Lab Projects
Neural Stem Cell Behavior in Infantile Rat Model of Obstructive Hydrocephalus
White matter damage and myelin loss, common pathological features in pediatric hydrocephalus, are believed to be associated with neurologic and psychological sequelae.
We have been studying non-invasive quantitative methods to evaluate abnormal white matter integrity and post treatment recovery in children with hydrocephalus using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
We found variable patterns DTI abnormalities in different white matter regions in children with hydrocephalus [3,6] > Yuan W. 2013, Sun M. 2012 and in a rat neonatal and infantile model of hydrocephalus [2,10] > Yuan W.2012, 2010.
Currently, we are studying the effect of hydrocephalus on neural stem cells and oligodendrocyte precursor cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation in the rat model. Histopathology and CSF data obtained before and after surgery will help determine acute and/or long-term surgical outcomes in white matter development and injury recovery in hydrocephalus.
Project Details
- Collaborators: Weihong Yuan, PhD, and Kenneth Campbell, PhD
- Funding: Longitudinal DTI study in children treated for congenital hydrocephalus