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| Name: | Thomas Wichmann |
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| Position: |
Associate Professor of Neurology |
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| Degree: |
M.D., University of Freiburg, 1984 |
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| Programs: |
NS,
Full Member MSP, Full Member |
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| Phone: | 404 727-3511 | |
| Address: | 6109 WMB, 101 Woodruff Circle, 2400/001/1AA | |
| Email: | twichma@emory.edu | |
| Research Descriptions: | ||
| Short: | Primate research on the physiology of the basal ganglia; pathophysiology of movement disorders, such as Parkinson¿s disease. | |
| Long: |
The research in my laboratory focuses on evaluating the role of abnormal nerve cell activity in the basal ganglia in the development of parkinsonian motor signs. Over the last years pathophysiologic models have been developed that link the occurrence of parkinsonian motor signs to specific abnormalities of discharge in several of the basal ganglia nuclei. These models are still in their infancy, and still need considerable refinement to satisfactorily account for the multitude of motor problems seen in parkinsonism. Over the last years we have closely studied the role of the subthalamic nucleus in parkinsonism. One of the findings of this study, i.e., the effectiveness of subthalamic nucleus lesions in the treatment of parkinsonism in primates, has led in the meantime to the development of several novel neurosurgical strategies (lesioning and stimulation) for parkinsonism in humans. Another ongoing focus of my laboratory is the role of the substantia nigra pars reticulata in normal movement and parkinsonism. Up to now we have done most of these studies with electrophysiologic recording, focal brain lesioning, and behavioral observation techniques in primates. We have recently started the use of microdialysis methods in order to correlate the electrophysiologic results with measurements of changes in GABA and glutamate levels in the basal ganglia. The overall goal of the work done in my laboratory is, of course, to gain a better understanding of the cascade of chemical and electrophysiologic changes that occur as consequence of loss of striatal dopamine in parkinsonism that can then be translated into new and more effective therapies. |
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