Mentor

Alexander Bassuk, MD, PhD

Program Start

August 2023

PhD Research Concentration

I am currently working on developing novel therapies for temporal lobe epilepsy in a  kainic acid-induced model of epilepsy. The injury creates neurological changes that promote the production of proinflammatory cytokines which result in free radicals products, neurodegeneration, and gliosis. Together they create an overarching neuroinflammation that promotes the development of epilepsy. By attenuating this neuroinflammation, my hope is to prevent the progression of epilepsy altogether.

Dissertation Topic

Neuroprotective effects of naltrexone, a mu-opioid receptor antagonist, in juvenile mouse models of epilepsy

Thesis Defense Date

December 2023