Photo of child smiling in wheel chair with cerebral palsy disorder

Developmental Neurogenetics

Training Programs

The Division of Developmental Neurogenetics is a research-based division that investigates normal brain development, neurodegenerative disorders and translational research for neuroprotective and neuroregenerative therapeutics.  They collaborate with clinicians who are interested in stroke and brain injury, including neonatal neurotprotection.  The scientists are also interested in disease mechanisms of birth defect disorders, perinatal insults, cerebral palsy and inherited disorders. As part of this program, researchers are examining the functional roles of sphingolipids in the development of childhood diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, childhood cancers, vascular diseases and diabetes.The group uses several clinical rodent models related to the following diseases and students and postdoctoral fellows are trained in the following preclinical studies:

Childhood leukodystrophies caused by metabolic gene defect

  1. Adrenoleukodystrophy Disease
  2. Krabbe Disease

Acute brain injury

  1. Cerebral hypoxia and cerebral palsy
  2. Stroke and ischemia
  3. Spinal cord injury
  4. Traumatic brain injury

Chronic neuroinflammatory diseases

  1. Alzheimer disease and dementia
  2. Multiple sclerosis

Research Programs

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Our Faculty

Contact Us

Division of Developmental Neurogenetics
Darby Children’s Research Institute
173 Ashley Avenue, CRI 509
MSC 515
Charleston, SC 29425
Phone: 843-792-3545
Fax: 843-792-3653