Application's Description): Dr. Gustafson is an engineer committed to establishing a career in applied neurophysiology research and development of neural prosthetic devices to restore function in individuals with neurological disorders. His short-term career goals are to develop solid foundations in electrophysiological experimental techniques, neural prostheses, genitourinary anatomy and current medical practices. The proposed career development plan will train Dr. Gustafson in 1) electrophysiological experimental techniques and neuroprostheses; 2) genitourinary-related anatomy, physiology and medical practices, and rehabilitative issues for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI); and 3) independent career development and translational research. Mentors at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), MetroHealth Medical Center (MHMC) and the Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center (FESC) will provide training and expertise, and monitor and support Dr. Gustafson's career advancement. The existing collaborative nature of this research and training environment is suited to the multi-disciplinary nature of the project and Dr. Gustafson's career goals in biomedical research. In addition to didactic instruction and structured clinical training, parallel research projects in both animals and humans with SCI are integrated into the career development plan. The research plan will investigate the underlying neurophysiology involved in control of continence and micturition using selective electrical recording and stimulation of individual nerve fascicles of the pudendal nerve. First, the individual pudendal nerve branches that allow the greatest efficacy to sense the onset of reflex bladder contractions, abolish reflex bladder contractions and elicit coordinated micturition will be identified. Second, selective control of these 3 functions with a single nerve cuff placed on the pudendal nerve will be examined. Anatomical cadaver studies and finite element modeling will be combined to evaluate and improve device selectivity. Loss of bladder control is a significant problem in individuals with neurological disorders and SCI; development of an effective, peripherally located neuroprosthesis would significantly improve clinical options for these individuals. This career development plan will establish Dr. Gustafson as an independent investigator in biomedical research and prepare him to lead research efforts in the development of neural prostheses.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award (K25)
Project #
5K25HD040298-05
Application #
6946499
Study Section
Pediatrics Subcommittee (CHHD)
Program Officer
Nitkin, Ralph M
Project Start
2001-09-01
Project End
2007-08-31
Budget Start
2005-09-01
Budget End
2007-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$110,162
Indirect Cost
Name
Case Western Reserve University
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
077758407
City
Cleveland
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44106
Boger, Adam S; Bhadra, Narendra; Gustafson, Kenneth J (2012) High frequency sacral root nerve block allows bladder voiding. Neurourol Urodyn 31:677-82
Gustafson, Kenneth J; Pinault, Gilles C J; Neville, Jennifer J et al. (2009) Fascicular anatomy of human femoral nerve: implications for neural prostheses using nerve cuff electrodes. J Rehabil Res Dev 46:973-84
Mariano, T Y; Boger, A S; Gustafson, K J (2008) The feline dorsal nerve of the penis arises from the deep perineal nerve and not the sensory afferent branch. Anat Histol Embryol 37:166-8
Bruns, Tim M; Bhadra, Narendra; Gustafson, Kenneth J (2008) Variable patterned pudendal nerve stimuli improves reflex bladder activation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 16:140-8
Boger, Adam; Bhadra, Narendra; Gustafson, Kenneth J (2008) Bladder voiding by combined high frequency electrical pudendal nerve block and sacral root stimulation. Neurourol Urodyn 27:435-9
Bruns, Tim M; Gustafson, Kenneth J; Bhadra, Narendra (2008) Reflex bladder activation via pudendal nerve and intraurethral stimulation depends on stimulation pattern and location. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2008:2760-3
Wang, Xiaofeng; Sun, Jiayang; Gustafson, Kenneth J et al. (2007) Modeling heterogeneity and dependence for analysis of neuronal data. Stat Med 26:3927-2945
Lewandowski, B E; Kilgore, K L; Gustafson, K J (2007) Design considerations for an implantable, muscle powered piezoelectric system for generating electrical power. Ann Biomed Eng 35:631-41
Gustafson, K J; Moffitt, M A; Wang, X et al. (2006) Topography of spinal neurons active during hindlimb withdrawal reflexes in the decerebrate cat. Neuroscience 141:1983-94
Gustafson, Kenneth J; Marinache, Silvia M; Egrie, Glenn D et al. (2006) Models of metabolic utilization predict limiting conditions for sustained power from conditioned skeletal muscle. Ann Biomed Eng 34:790-8

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