Neuroimmunology Program

The Neuroimmunology Program is a collaborative program that encompasses the Neuroimmunology Laboratory, the Clinical Research Team, and the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Project.  The goals of these programs are to improve understanding of the causes of neuroimmune diseases and to develop strategies for treatment.

Program Focus

• Enhance understanding of the immunopathogenesis of human neuroinflammatory disorders by studying the bilateral regulation of innate immunity and autoimmunity in humans and relevant animal models
• Develop strategies for curing autoimmune diseases of the nervous system by reprogramming the immune system to restore normal function
• Develop animal and in vitro models to support preclinical studies.
• Study human responses to experimental therapeutic interventions from the perspective of immunoregulation
• Investigate the potential of Schwann cells and bone marrow stem cells to repair myelin and to provide neuroprotective factors in the central nervous system
• Investigate strategies for increasing cortical plasticity to enhance neurorehabilitation
• Facilitate and conduct research on long-term outcomes and investigate the long-term effects of treatments and healthcare delivery
• Provide training and mentorship to doctoral and postdoctoral students, clinical fellows, and resident physicians to prepare them for future careers in neuroimmunology