Clinical Research at Spaulding

Spaulding Rehabilitation Network clinical research projects include studies related to:

• Aging
• Assistive Technologies
• Brain Injury
• Burn Injury
• Motion Analysis
• Muscle Cell Research
• Spinal Cord Injury

Aging

Mobility - Jonathan Bean, MD, MS

Dr. Bean's research focuses upon the amelioration and prevention of mobility related disability among older adults. His current research focuses on identifying modifiable impairments underlying mobility decline in the elderly, as well as developing rehabilitative interventions to prevent mobility related disability among at risk populations, such as those with musculoskeletal disorders. He has expertise in exercise physiology, human performance and epidemiology. His work is funded through both the National Institutes of Health and Private Foundations.

Cardiovascular Research - J. Andrew Taylor, PhD

The cardiovascular research program is focused on the study of changes in cardiovascular function associated with healthy aging and age related diseases. Current studies are investigating the mechanisms of these changes as well as interventions such as exercise and statin treatment to prevent or overcome cardiovascular declines associated with coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke.

Assistive Technologies

Brain-Computer Interfaces - Leigh Hochberg, MD, PhD

Dr. Hochberg is working on the BrainGate Neural Interface System to determine whether individuals with quadriplegia might be able to control a computer cursor by thought alone. The studies are recruiting people with spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, and ALS.

Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Longitudinal Follow-Up Center - Mel Glenn, MD and Southey Saul

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital has continued to work with the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) as a longitudinal follow-up center by virtue of a contract with the TBIMS National Data and Statistical Center at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, who is in turn funded by a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education. The grant supports the participation of Spaulding in a nationwide database collecting a broad variety of data from TBI patients to build a better understanding of the dynamics of this condition.

Cardiovascular Laboratory Research - J. Andrew Taylor, PhD

The Cardiovascular Research Laboratory is pursuing research into potential physiologic explanations for the intrinsic ability of the blood vessels in the brain to "auto-regulate" blood flow. Current research is characterizing potential mechanisms for this autoregulation and how it may be compromised after traumatic brain injury, potentially resulting in characteristic symptoms of headache and dizziness.

Effect of Zolpidem on Restoration of Consciousness Following TBI - Ross Zafonte, DO

Spaulding is currently conducting a research study on the drug zolpidem, an FDA approved medication to treat sleep related issues. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether zolpidem can help to restore consciousness in individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury. The study consists of three phases. Phase I lasts two days and takes place in the home. The caregiver will administer one day of placebo and one day of active drug, and monitor and record any changes observed. Those patients who are responsive to zolpidem will be invited to participate in Phase II of the study, which takes place at Spaulding and will also last two days. Patients who are deemed responsive to zolpidem in this phase will then proceed to Phase III, which involves a three day visit to Moss Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia. All transportation will be arranged. Qualified candidates must be 18 years of age or older, sustained a TBI at least 4 months prior to enrollment and are currently in a vegetative or minimally conscious state.

Effects of Amantidine on the Treatment of Chronic TBI Irritability and Aggression - Ross Zafonte, DO

Irritability and aggression are common, yet difficult to treat, symptoms of TBI. Amantadine is an FDA approved drug that is used to treat Influenza A, Parkinson's disease and other similar conditions. A recent, single site study has indicated the possibility of a beneficial effect of Amantidine on the treatment of irritability and aggression in TBI patients. The purpose of this 3-month research study is to investigate whether Amantadine is effective in treating irritability and aggression in patients with TBI. Qualified candidates must be 18 - 65 years of age, sustained a TBI at least 6 months prior to enrollment and continue to experience irritability and aggression.

Burn Injury

Jeffery Schneider, MD

Dr. Schneider oversees a variety of research studies in the field of burn rehabilitation.  Current clinical studies involve the use of novel robotic and computer gaming technology to treat burn contractures and an investigation of non-invasive brain stimulation to treat burn pain.  In addition, the burn rehabilitation research group is investigating long term outcomes of burn survivors utilizing a national rehabilitation dataset and by examining the experiences of a unique cohort of survivors of a large-scale fire.

Motion Analysis

Paolo Bonato, PhD

Spaulding's Motion Analysis Laboratory combines laboratory and field assessments focused on biomechanics, wearable sensors and robotics assessments to enhance mobility in individuals with mobility limiting conditions caused by age, illness, or trauma. Research topics include cerebral palsy, muscle coordination in healthy subjects and stroke survivors, use of robotic exoskeletons for gait retraining and upper limb motion, restoration of gait in amputees, home monitoring via wearable sensors of individuals with mobility limiting conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, stroke and COPD. For more information, please go to: http://www.spauldingnetwork.org/research/motion-analysis-lab.aspx or http://srh-mal.net/

Muscle Cell Research

Dr. Lisa S. Krivickas Muscle Cell Lab; Jeffrey Widrick

Dr. Jeffrey Widrick is investigating mechanisms underlying contractile dysfunction during muscle atrophy, injury, and disease. Current projects use single fiber and whole muscle preparations to understand contraction-induced muscle damage, improve functional recovery from prolonged physical inactivity, and develop treatments for muscular dystrophies.

Spinal Cord Injury

Leslie Morse, DO

Dr. Morse is working on project funded by NIH and the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network entitled "Neuro-Osteogenic Interactions Following Spinal Cord Injury". The purpose of this project is to investigate the pathophysiology of bone loss associated with human neurological disorders, including spinal cord injury.

Spinal Cord Injury Model System
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s Spinal Cord Injury Program was selected as a Spinal Cord Injury Model System site by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) for October 2011-September 2016. This funding allows Spaulding clinicians and researchers to improve both regional and national understanding of SCI treatment models. Each SCI Model Systems site contributes to the national SCI Model Systems Database for a better understanding of long-term health outcomes. For additional information on Spaulding Harvard Spinal Cord Injury Model System please go to www.sh-sci.org.