James W. Pennebaker, Chairman | SEA 4.212 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX 78712 | 512-471-1157

Home | About Us | Contact Us | Search UT | Seay Building Info | Alumni

News

Events & Lectures

Faculty

People (Directories)

Areas of Study

Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Program

Graduate Program

Student Resources

Labs & Affiliated
Organizations

Computer Resources

HomePage Server

Related Links

DeAnna L. Adkins, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor

Research, Publications & Vitaes | Faculty Directory | Books by Faculty | Faculty in the News | Area Chairs and Faculty

VITA Email: dladkins@mail.utexas.edu Phone: 475-7763 ARC 3.124 See also Behavioral Neuroscience

DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH IN DR. ADKINS’ LAB

The primary focus of my research is investigating experience-dependent plasticity and how this phenomenon can be used to drive neuronal and behavioral recovery after brain damage, specifically stroke and traumatic brain injury.  Additionally, I am interested in testing the effects of adjunctive therapeutic interventions, such as d-amphetamine or cortical electrical stimulation, when combined with motor or cognitive training on functional recovery from brain injury. 

Currently, I am investigating these broader topics in two main lines of research.  First, I am in the process of developing a rodent model of cognitive neurorehabilitation that will be used to improve memory-related functions and promote neural plasticity following stroke or traumatic brain injury. This project is currently funded by NIH (NIH/NINDS R21 R21NS064423, “Cognitive Neurorehabilitation to Enhance Recovery After Stroke”, PI, 2009-2011).  Secondly, I am examining the efficacy of different therapeutic interventions, including cortical electrical stimulation of the motor cortex, following traumatic brain injury in rodents and examining resulting brain changes.

Selected Publications:

Boychuk J, Adkins DL, Kleim JA. (in press) Distributed versus focal cortical stimulation to enhance motor function and motor map plasticity after stroke. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair,

Jones TA, Allred RP, Adkins DL, Hsu JE, O'Bryant A, Maldonado MA. (2009) Remodeling the brain with behavioral experience after stroke. Stroke, 40(3 Suppl):S136-8.                       

Adkins DL, Schallert T, Goldstein LB. (2009) Post-stroke treatment:  Lost in Translation.  Stroke, 40(1):8-9.

Adkins DL, Hsu JE, Jones TA. (2008).  Motor cortical stimulation promotes synaptic plasticity and behavioral improvements following sensorimotor cortex lesions. Journal of Experimental Neurology, 212(1):14-28.

Kleim JA, Boychuk J, Adkins DL. (2007).  Rat models of upper extremity impairment in stroke. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research Journal, 48(4):374-384. Review.

Adkins DL, Boychuk J, Remple MS, Kleim JA. (2007). Motor training induces experience-specific patterns of plasticity across motor cortex and spinal cord. Journal Applied Physiology, 101(6):1776-1782. Review.

Adkins DL, Campos P, Quach D, Borromeo M, Schallert K, and Jones TA. (2006). Epidural cortical stimulation enhances motor function and increases neuronal density after sensorimotor cortical infarcts in rats.  Experimental Neurology, 200(2):356-370.

Adkins DL and Jones TA. (2005). D-Amphetamine enhances skilled reaching after ischemic cortical lesions in rats.  Neuroscience Letters, 380:214-218.