Brain Health Resilience

Biopharmaceutical Drug Development for Stroke

Development of new biopharmaceutical drugs to control the progression of strokes, TBIs, and beyond.

A multidisciplinary research team led by Dr. Todd Peterson, Dr. Arthur Frampton, and Dr. Ying Wang is developing a novel biopharmaceutical intervention for the treatment of strokes and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The team uses artificial intelligent (AI) tools to design novel GLP1R agonists (the type of peptide drugs like Ozempic) that can effectively control progressive brain cell death caused by strokes and TBIs. These drugs also have the potential to improve the prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. This project is supported by the UNCW Brain Health Resilient Research Hub Grant, UNCW Office of Innovation & Commercialization New Invention Grant, and NC Biotechnology Center Flash Grant.

Neuroprotective Protein in Deep-Diving Mammal Brains

Neuroglobin, the “emergency oxygen tank” in our brains, is a lesson learned from deep-diving marine mammals.

The groups of Dr. Michael Tift, Dr. Pierre Le Pabic, and Dr. Ying Wang are collaborating to demystify how the protein neuroglobin maintains sufficient oxygen supplies to the brains of whales and seals during hours of deep diving. The knowledge obtained from this research could lead to the discovery of nature-inspired pharmaceutical intervention of human brain hypoxia (insufficient oxygen) in strokes and TBIs. This project is supported by the UNCW Brain Health Resilient Research Hub Grant, the UNCW Cahill Grant, and the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program.

Collaborative effort led by Dr. Kara Yopak and Dr. Rachel Kohman to investigate neuroplasticity, or the brain's ability to adapt, grow, and stabilize cellular networks that expand the brain’s functional capabilities and promote resilience to brain disorders like neurodegenerative disease.  The team evaluates neuroplasticity in both traditional preclinical models and nontraditional models (e.g., sharks) to advance knowledge on neuroplasticity regulation across species.  The research goal is to identify common and divergent processes that shape neuroplasticity across vertebrates. Such knowledge has high translational potential to develop effective neuroplasticity-based therapies as a way to increase resilience against insults to brain health. This research program is supported by the UNCW Brain Health Resilient Research Hub Grant and is seeking support through the National Science Foundation (NSF). 

Neck Strength Assessment and Predicative Algorithm

A multidisciplinary research team, led by Dr. Lindsey Schroeder and Dr. Alex McDaniel, has developed the Neck Strength Assessment Tool (NSAT) with a corresponding mobile application and is developing a preventative algorithm. Enhancing neck strength emerges as a viable and quantifiable strategy to mitigate the risk of TBIs, particularly concussions, by directly addressing the forces contributing to such injuries. The NSAT has the ability to measure neck strength to determine if neck strengthening protocols are effective. This project is currently supported by the UNCW Brain Health Resilience Research Hub Grant and NC Biotechnology Center Translational Research Grant (TRG).

SportGait

Led by Dr. Len Lecci, this research involves a partnership with a private company that is housed at UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship; SportGait and its parent company, LifeGait. Current concussion assessments fail to properly identify the consequences of concussion, resulting in those with undiagnosed or not-yet-recovered concussions engaging in activities that result in more significant or even permanent brain damage. This research has focused on assessing the neurocognitive, neurobehavioral, and affective consequences of concussion using accelerometer-based assessments that are deliverable via a mobile App to improve the diagnostic and recovery decisions of medical professionals. This project is currently supported by the UNCW Brain Health Resilience Research Hub Grant.

As part of the UNCW Brain Health Research Hub, the Substance Use and Data Science (SUDS) Lab is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of substance use and addictive behaviors through cutting-edge data science and machine learning methodologies, paired with strong experimental design and domain knowledge.  SUDS’ mission is to leverage the power of data to unravel the complexities of addiction, inform evidence-based interventions, and improve outcomes for individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative research, and the development of state-of-the-art machine learning models, the center aims to improve substance use treatment and prevention by 1) better leveraging existing data sets generated in the context of substance use research and/or treatment and 2) Utilize novel data collection strategies, coupled with data science, to acquire the data most relevant to clinical decision-making.