Aleksandra Mineyko

Use of biomarker technology to determine pathophysiology of pediatric neurological diseases such as perintal stroke and pediatric vasculopathy

Rare neurological diseases are collectively common, yet often poorly understood in pediatric neurology. They account for enormous health care costs. They result in significant morbidity and family burden. True mechanisms of disease are the unifying target for both understanding pathophysiology and designing new treatments. Inflammation provides a tangible example applicable to all pediatric neurology subspecialties. Modern biomarker technologies provide remarkable opportunities to explore such mechanisms. Such analyses can be performed on minute volumes (100uL) of any body fluid providing immediate and great clinical research potential. We continue to grow collaborations with researchers in other major centers to determine the role of inflammation in neurological diseases of childhood. Major directions poised for growth include pediatric stroke, traumatic brain injury, pediatric demyelinating diseases, medically-refractory epilepsy, primary headache disorders, and applying this knowledge to trial new treatments in childhood neurological disorders.