The brain is very sensitive to reductions in blood and oxygen supply. Major clinical events such as stroke, heart attack, and traumatic hemorrhage, and even the simple movement to the standing posture (orthostasis) can challenge this supply, often leading to damage to the brain tissue and subsequent neurological and physical impairment.
My laboratory strives to understand how the heart and brain respond to environmental and behavioral stressors in humans, with an emphasis on hemorrhage, orthostasis, exercise, and smoking (specifically electronic cigarettes). We also assess potential therapies that may improve how the heart and brain respond to reductions in blood and oxygen supply, including resistance breathing, oscillatory perfusion therapy, and occlusive exercise.