Nanoparticle-Mediated Reduction of Oxidative Stress for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury

It is understood that in this collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Forrest Kievit, I will investigate how cortical tissue preservation and axonal injury are altered under variable levels of post-traumatic oxidative and carbonyl stress controlled by your proposed nanoparticle antioxidants NPs. My group has published extensively using these techniques in the context of antioxidant and anti-carbonyl treatments in CCI mice. Furthermore, we will utilize the services of Neuroscience Associates for utilization of their multi-block technology and their de Olmos amino cupric silver staining of axonal degeneration in the injured brain. We have worked with them for many years and their state of the art sectioning and staining techniques are outstanding and will greatly enhance data quality. When we receive the boxes of their slides, we will utilize highly quantifiable image analysis methods and statistical analysis approaches for blinded measurement of the extent of axonal degeneration-associated silver staining to assess the neuroprotective effects of your nanoparticle antioxidants. We will provide that image analysis data to you for your analysis of how well the tissue preservation correlates with improved cognitive and motor functional effects. In addition, I am happy to provide additional input and assistance as this project progresses. We will schedule quarterly conference calls for the duration of this project to ensure adequate communication. I will of course make myself available for additional discussions as the need arises throughout the project.