Dr. Yi-Chen Lai is a board-certified pediatric intensive care physician with a long-standing interest in neuroscience. He completed two years of research training as a T32 fellow at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and is currently a K12 award recipient at Baylor College of Medicine and is enrolled in the Clinical Scientist Training Program, funded by a K30 grant. He proposes further career development to become a successful, independent investigator in the field of epilepsy. His main research interest is status epilepticus, a prevalent disease of childhood associated with significant mortality and morbidity. During the K12 funding period, Dr. Lai has examined the role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) in status epilepticus. PARP-1 activation was associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate mediated excitotoxicity in many brain pathologies. However, the role of PARP-1 in seizures and status epilepticus remains undefined. He found that PARP-1 was activated during status epilepticus. PARP-1 inhibition decreased neuronal damage in the hippocampus in vivo, and preserved mitochondrial function against oxidative stress ex vivo. He now hypothesizes that PARP-1 is activated in status epilepticus and contributes to several neuropathological changes. He will examine: 1. the temporal, cellular and sub-cellular hippocampal PARP-1 activation in status epilepticus, 2. the effects of PARP-1 activation on the latency of seizures and status epilepticus and hippocampal damage, and 3. the contribution of PARP-1 activation to mitochondrial dysfunction following status epilepticus. This project will solidify Dr. Lai's research background in epilepsy and expand his skills to mitochondrial biology. His mentors, Dr. Anne E. Anderson (epilepsy) and Dr. William J. Craigen (mitochondrial biology) are well-established investigators in their respective fields, each with an excellent record in mentoring young faculty members. Dr. Lai is working in the Cain Foundation Laboratories, members of which have diverse research interests in clinical and basic neuroscience with a focus on epilepsy and thus provide a rich intellectual environment in which to conduct translational research.

Public Health Relevance

This proposed project has great clinical relevance as status epilepticus is a prevalent and potentially fatal disorder. Understanding the pathologic processes occurring in status epilepticus will provide insights into its detrimental consequences and possibly suggest novel therapeutic interventions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08NS063117-02
Application #
7826592
Study Section
NST-2 Subcommittee (NST)
Program Officer
Stewart, Randall R
Project Start
2009-05-15
Project End
2014-04-30
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2011-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$170,490
Indirect Cost
Name
Baylor College of Medicine
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
051113330
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
Lai, Yi-Chen; Li, Na; Lawrence, William et al. (2018) Myocardial remodeling and susceptibility to ventricular tachycardia in a model of chronic epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 3:213-223
Ali, Wail; Bubolz, Beth A; Nguyen, Linh et al. (2017) Epilepsy is associated with ventricular alterations following convulsive status epilepticus in children. Epilepsia Open 2:432-440
Lai, Yi-Chen; Baker, J Scott; Donti, Taraka et al. (2017) Mitochondrial Dysfunction Mediated by Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 Activation Contributes to Hippocampal Neuronal Damage Following Status Epilepticus. Int J Mol Sci 18:
Brewster, Amy L; Marzec, Kyle; Hairston, Alexandria et al. (2016) Early cardiac electrographic and molecular remodeling in a model of status epilepticus and acquired epilepsy. Epilepsia 57:1907-1915
Lai, Yi-Chen (2015) Seizure Detection in the PICU: Can We ""See"" Seizures Better in Color? Pediatr Crit Care Med 16:486-7