. and Springer, J.E. Effects of spinal cord contusion on gait and parameters of locomotor function in adult rats. Submitted.