BLRD Research Career Scientist Award Application
Dr. Vemuganti’s current research is to find therapies for preventing secondary brain damage and to promote neurological recovery following either traumatic brain injury (TBI) or ischemic stroke. TBI and stroke are leading causes of disability in service personnel and Veterans and they suffer the effects of these for decades after the initial events. Oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that starts within hours and continues for days promotes neuronal death that lead to long-term neurological deficits after TBI. Hence, the currently funded Merit Review Grant of Dr. Vemuganti will test the hypothesis that an antioxidant combination therapy (to prevent the formation of ROS and induce the disposal of ROS) protects the brain and promotes long-term functional gains in both sexes at different ages after TBI. We further test the hypothesis that preventing oxidative stress and ER stress together is more efficacious to protect the brain and to promote neurological recovery afte