Igor Lavrov, MD, PhD
Asst. Professor, Department of Neurology & Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic
Abstract
Implementing Principles of Neuroanatomy, Neuroontogenesis, and Neuroplasticity in Integrative Therapies for Spinal Cord Injury
This talk will cover recent results highlighting the critical interplay between therapeutic approaches in enhancing functional recovery following spinal cord injury. We will evaluate the current state of neuromodulation and regenerative technologies and the potential to reestablish the required levels of anatomical and functional re-connectivity and network excitability to enable sensorimotor signaling via residual or regenerated connectivity. We will discuss findings on the effect of combined neuromodulation and regenerative therapies after spinal cord injury and will evaluate the potential of their integration to repair neuronal circuitry and regain function. We will further discuss the role of combined therapeutic technologies in engaging the components of neural circuits and will evaluate the main principles of integrating neuromodulation, neuroregeneration, and other merging therapies in developing effective treatment for spinal cord injury.
Bio
Igor Lavrov, MD, PhD, was trained in medicine (neurology) and neuroscience. After completing Postdoctoral Research Fellowships at the University of Louisville and at the University of California Los Angeles, he worked as a researcher at UCLA and later as an Assistant Professor at the Mayo Clinic. He also completed clinical fellowship in Deep Brain Stimulation and Clinical Neuromodulation at the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic. Over the course of his career, he has participated in and directed multiple research projects. He studied spinal cord neuromodulation on several animal models and in clinical trials. His current research interests are focused on neuronal circuits, their modulation, reorganization, and repair after traumatic injury, with particular focus on spinal cord stimulation and regenerative therapies. The ongoing success of these studies currently is leading to establishment of a new perspective for restoration after spinal cord injury.
