NINDS Lab Web Pages

The NINDS has over 55 research sections, labs, and units some of which are grouped under larger Branches. You can learn more about some of these research groups by visiting the sites linked on this page. A complete list of NINDS intramural investigators is also available. 

Explore specific and cutting-edge NINDS research areas and contact the investigators directly for more information.

Dr. Carsten G. Bönnemann - We focus on early onset neuromuscular disorders of childhood, on their genetic and molecular pathogenesis, the pathways involved, and on developing preclinical translational models to lead to actual clinical trials.
Dr. Carsten Bonnemann
Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Disorders of Childhood Section
Dr. Leonardo G. Cohen - Our lab aims to (1) understand brain mechanisms underlying skill learning in humans; and (2) use this knowledge framework to develop new therapeutic interventions for rehabilitating motor skills in patients following brain injury or disease.
Dr. Leonardo G. Cohen
Human Cortical Physiology and Neurorehabilitation Section
Dr. Lucy Rachel Forrest - We study the function of membrane proteins using analysis, modeling and simulation tools, in close collaboration with experimentalists.
Dr. Lucy R. Forrest
Computational Structural Biology Section
 
Dr. Christopher Grunseich - We are a translational science lab working on developing treatments for patients with inherited forms of neuromuscular disease.
Dr. Christopher Grunseich
Inherited Neuromuscular Diseases Unit
Dr. Yi Gu - We are a Systems Neuroscience lab that primarily uses in vivo optical approaches to investigate the neural basis of spatial cognition in health and disease.
Dr. Yi Gu
Spatial Navigation and Memory Unit
Dr. Ariel Levine - We study the cells and circuits of the spinal cord
Dr. Ariel Levine
Spinal Circuits and Plasticity Unit
​​​​​​​Dr. Wei Lu - We are a highly motivated team aiming to provide a deep understanding how molecules and behaviors interact with each other in the brain.
Dr. Wei Lu
Synapse and Neural Circuit Section
Dr. Amreen Mughal - We are a basic science lab that integrates neuroscience and vascular physiology to understand blood flow regulation in the brain.
Dr. Amreen Mughal
Neurovascular Research Unit 
Dr. Derek Narendra - We use functional genetics to identify mitochondrial drivers of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease and ALS, and translate those findings into targeted therapies.
Dr. Derek Narendra
Inherited Movement Disorders Unit
Dr. John Ngai
Dr. John Ngai
Molecular Neurobiology Section
Dr. Daniel S. Reich - We focus on uncovering the mechanisms in which multiple sclerosis affects the CNS through the power of noninvasive imaging and pathological correlations.
Dr. Daniel S. Reich
Translational Neuroradiology Section
Dr. Antonina Roll-Mecak - We are an interdisciplinary group of scientists focused on understanding how macromolecular machines collectively give rise to complex cytoarchitectures.
Dr. Antonina Roll-Mecak
Cell Biology and Biophysics Section
Dr. Zuhang Sheng - We focus on mechanisms regulating axonal transport that is essential for the maintenance of synaptic function and axonal homeostasis.
Dr. Zu-Hang Sheng
Synaptic Function Section
 
Dr. Kenton J Swartz - We use electrophysiological, structural, and computational approaches to understand how ion channel proteins sense critical biological stimuli, including membrane voltage, chemical messengers, temperature and mechanical forces.
Dr. Kenton J. Swartz
Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Section
Dr. Mark Wagner - We are a systems and circuits neuroscience lab seeking to understand brain computations that help animals learn new skills.
Dr. Mark J. Wagner
Neocortex-cerebellum Circuitry Unit
Dr. Michael E Ward - Our research focuses on the biological abnormalities that underlie inherited neurodegenerative diseases, with a goal of translating new insights into effective therapies for affected patients.
Dr. Michael E. Ward
Inherited Neurodegenerative Diseases Section
Dr. Susan Wray - Our lab focuses on the development and regulation of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, neuroendocrine cells essential for reproduction, in order to unravel the developmental processes that lead to the correct, and incorrect, formation of circuits.
Dr. Susan Wray
Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Section

 

Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging (LFMI)​​​​​​​

Dr. Alan Koretsky - We develop novel functional and molecular imaging techniques to study brain structure and function
Dr. Alan P. Koretsky
Section of Plasticity and Imaging of the Nervous System, LFMI
Headshot of Jozef H. Duyn
Dr. Jozef H. Duyn
Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging, LFMI
 

 

Surgical Neurology Branch (SNB)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Dr. Zareem A. Zaghloul - Our lab exploits the unique investigative opportunities provided by intracranial electrical recordings during neurosurgical procedures.
Dr. Kareem A. Zaghloul
Functional Neurosurgery Section, SNB
 
Dr. Desmond A. Brown - We aims to develop novel therapeutics for Glioblastoma (GBM) – the most common primary malignant CNS.
Dr. Desmond A. Brown
Neurosurgical Oncology Unit, SNB
 
Dr. Prashant Chittiboina - We are a translational science lab that integrates neurosurgery and science to address the morbidity arising from neuroendocrine tumors of the brain and spinal cord.
Dr. Prashant Chittiboina
Neurosurgery Unit for Pituitary and Inheritable Diseases, SNB
​​​​​​​Dr. Sara K. Inati - Our lab seeks to better identify and understand the relationship between seizure foci and networks to advance the treatment of patients with drug resistant focal epilepsy.
Dr. Sara K. Inati
Neurophysiology of Epilepsy Unit, SNB
Dr. Sadhana Jackson - Our lab focuses on understanding the connection between the poor drug entry of chemotherapy to aggressive malignant glioma progression.
Dr. Sadhana Jackson
Developmental Therapeutics and Pharmacology Unit, SNB
Dr. Richard Youle - We focus on discovering the functions and interrelationships among proteins mutated in familial Parkinson’s disease and ALS
Dr. Richard Youle
Biochemistry Section, SNB