Department of Neurosurgery Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy
Mailing Address: Department of Neurosurgery Zablocki VA Medical Center 5000 West National Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53295 USA
Phone: (414) 384-2000 ext 41532 FAX: (414) 384-3493 email: mcrowe@mcw.edu
Education: PhD, University of Cincinnati, 1992
Graduate Programs: Program in Neuroscience
Research Area: Behavioral, cellular and molecular analysis of spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury
The research interests of the Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center Neurobiology Laboratory are concerned with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. We are looking at changes in gene expression within the spinal cord and affected muscles after traumatic injury.We have shown that the expression of growth factors, such as neurotrophins, is altered not only after traumatic injury to the spinal cord, but also after rehabilitative exercises designed to promote recovery of locomotion.
Other research includes the study of cellular death mechanisms after spinal cord or traumatic brain injury; the effects of pulsed magnetic fields on neurite outgrowth in cell cultures; and the recovery of locomotor function after spinal cord injury.
We are also developing a model of diffuse axonal injury (DAI). DAI is a type of brain injury whose appearance is related to the severity of the insult. It is present in milder for ms of concussion as well as in cases resulting in prolonged comas. The development of a reliable model will allow the study of the amount of DAI observed compared to the force of the injury sustained and it will allow studies of therapies that may prevent or reduce the amount of DAI that occurs after injury.