The signature wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is traumatic brain injury. Epilepsy will be a long-term, serious consequence for many of these wounded warriors, resulting in difficult-to-control seizures, along with potential motor disability and cognitive decline. Traumatic brain injury also affects about 1.5 million American civilians annually. Dr. Pitkänen will investigate two pharmacological compounds that increase neuronal excitability as a way to assess if they can modify the neurobiological processes that lead to post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). The ultimate goal is to develop treatments that could potentially prevent the development of PTE, as well as enhance motor and cognitive recovery, in an animal model of epilepsy.
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