Deborah J. Watson, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery
Dr. Watson's research centers on understanding mechanisms that underlie traumatic brain injury and the development of potential therapeutic treatment strategies. We are currently elucidating mechanisms by which neurotrophins protect hippocampal neurons after traumatic brain injury. We are also studying the effect of pre-injury exercise on recovery from TBI.
Related Publications:
Royo, N., D. LeBold, S. Magge, H.I. Chen, A. Hauspurg, A. Cohen, D.J. Watson (2007) Neurotrophin-mediated neuroprotection of hippocampal neurons following traumatic brain injury is not associated with acute recovery of hippocampal function. Neuroscience 148(2): 359-70.
Royo NC, Vandenberghe LH, Ma JY, Hauspurg A, Yu L, Maronski M, Johnston J, Dichter MA, Wilson JM, Watson DJ. (2008) Specific AAV serotypes stably transduce primary hippocampal and cortical cultures with high efficiency and low toxicity. Brain Research 1190: 15-22. (Cover article)
Malik SZ, Motamedia S, Royo NC, LeBold D, Watson DJ. (2010) Identification of potentially neuroprotective genes upregulated by neurotrophin treatment of CA3 neurons in the injured brain. Journal of Neurotrauma, in press.
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Neurosurgery
Email address: DJW3@mail.med.upenn.edu