Investigating how the heart affects the brain
Our Mission
The ABC Laboratory aims to understand how the brain and blood circulation affect health and disease. We study the relationship between brain blood flow regulation, brain structure changes, and the outcomes of injury to the brain or circulatory system. In brain and blood circulation diseases, we now understand markers of brain blood flow regulation, which can be used to predict brain conditions.
Principal Investigator
Farzaneh Sorond, MD, PhD (she/her)
Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs
Dean Richard H. Young and Ellen Stearns Young Professor
Professor, Neurology (Stroke and Vascular Neurology, Neurocritical Care)
Recent Publications and Happenings
Our team celebrated Iranian New Year!
McDonald Cell Stem Cell 2018
Here we studied the molecular mechanisms of endothelial cell regeneration in adult vessels. Using a model of aortic injury, we found that regeneration occurs at the edges of the wounded area with equal strength and regardless of flow direction. Through a robust proliferative response, the wound closes by efforts of a rapidly dividing cell population that expresses Atf3.
Mack Nat. Comm. 2017
Here we showed that Notch1 is expressed at high levels in adult large arteries with polarized distribution downstream flow direction. Reversion of flow direction promotes relocation of Notch1 to the other pole of the cells, indicating that Notch is a mechanosensor. Inactivation of Noth1 affects the integrity of endothelial barrier and promotes endothelial proliferation.