Translational Neuroscience provides practical information from scientists with first-hand experience in developing a cutting-edge translational facility. The book opens with chapters that provide guidance to organizing a center for translational science. Chapters look at topics ranging from mentoring and career planning for clinician scientists to improving the design of core facilities and addressing infrastructure needs. The second half of the book provides valuable case studies of translational neuroscience in action, with examples ranging from using to transcranial magnetic stimulation to studies on drug abuse and telemedicine applications. The final chapter looks to the future of basic science research, how academic health centers can be reorganized, and how future generations of translational neuroscientists can be trained.
Translational Neuroscience provides a blueprint to developing an innovative and successful translational research program. Deans, department chairs, academic health center administrators, and researchers will find this guide useful for drafting programs in translational research and avoiding costly pitfalls. While grounded in examples from basic neuroscience research, this book will be a useful tool to all scientists looking to develop centers of translational science across research disciplines.
Table of Contents
Contributors xi
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
1 A Brief History of Translational Neuroscience 1
Edgar Garcia-Rill
Some recent history 1
Funding translational research 3
Lack of funding 4
Making NIH funding more equitable and efficient 6
How much funding is needed? 7
Medical research funding in Europe 10
References 13
2 Mentoring in Translational Neuroscience 15
Edgar Garcia-Rill
T1 blocks 15
T2 blocks 20
References 27
3 Core Facilities for Translational Neuroscience 29
Edgar Garcia-Rill
Designing translational neuroscience core facilities 31
Preattentional measure - the P50 potential 33
Attentional measures - psychomotor vigilance 35
Frontal lobe blood flow measures 36
References 42
4 Translational Studies Using TMS 43
Mark Mennemeier, Christine Sheffer, Abdallah Hayar, and Roger Buchanan
Overview 43
Introduction 44
Development of a sham stimulation technique for humans 45
PET-guided TMS studies of tinnitus perception 46
TMS investigations of decision-making in tobacco addiction 50
TMS investigations in rodents 54
Conclusion 61
References 61
5 Translational Studies in Drug Abuse 67
Veronica Bisagno, William E. Fantegrossi, and Francisco J. Urbano
Background and significance 67
Behavioral Core Facility 70
Voltage-sensitive dye imaging 75
Intravenous drug self-administration 75
References 79
6 Electrophysiology in Translational Neuroscience 83
Edgar Garcia-Rill
In vivo and in vitro animal models 83
Modafinil 84
Patch clamp recordings 85
Gamma band activity 86
Population responses 88
Preconscious awareness 89
Magnetoencephalography, the Cadillac of human electrophysiology 91
References 94
7 Translational Research on Spinal Cord Injury 97
Charlotte Yates and Kevin Garrison
Electrophysiological approach: H-reflex frequency-dependent depression 98
Biomechanical approach: windup of the stretch reflex 100
Interventions: passive exercise 101
Interventions: pharmacology (L-Dopa, Modafinil) 105
Conclusions 106
References 106
8 Translational Research in Neonatology 109
Richard Whit Hall
Introduction 109
The need for neonatal research 110
The building blocks: basic research 110
Pups to babies and back again: T1 Research 111
No problem can be solved unless it is first identified 112
From the bedside to the community: T2 research 113
The role of comparative effectiveness research 116
Barriers and rewards in translational research in neonatology 118
Opportunities for translational research in neonatology 119
Conclusion 119
References 120
9 Telemedicine in Translational Neuroscience 123
Amy Ballard and Richard Whit Hall
History of telemedicine 124
Enabling access to care 125
Telemedicine Core Facility 126
Neonatal intensive care 129
Emergency departments 131
Conclusion 132
References 132
10 Implications for the Future 135
Edgar Garcia-Rill
Fragmented infrastructure 135
Incompatible databases 136
The benefits of translational research 138
The reshaping of basic science departments 139
References 142
Index 145
