Department of Neurology

Research Opportunities

Research at the UWSOM contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge, the prevention and treatment of disease, and the strengthening of our economy from collaborations with private industry. UW researchers regularly receive national and international honors. Among the faculty are five Nobel Prize laureates, 29 members of the National Academy of Sciences, and 26 members of the Institute of Medicine. The UWSOM ranks first among public medical schools and second among all medical schools in federal research funding. The VAPSHCS is the second largest VA funded research program in the country and hosts a number of investigators conducting research into neurological diseases.

The creation of new knowledge through research is one of our core missions. The insights gained about normal and abnormal brain function advance neurology and ultimately help our patients. The Department of Neurology conducts basic and clinical research at our four affiliated hospitals: University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, Children’s and VAPSHCS, as well as at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Neurology residents are strongly encouraged to participate in research during and/or following their residency training. Special arrangements can be made to allow a more extensive research experience during residency.

Ongoing Research Areas

  • Synaptic integration in hippocampal and striatal neurons
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Epilepsy Pathogenesis (including pediatric epilepsy)
  • Infectious diseases of the nervous system
  • Huntington’s Disease
  • Muscular Dystrophies, including gene therapy
  • Other neurogenetic disorders
  • Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementing illnesses
  • Parkinson’s Disease treatment and etiology
  • Developmental neurotoxicology
  • Neuro-epidemiology
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Headache
  • Basic mechanisms of anti-epileptic medications
  • Stroke: basic science and clinical studies
  • Stem cell therapies for white matter disorders
  • Glial cells in neurological diseases
  • Astrocytes and brain energy metabolism

Helpful Links
http://compneuro.washington.edu/
http://csne-erc.org/about-us
http://faculty.washington.edu/mkot/mathematical_biology/
https://neurology.uw.edu/clinical-care/neurogenetics/
https://rad.washington.edu/research/research-groups/