RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application

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Dr. Patten's research focuses on understanding the neural basis of human movement. The overarching goal of her translational research is to improve the quality of clinical neurorehabilitation through development of effective, efficient, targeted interventions that promote recovery of neuromotor function. Informed by extensive clinical experience as a physical therapist, her research bridges the fields of neurorehabilitation, neuromechanics, and neuroengineering to conduct quantitative, mechanistic investigation with three related objectives: 1) elucidating mechanisms of movement dysfunction with aging and in adult neuropathologies; 2) determining capacity for motor recovery following central nervous system injury; and 3) identifying critical factors that contribute to rehabilitation efficacy. To achieve these goals, the programmatic lines of her research investigate: a) neural mechanisms and biomechanical consequences of CNS pathologies causing motor dysfunction, b) development of biomarkers of motor recovery, and c) novel means to induce neuroplasticity and motor recovery. Dr. Patten's research influences clinical care in neurorehabilitation, thus helps individuals with motor dysfunction resulting from neuropathologies, such as stroke, maximize recovery, restore activity participation, and optimize quality of life. Dr. Patten has studied adults with stroke-related motor dysfunction for over 20 years. She has been the Principal Investigator for four VA-RRD supported clinical trials investigating effects and response to rehabilitation interventions for persons post-stroke [VA RRD B2450R, VA RRD B29792R, VA RRD B3964R, VA RRD B540231]. Results of these studies have been influential for the field and have been incorporated into clinical practice guidelines and recommendations such as the Evidence-based Review of Stroke Rehabilitation. Observation of responders and non-responders to therapeutic intervention —without baseline differences in clinical characteristics— motivated investigation of intrinsic physiological differences among these sub-groups, for which she conducted in cross-sectional studies of chronic stroke survivors (VA RR&D 1I21RX-1435-0]). This work motivated a subsequent VA RR&D Merit Review (I01RX001677), which she currently conducts as PI, to examine plantarflexor corticospinal efficacy as a potential biomarker for walking recovery. Additionally, she is the Site PI for a multi-site study (R01NR015591) tracking biomarkers of stress and genetic variation collected in the acute period following stroke to determine how these may inform heterogeneity in response to rehabilitation. She also collaborates, as a Co-I (1R01AG054621-01) on studies using high-density EEG to understand brain dynamics in elders in response to perturbations during locomotion. Finally, a new study supported by the NSF (M3X, #1935501) will enable deeper understanding of the process of human motor learning, plasticity, and transfer to behavioral, neuromechanical effects. The current application is for renewal of Research Career Scientist support to Dr. Carolynn Patten, a non- clinician Investigator, with over 20 years of uninterrupted research support through the VA Rehabilitation R&D service. Dr. Patten is dual-appointed (5/8 VA) between VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) and University of California, Davis, where she is a Professor (tenured) in the Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (School of Medicine) and Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior (College of Biological Sciences). In July 2018 Dr. Patten transitioned to her current position at UC Davis and VANCHCS from Malcom Randall VA Medical Center (Gainesville, FL) and VA Brain Rehabilitation Research Center (BRRC) where she was dual-appointed between MRVAMC / BRRC (6.6/8 VA) and University of Florida where she held the rank of Professor (tenured) in the Department of Physical Therapy. Dr. Patten was recognized as a University of Florida Research Foundation Professor in 2015 and was inducted as Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association, the profession's highest academic honor, in 2016.