Overview
Find out more about research within VCU's Department of Neurology...
VCU’s Department of Neurology is engaged in clinical research to better understand the underlying cause of complex neurological diseases and conditions that translates research discoveries into new treatments. As research, education and practice intersects, VCU and VCU Health are redefining the future of neurological patient care by developing more-effective, less-invasive and cost-effective treatments.
Collectively, this work enables neurology researchers to apply the latest in research to treat epilepsy, sleep disorders, stroke, chronic pain and migraine, neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and studies of cancers of the brain and nervous system (neuro-oncology).
Current Research
Current and ongoing research...
The VCU Department of Neurology is home to an active clinical and translational research program with National Institutes of Health (NIH)- and major foundation-funded projects and numerous ongoing clinical trials across all divisions.
Promising disease-modifying therapeutics are being investigated involving immunology, gene therapy and pharmacology with novel outcomes involving wearable technology, telehealth and quality of life measures. VCU Neurology is the coordinating center for numerous multicenter projects including international networks studying limb girdle muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy.
VCU is the nation’s first site for the early phases of a first-in-human clinical trial of a potentially disease-modifying therapeutic for Huntington’s disease. The department is also an active Parkinson Study Group site with several exciting investigator-initiated collaborative research endeavors currently in the pipeline including a virtual reality intervention to improve postural stability and trunk control, and new physical therapy paradigms that improve upon the current standard of care.
As part of the Stroke Central Atlantic Network for Research (SCANR), the Vascular Neurology Division is a coordinating center in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)-funded StrokeNet trial consortium. The division is leading a multicenter clinical trial through the NIH-funded Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT).
We currently participate in the Registry for the Advancement of Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy in Parkinson's Disease (RAD-PD), a multi-center quality improvement effort aimed at determining the best practices surrounding DBS in PD. These are only a few of the multitudes of research initiatives we are pursuing.
Faculty & Staff
Faculty and Staff within the Division of Research...
Nicholas E. Johnson, M.D., M.Sci., FAAN
Professor and George Bliley Research Chair in Neurology, Vice-Chair for Research, Director, Center for Inherited Muscle Research (CIMR)
Nicholas E. Johnson, M.D., M.Sci., FAAN
Professor and George Bliley Research Chair in Neurology, Vice-Chair for Research, Director, Center for Inherited Muscle Research (CIMR)
Department of Neurology
Phone: (804) 628-1624
Erin Despain
Assistant Director, Research
Kara Dixon
Program Specialist
Kara Dixon
Program Specialist
Neurology
Muscular Dystrophy Translational Research Program
Email: Kara.Dixon@vcuhealth.org
Kelly Doyle
Director, Clinical Operations
Kelly Doyle
Director, Clinical Operations
Neurology
Muscular Dystrophy Translational Research Program
Email: Kelly.doyle@vcuhealth.org
Melissa A. Hale, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Melissa A. Hale, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Neurology
Muscular Dystrophy Translational Research Program
Email: Melissa.Hale@vcuhealth.org