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Alzheimer's Disease / Dementia

 As life expectancy grows to unprecedented ages, diseases of age, especially Alzheimer's and Dementia, are becoming more and more prevalent. Accordingly, understanding and combating this disease has become a major focus of many labs,
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Epilepsy

 Epilepsy is a common chronic neurologic disorder characterized by transient seizures. Common comorbidities of this disorder are depression and anxiety. As seizures are often attributable to abnormal electrical neuronal activity, we have long examined the impact of TMS and tDCS both before and during seizure episodes. We hope someday to use brain stimulation not only to predict seizure onset but also to help determine neural markers of developing seizure disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorder

 Autism Spectrum Disorder designates any pervasive developmental disorder. Typically characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties, and focused interests, ASD is still largely a mystery across the medical community

Stroke / Aphasia

 A stroke is a rapid decline of brain function caused by a disturbance on the brain's blood supply. A common impairment following some strokes is Aphasia: a disorder of language marked by the inability to speak, read, or write. We are exploring the effect of neuromodulation on aphasic symptoms and whether or not TMS can be used to help in the rehabilitative efforts of those suffering from this disorder

ITP - Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Introduction Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, which is also called ITP, is an autoimmune disorder that causes very low platelet counts. An autoimmune disorder is one in which a person produces antibodies against his or her own tissues. What is going on in the body? Platelets, which are made by the bone marrow, are essential for blood clotting. In ITP, the body produces antibodies that attack the platelets and destroy them. Normally the body makes antibodies to fight infections. In ITP, the body for some reason makes antibodies against its own tissues, called autoantibodies. These autoantibodies act to destroy platelets. The result is a low platelet count, known as thrombocytopenia. The cause of ITP is unknown. But certain viral infections seem to cause some cases of ITP. This in turn creates antibodies that attack the platelets, which are then removed from the bloodstream. Normal platelet counts are between 150,000 and 450,000. People with ITP may have very l

Direct coombs test

Introduction The direct Coombs' test detects antibodies, which are proteins that react against other molecules, on the surface of an individual's red blood cells. Who is a candidate for the test? The direct Coombs' test is usually done to see if a person is making antibodies against his or her own red blood cells. These antibodies are called "autoantibodies." How is the test performed? To perform the direct Coombs' test, a blood sample is taken from a vein on the forearm or hand. To get a blood sample, the skin over the vein is cleaned with an antiseptic. Next, a strong rubber tube, or "tourniquet," is wrapped around the upper arm. This enlarges the veins in the lower arm by restricting blood flow through them. A fine needle is gently inserted into a vein, and the tourniquet is removed. Blood flows from the vein through the needle and is collected in a syringe or vial for testing in the laboratory. After the needle is withdrawn