Neuropathology
The Neuropathology Division functions as an integral part of the University of Pittsburgh's Neurosciences & Pathology Programs. The goals of this section are to provide diagnostic support to neurosurgery, neurology, and neuro-oncology clinical services; to maintain a teaching program through daily discussions and specimen review, weekly brain cutting sessions, and interdepartmental conferences; and to participate actively in research projects, independently and in conjunction with other members of neuroscience departments.
A wide spectrum of neurologic diseases and neoplasms represent the tertiary nature of the neuroscience referrals. A major emphasis has been on degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, particularly Alzheimer's disease, and the pathology of patients with psychiatric disorders. Applications of electron microscopy, immunohistology, and other techniques that aid diagnosis are integrated into the residents' experience in neuropathology.
Research Emphasis: The investigations in this Division focus on neurologic damage associated with aging; Alzheimer's disease; neonatal brain development; viral infections of the brain (especially HIV and related animal models); histopathologic and molecular studies of neuromuscular disease; and application of imaging techniques (PET, function MRI). Many of these studies focus on quantitation of neurologic damage and defining pathogenesis at a molecular level.
