The Division of Child Neurology engages in a wide range of research activities to expand knowledge concerning neurological disorders in infants and children, and to innovate more effective strategies for the prevention, management and resolution of neurological diseases, disorders and injuries. Our division continues to break new ground in the understanding of conditions ranging from epilepsy to autism to pediatric brain cancer.
Researchers
Dr. Grinspan’s focuses his research efforts on the analysis of large clinical and administrative datasets to answer the core questions surrounding pediatric epilepsy.
Dr. Kosofsky’s research focuses on improving our ability to diagnose and treat concussion. His team is pioneering the use of objective tests of autonomic dysfunction to identify individuals at risk for ongoing symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury. They are also implementing a telemetry-based individualized graded exercise program downloadable to a subject’s iPhone demonstrated to accelerate recovery following concussion.
Dr. Rajadhyaksha's research revolves around the molecular mechanisms of substance abuse, drug addiction and mood disorders. Her team hopes that a better understanding of the brain at a molecular level will lead to therapeutic strategies for treating addiction and co-occurring mood-related conditions.
The Rajadhyaksha Lab is also interested in understanding how L-type Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 calcium channels contribute to addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders. Their research is carried out using a range of pharmacological and genetic techniques in combination with behavioral assays, with the goal of elucidating the molecular contribution of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels to neuropsychiatric-related endophenotypes. Ultimately, the lab aims to increase our knowledge of complex brain disorders towards the development of novel therapeutics.
Learn more: Rajadhyaksha Lab webpage
Weill Cornell Autism Research Program (WCARP)
The Weill Cornell Autism Research Program, directed by Dr. Anjali Rajadhyaksha, is a multi-institutional collaborative effort committed to advancing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) knowledge, understanding the neurobiological basis of ASD, and supporting development of new diagnostic markers and treatments for patients with autism.
Learn More: Weill Cornell Autism Research Program (WCARP)
Pediatric Concussion & Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) Program
Our pediatric concussion and MTBI team is dedicated to raising awareness and pursuing research to improve diagnostics and therapeutics for these widespread injuries.
Learn More: Pediatric Concussion & Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) Program
Exercise Therapy as Treatment (ETT) for MTBI
Dr. Barry Kosofsky leads this longitudinal clinical research study testing early initiation of a graded exercise program to accelerate recovery. Dr. Kosofky’s team assesses individuals at risk for long-term deficits to identify those who might need earlier treatment, utilizing sophisticated physiologic measurements during exercise, as well as eye tracking and electrophysiologic assessments (EEG and ERP) to measure neurocognitive performance.
Rare Epilepsies in New York City (RENYC)
Dr. Zachary Grinspan is currently conducting research that utilizes large clinical and administrative datasets to answer core questions for children with epilepsy.
Rare epilepsies are a devastating group of diseases that begin in childhood and are often associated with profound neurologic, medical and psychiatric disabilities. Dr. Grinspan’s team collects electronic physician’s notes from five academic medical centers in New York City to identify cases and understand the essential epidemiology of this vulnerable and medically complex population. The team is also developing an easy-to-share tool to find rare epilepsies through an automated search of clinical notes.