Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 19873033 Robinson Hall
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160-7600
Phone: (913) 588-7195
Fax : (913) 588-4568
jradel@kumc.edu
Research
My research addresses neural plasticity and nervous system function, by investigating how the anatomy and functional capacities of the visual system are altered following perturbations during development. A number of techniques are used, including microsurgery, transplantation of neural tissue, a variety of histological procedures at the light microscopic and ultrastructural levels, behavioral and electrophysiological assessments of function, and systems analysis methodology. Goals include 1) evaluating the functional consequences of neural plasticity during development and aging, 2) determining if it is possible to enhance efficiency of retinal function experimentally, 3) study of interactions among transplanted neurons and host neural systems, 4) correlating structural and functional features contributing to optimal efficiency in transplanted and normal retinae, and 5) evaluating how dietary deficiencies of fatty acids during brain development influence information processing at maturity.
A secondary interest is study of factors influencing control of eye movements, particularly those made during daily life tasks (such as reading). Patterns of eye movements may be used to evaluate cognitive processing as it occurs, making this a useful means to investigate the normal aging process or impaired cognition associated with impaired brain or visual function.
Embryonic rodent retinae transplanted to the surface of a newborn rat's brain (A; tp = transplant) will mature to possess the cell types and laminar features of retinae in situ (B), as well as functional connections with visual brain centers. The graph represents changing diameter of a host rat's pupil elicited as an intracranial retinal transplant was illuminated for 3 seconds; response parameters characterize the transplant's functional effectiveness. Infrared video is used to acquire these data; still frames from the video show the pre-stimulus (C; dilated) and post-stimulus (D; constricted) pupil diameter.
Web pages I maintain related to my research: http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/VNL/
Publications
Radel, J.D., D.J. Kustra and R.D. Lund (1995) The pupillary light response: Functional and anatomical interaction among inputs to the pretectum from transplanted retinae and host eyes. Neuroscience, 68:893-907.
Radel, J.D., D.J. Kustra, S. Das, S. Elton and R.D. Lund (1995) The pupillary light response: Assessment of function mediated by intracranial retinal transplants. Neuroscience, 68:909-924.
Lund, R.D., J.D. Radel and P.J. Coffey (1991) The impact of intracerebral retinal transplants on behaviors exhibited by host rats. Trends Neurosci., 14:358-362.
Photo credit: Photo of Jeff Radel, PhD taken by Shari Hartbauer, University Relations.
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The University of Kansas Medical Center