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Discoveries in bioelectrogenesis, epilepsy, and neurophysiology

The research carried out at the Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer) by the Neurosciences Research Group, under the leadership of Professor Jaderson Costa da Costa, consists of two integrated axes of translational and clinical research. The research focuses on epilepsy, developmental neurology, and clinical neurophysiology; it is also internationally recognized by its peers.

The group’s clinical studies with newborns aim at making new and relevant discoveries about the development of premature babies, bioelectrogenesis, and sleep disorders. The greatest achievement thus far is a groundbreaking study about the bioelectrogenesis and ontogenesis of newborns. The study began in 1980, and by means of polysomnographic examination of premature babies, it unveiled behavioral and physiological data used to evaluate the evolution of newborn brain activity. The clinical monitoring of the newborns was and is still performed at the outpatient service for neonatal monitoring at the São Lucas Hospital (HSL) at PUCRS; the service is supported by full-time Child Neurology, Neonatal, and Neuropsychology teams.

On the other end of the life continuum, the increase in life expectancy in Brazil and in Rio Grande do Sul over the past 20 years has given way to an increase in incidence of, and public concern about, neurodegenerative diseases. With a focus on understanding the neural and clinical bases of these diseases, the group currently seeks to establish a stronger, more fruitful interaction between basic science and clinical research. The spearheads of current projects are research projects on stem cell treatment for the control of neurodegenerative diseases, on new treatments for epilepsy, and on the mechanisms of human memory.

Stem-cell research worldwide has allowed for new treatments for neurological diseases, and for new technologies that generate functional and anatomical images of the brain; these technologies, in turn, have helped to unveil the mechanisms that underpin the functioning of the human brain. In this sense, the group now relies on the cutting edge equipment of the Brain Institute to further its studies. The current research interests include bioelectrogenesis, stem cells and neurodegenerative diseases, sleep disorders during childhood, neuromuscular diseases, neurovascular diseases, experimental epilepsy, and behavioral neurology.