Traumatic spinal cord injury is often associated with secondary injury processes that expand the extent of the initial injury and results in a greater negative impact on neurological outcomes. Dr. Marsh's research is focused on trying to limit the infiltration and activation of inflammatory cells into the spinal cord after injury. Strategies that promote neuroprotection, tissue sparing and decreased secondary damage are important because a relatively few descending bulbospinal axonal tracts are sufficient to provide regulatory inputs and improve control of blood pressure and bladder function - greatly enhancing quality of life.
Dr. Marsh is currently employing experiments using mild, moderate and severe degrees of spinal cord injury to study the relationships among blood pressure, bladder function, autonomic dysreflexia, and sparing of serotonergic bulbospinal axons. This research has the potential to improve the lives of those who suffer spinal cord injury.
Brain Repair Centre
QEII Health Sciences Centre
Halifax Infirmary
3900 - 1796 Summer Street
Halifax NS B3H 3A7
Canada
E-mail: Brainrepair@dal.ca
T. (902) 473.3355
F. (902) 473.3351
Traumatic spinal cord injury is often associated with secondary injury processes that expand the extent of the initial injury and results in a greater negative impact on neurological outcomes. Dr. Marsh's research is focused on trying to limit the infiltration and activation of inflammatory cells into the spinal cord after injury. Strategies that promote neuroprotection, tissue sparing and decreased secondary damage are important because a relatively few descending bulbospinal axonal tracts are sufficient to provide regulatory inputs and improve control of blood pressure and bladder function - greatly enhancing quality of life.