Rodney Ritzel
Assistant Professor
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
McGovern Medical School
Department of Neurology
My translational neuroscience laboratory is actively investigating the neuroimmune interactions underlying CNS aging, acute brain injury, and chronic neurodegeneration. Our research is aimed at identifying mechanisms of brain injury-induced immune senescence, with special emphasis on bidirectional brain-systemic interactions (e.g., the brain-bone marrow axis). We utilize experimental mouse models of TBI and stroke to assess functional outcome, histopathology, gene expression, and functional immunophenotype. Recent work from our group has demonstrated that advanced age and acquired brain injury elicit a shared microglial phenotype associated with cognitive decline and inflammatory neurodegeneration. Understanding how chronically activated microglia promote brain inflammation and progressive neurodegeneration is of critical importance to developing novel delayed treatment strategies for stroke and TBI survivors. Rotating students may explore the role of age, aging, sex, and immunity in regulating brain injury outcomes.
McGovern Medical School Faculty
Education & Training
PhD - University of Connecticut Health Science Center - 2016