Departments
Research in Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics
In This Section
Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics
The work of the faculty in the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics (NET) is supported by millions of dollars in intramural and extramural funds. These grants include, among industry and foundation grants, predoctoral fellowships awarded to PhD and MD/PhD students, R01s awarded to individual investigators, and larger, highly collaborative, multiple-principal-investigator grants such as U grants and Center grants.
This work is highly translational and, as such, advances our basic understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system and also advances the development of novel treatments for disease. The work of NET faculty provides insight into the effect of high-fat diet, obesity and diabetes on the retina, cardiovascular system, gut, brain, vasculature and behavior, including that of the offspring.
Via their preclinical work, NET faculty members are discovering novel avenues for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and autism, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, wound healing, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and the treatment of pain and addiction.
Finally, the work on cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, wound healing, cancer, pain and addiction has advanced to study in human clinical trials.
Penn State Neuroscience Institute
The Penn State Neuroscience Institute is a cross-campus entity, with closely interacting components at Hershey and one at University Park that facilitates collaborative, interdisciplinary interactions. At the Hershey campus, clinicians and clinical researchers collaborate with their basic scientist colleagues in a variety of departments across both campuses.
Institute researchers, educators and trainees partner with our clinicians treating patients with disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, brain tumors, epilepsy, stroke and addiction, to study the neurobiological basis of these diseases, develop cutting-edge therapies and ultimately improve care for patients.