Floyd Thompson Floyd Thompson studies fundamental mechanisms that regulate spinal motor systems, how these are altered by brain or spinal cord injury, and how these relate to therapeutic strategies to enhance locomotor recovery. Professor of Neuroscience Investigator, McKnight Brain Institute Training Postdoc - Rockefeller University, New York. Mentor: Hiroshi Asanuma Ph.D. Physiology/Neurophysiology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN B.A. Zoology, Indiana University Contact phone: 352.294.0033 office: MBI L1-120 lab: MBI L1-135 email:thompson@mbi.ufl.edu A problem of particular interest in our laboratory is spasticity following traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. These injuries disrupt portions of the motor pathways that regulate excitability of spinal motor systems. As we learn more about how injuries alter fundamental processes, we can develop and test experimental therapies that incorporate these issues. We are currently evaluating the effectiveness to two modes of activity directed plasticity on locomotor recovery following spinal cord injury. In addition, we are developing a model of traumatic brain injury-induced spasticity to increase our understanding of the neurobiology of this condition. Collectively, these studies utilize neurophysiological, behavioral, anatomical, and immunohistochemical investigations. Research Associates   Prodip Bose , Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor Recent Publications Velocity-dependent ankle torque in rats after contusion injury of the midthoracic spinal cord: time course. Bose P, Parmer R, Thompson FJ. J Neurotrauma. 2002 Oct;19(10):1231-49. Chronic intrathecal baclofen treatment and withdrawal: I. Changes in ankle torque and hind limb posture in normal rats. Wang DC, Bose P, Parmer R, Thompson FJ. J Neurotrauma. 2002 Jul;19(7):875-86. Neurophysiological assessment of the feasibility and safety of neural tissue transplantation in patients with syringomyelia. Thompson FJ, Reier PJ, Uthman B, Mott S, Fessler RG, Behrman A, Trimble M, Anderson DK, Wirth ED 3rd., J Neurotrauma. 2001 Sep;18(9):931-45.