UM’s Helen Bramlett’s early research focused on using temperature management to treat spinal cord injuries and other conditions involving neurotrauma. She is now working with colleagues to develop a nanoparticle drug that targets temperature receptors in the brain to lower body temperature. “This could potentially provide early treatment prior to arrival at the hospital, where intravascular catheters or cooling blankets for therapeutic hypothermia treatments would be used.”

“A nano drug using nasal delivery that could drop systemic temperature would be a game-changer because it could be used in an ambulance, providing early intervention to the patient,” adds Bramlett. She is also investigating the use of whole-body vibration therapy to reduce bone loss in patients with spinal cord injuries, the impact of menopause-induced frailty after traumatic brain injury, and communication between the gut and brain after traumatic brain injury in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

• Helen Bramlett