Augusta University · NeuroscienceHess Hematology Lab
David C. Hess · Augusta, Georgia
Research Focus
Dr. David C. Hess's lab at Augusta University focuses on understanding how red blood cell dysfunction affects cognitive decline, particularly in conditions like vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. The team investigates whether improving red blood cell function through exercise and a conditioning technique can enhance brain health and potentially prevent cognitive issues in patients. Their research aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies targeting red blood cells to tackle dementia effectively.
red blood cellsvascular cognitive impairmentdementiacognitive functionexercise therapyremote ischemic conditioningcerebral small vessel diseaseendothelial dysfunctioncognitive impairmentbiomarkers
Research Aims
3AIM 01Determine the contribution of erythroid NOS3 levels to white matter damage and cognitive outcomes in mice models.
AIM 02Investigate whether improving red blood cell dysfunction through exercise or remote ischemic conditioning enhances cognition and reduces white matter injury.
AIM 03Evaluate the effects of remote ischemic conditioning on red blood cell function in human subjects with vascular cognitive impairment.
Skills the Lab Values
mice modelschronic remote ischemic conditioningphysical exercise protocolscerebral blood flow measurementbiomarker analysisWestern blotmagnetic resonance imagingdata collection and analysiscell physiology techniquesexperimental design
Output against the department
Publications366top 18% of dept.119th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations16ktop 25% of dept.166th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.