My research interests are in the areas of musculoskeletal computer modeling and its applications to human locomotion. I develop and solve large scale dynamic and static optimization problems that arise in the study of human locomotion. These include applications to the control of human bipedal standing and also control of seated postures for…
My research interests are in issues related to not only improving function after stroke but also of economic evaluation of rehabilitative care, and the association of policy and outcomes of rehabilitative care. Getting an intervention that improves the quality of life to the people that most need it requires more than showing a positive effect.…
My research focuses on user interfaces for individual with impaired neuromotor control. My work entails using voluntary actions that are retained after illness or injury as the command input to assistive technology. User actions that can be used as command inputs range from head or limb orientation and posture to the electrical activity of muscles that can still…
Areas of Interest Deep Brain StimulationDystoniaFunctional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)Intrathecal BaclofenMechanisms of Effect of DBSMovement DisordersParkinson’s DiseaseTremors Publications (Select) Entire publication list can be found here. Publications Ajiboye AB, Willett FR, Young DR, Memberg WD, Murphy BA, Miller JP, Walter BL, Sweet JA, Hoyen HA, Keith MW, Peckham PH, Simeral JD, Donoghue JP, Hochberg LR, Kirsch…
My research focuses on the brain’s control of eye movements and vestibular reflexes for vision and balance. A particular focus is the neural control of the vestibular reflexes that respond to linear accelerations (head translations and gravity), the impairment of these reflexes in neurological diseases, and how such deficits affect balance and locomotion. Research Programs…
Treating patients with intractable neuropathic pain is challenging. Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation or electrical nerve block has opened new opportunities for treating selective patient population successfully by improving pain and restoring function. Areas of Interest Neuropathic and intractable pain of somatic and visceral originDevelopment of novel treatments using neuromodulation…
Dr. Vrabec’s research involves direct current block of the peripheral nerve. There are many clinical issues that can benefit from electrical nerve block. New electrode technology was developed to provide direct current nerve block safely, allowing several novel nerve block waveforms to be tested that have the potential to address a wide variety of clinical…
My research interest is in chronic pain management and spasticity control using both implantable and non-invasive electrophysiological methods. Areas of Interest Spinal cord stimulation of dorsal and ventral columns for treatment of chronic painSpinal cord stimulation mechanism of actionNon-invasive peripheral nerve block using transcutaneous direct current stimulation, with the goal of treating acute and chronic…
My research focus has been on investigating the mechanism of action of ECT using animal models, variables effecting outcomes in ECT, and the use of rTMS in depression. My current interest is in the application of non-invasive brain stimulation modalities in depression and other mental illnesses. Publications (Select) Entire publication list can be found here.…
My research interests are in the areas of neural interfacing and neural prostheses. The neural interface is the interface between man and machine. It presents significant challenges in the development of advanced devices to restore function in neurologically impaired patients. Areas of Interest Peripheral nerve electrodes for upper and lower extremity neural prosthesesDevelopment of cortical…