Welcome to the Devilbiss Lab

Neuromodulators including norepinephrine and dopamine alter the ability of neurons to communicate and represent sensation and higher cognitive functions. These cognitive processes, including attention, memory, and sensory signal processing function best at different levels of these neuromodulators. However, too much or too little impair these brain functions. 

The Devilbiss Lab is actively studying the link between damage to the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system and the cognitive sequelae that follows concussion and mild-traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We use a variety of techniques including single neuron and multichannel electrophysiology, computational neuroscience, neuropharmacology, neurochemistry, anatomy, and behavioral techniques to interrogate the regulation of information processing across large networks of neurons in awake and behaving rats. We are also comparing concussion-related changes in these animals models to clinical data collected through industry partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to develop objective measures of brain injury and recovery as well as develop treatment strategies for cognitive impairment following concussion and mTBI.