Dr. Dritan Agalliu's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its effects on the brain's blood-barrier system. Using advanced human cell models, particularly stem cells, the lab investigates how immune responses and blood components impact brain function after injury. They aim to develop innovative models that can help identify new biomarkers for TBI and test potential treatments to mitigate its effects.

Dr. Richard P Mayeux's lab at Columbia University focuses on studying blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease, particularly in diverse populations. They investigate how these biomarkers can help improve diagnosis and understanding of the disease, using innovative techniques and community-based studies. Their work aims to identify genetic risk factors and how various elements like age, sex, and race impact Alzheimer's diagnosis.

Dr. Gao Wang's lab focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular basis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by using advanced computational methods and multi-omics data. They study how genetic variations affect RNA modifications and other molecular traits in brain cells, particularly in diverse populations such as African Americans and Hispanics. The ultimate goal is to identify specific genes and processes that contribute to AD, which may pave the way for new therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Marla J Hamberger's lab focuses on improving language assessment tools for Spanish speakers undergoing evaluations for epilepsy and other neurological conditions. Currently, many of the existing tests are only available in English, leading to disparities in care for Spanish-speaking patients. By developing and validating Spanish language tests, the lab aims to ensure that bilingual patients receive the same quality of care as their English-speaking counterparts, ultimately enhancing diagnostic accuracy and surgical outcomes.

Dr. Elizabeth M Bradshaw's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding the link between the immune system and Alzheimer's disease (AD). They investigate how genetic factors influence the immune response to HSV-1, a virus that may play a role in AD progression. By integrating genetics, immunology, and computational biology, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms by which HSV-1 interacts with genetic predispositions to AD and affects microglial function.

Dr. Tristan T. Sands' lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding and treating complex neurological disorders in children, specifically Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEE). The lab studies the genetic aspects of these disorders and utilizes genetically engineered mice to explore new gene therapy techniques. By investigating when and how gene changes affect neuron development, the lab aims to create effective therapies that can help manage DEE symptoms for affected families.

Dr. Sheng-Han Kuo's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding and developing therapies for cerebellar disorders such as ataxia and essential tremor. The lab investigates how specific changes in brain cell function and structure contribute to these disorders, aiming to restore normal brain circuit activity. By utilizing mouse models and human brain samples, the research seeks to uncover new treatment options for patients who currently have limited therapies available.

Dr. Nathaniel Sawtell's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding brain circuits, particularly the cerebellum's role in feeding behaviors and internal modeling for sensory predictions. The research aims to identify how these circuits regulate body weight and manage sensory-motor functions, providing insights that could inform treatments for obesity and neurological disorders. Through innovative experimental techniques, the lab investigates the cerebellum's involvement in cognition and motivative behaviors.

Dr. Randolph S. Marshall's lab focuses on understanding how blood flow issues in the brain can affect cognitive function in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. They're investigating whether interventions like carotid revascularization could help prevent cognitive decline in these patients. Their work combines advanced imaging techniques with clinical trials to explore treatment options that could improve brain health and potentially establish new guidelines for managing cognitive impairment related to vascular conditions.

Dr. Hyunmi Choi's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding how certain health risk factors relate to dementia and stroke in older adults with late-onset epilepsy. They investigate how vascular conditions, which affect blood vessels in the brain, may contribute to cognitive decline and increased stroke risk in these individuals. The lab aims to develop better strategies for assessing and reducing these risks to improve brain health in older adults.

Dr. Mark M. Churchland's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding how the motor cortex in the brain contributes to voluntary movement. They study the complexity of neural activity in this region, which can vary significantly from one neuron to another, making it challenging to decipher how motor commands are generated. By utilizing advanced techniques like large-scale neural recordings and innovative experimental designs, the lab aims to develop insights that can help design interventions for movement disorders caused by brain damage.

Professor Philip L De Jager's lab focuses on understanding Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its complexities as people age. They use advanced technologies to create detailed maps of the brain's molecular changes and how these changes affect cognition. By studying both genetic factors and brain pathology, the lab aims to uncover new insights into AD, potentially paving the way for improved treatments.

Dr. Wassim Elyaman's research focuses on understanding how the immune system interacts with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a serious neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. His lab investigates specific proteins and antigens that might be involved in the immune response in ALS patients. By characterizing these immune responses, the lab aims to develop more precise immunotherapies that could help slow down disease progression for ALS patients.

Dr. Vincent P. Ferrera's research lab focuses on understanding how the brain learns and processes information, particularly in relation to working memory and inferential reasoning. The lab investigates new methods of using focused ultrasound to improve cognitive functions in models of neurological and psychiatric disorders. This research aims to pave the way for non-addictive treatments that could help those suffering from memory impairments due to conditions like Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.

Dr. Stefano Fusi's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding how the dentate gyrus, a part of the hippocampus, contributes to cognitive functions like memory and learning, especially in the context of aging and diseases like Alzheimer's. The lab studies adult hippocampal neurogenesis, the process of generating new neurons in the brain, which decreases with aging and is associated with cognitive decline. By exploring this process through genetic and pharmacological approaches, they aim to discover new methods to restore memory function in older individuals.

Dr. Vikram Gadagkar's lab focuses on understanding how the brain of female songbirds processes and evaluates male songs, which can reveal insights into social behaviors and interactions. By studying the neural circuits involved in mate choice, the lab aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of social evaluation, which are relevant to various human social disorders. The research combines approaches from neurobiology, ethology, and computational biology to establish the female songbird as a model for understanding these complex behaviors.

Dr. Suzanne M. Leal's research focuses on understanding the genetic factors behind age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and tinnitus, particularly in diverse populations. She is also investigating the genetic causes of intellectual disability (ID), aiming to identify specific genes involved across various ethnic groups. By leveraging advanced genetic analysis tools and extensive datasets, her lab seeks to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies for these conditions, ultimately aiming to address health disparities.

Dr. David Roh's lab at Columbia University focuses on improving treatments for patients suffering from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), a severe type of stroke. They explore how to better diagnose coagulation issues that lead to ongoing bleeding and worse neurological outcomes in ICH patients. By using advanced blood tests and specialized assays, the lab aims to develop more precise treatments that can prevent complications and improve patient recovery.

Dr. Minoree Kohwi's lab at Columbia University investigates how neural progenitors organize their genomes to generate diverse types of neurons during brain development. By studying the Drosophila fruit fly model, the lab explores the relationship between genome organization, gene expression, and neuronal identity, providing insights into fundamental processes of neurodevelopment that are critical for cognitive and motor functions.

Dr. Jennifer Manly's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding the reasons behind racial disparities in Alzheimer's disease and related cognitive impairments. The lab studies how social and biological factors influence cognitive health, particularly in middle-aged adults from diverse backgrounds. By examining data from a large group of participants, they aim to identify ways to mitigate risks and improve outcomes for those affected by these disparities.