Research

At the Translational Neurophysiology lab, we study the autonomic nervous system and its involvement in immune function and physiological homeostasis, in health and in cardiovascular diseases. We also develop and test autonomic neuromodulation treatments of conditions with cardiovascular, immune and metabolic dysfunction.

We use methods from autonomic neuroscience, neural engineering, neuroanatomy, cardiovascular physiology and immunology to:

(a) develop and test technologies for precision autonomic neuromodulation, based on understanding the anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system,

(b) mechanistically study neural circuits and neuroimmune pathways that mediate autonomic regulation of immune function and homeostasis in health and disease,

(c) investigate neuroimmune interactions and neuromodulation treatments targeting immune dysfunction in cardiovascular disease, such as pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.

Read more about: autonomic nervous system, neural control of inflammation, inflammation and heart disease, autonomic neuromodulation

Technologies for precision autonomic neuromodulation

Stimulation of the vagus nerve (VNS) is clinically used in the treatment of epilepsy and depression, and explored as a therapeutic option in diseases with an inflammatory component, including rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, diabetes, obesity, and others. As VNS increases its therapeutic footprint, there is urgent need for more organ- and function-selective devices, to maximize efficacy and safety. We develop stimulation methods, neural interfaces and technologies for precision neuromodulation that are guided by deep knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the vagus nerve and its target organs. A lot of this work happens in large animal models.

Autonomic circuits and neuroimmune mechanisms that regulate immunity, inflammation and homeostasis

We study the neural circuits, physiological mechanisms and neuroimmune pathways by which the autonomic nervous system senses the status of peripheral organs and systems, and regulates organ function, with an emphasis on regulation of cardiopulmonary function by the vagus nerve, and of metabolic and inflammatory processes by abdominal ganglia. Much of this work is done in small animal models.


Immune dysfunction and autonomic neuromodulation in cardiovascular diseases

We investigate how the autonomic nervous system interacts with immune processes in the context of cardiovascular diseases like pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. Furthermore, we test autonomic neuromodulation therapies in preclinical models of disease, mostly in small animal species, and in early clinical studies.