Dr Clarkson’s work focuses on promoting neuroprotection, regeneration and repair mechanisms to improve recovery of function following a stroke.
Even though acute stroke deaths have declined in recent years, as the population ages, the incidence of stroke is increasing resulting in a larger population of disabled stroke patients. The ability of the adult brain to regenerate or recover from acute injury is limited and stroke is now one of the leading causes of long-term disability.
The mechanisms of recovery after stroke have not been well defined. Recent studies show a limited capacity for neural repair after stroke, including re-mapping of cognitive functions and sprouting new connections in tissue adjacent to the stroke. Neurorehabilitation from using repetitive and patterned use of affected limbs linked to the affected brain regions has been shown to promote partial recovery via activity-based re-programming. An understanding of these neural repair mechanisms within the peri-infarct cortex may lead to therapies that promote recovery. Neurorehabiliation uses similar cognitive rules to learning and memory and Dr Clarkson postulates that cellular mechanisms of learning and memory are involved in the underlying processes of recovery following a focal brain injury.
The overall goal of his research program is to identify mechanisms of neural repair after stroke by modulating cortical excitability. Dr Clarkson’s recent studies indicate that just like learning and memory processes, cortical excitability can influence neural repair after stroke. Using novel functional and cortical motor mapping techniques, he will systematically assess the molecular mechanisms associated with learning and memory and how they may support or regulate neural repair and plasticity following focal brain injury. Intensive rehabilitation, drug therapy and, more recently, stem cells are combined to enhance brain repair processes. Post-stroke recovery is assessed through optical imaging and behavioural, electrophysiological, and anatomical measures. His research may produce novel pharmacological tools to help improve neurorehabilitation and recovery.
Read more about Dr Clarkson’s research
Publications
Houlton, J., Zubkova, O., & Clarkson, A. N. (2022). Recovery of post-stroke spatial memory and thalamocortical connectivity following novel glycomimetic and rhBDNF treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, 4817. doi: 10.3390/ijms23094817
Smyth, L. C. D., Murray, H. C., Hill, M., van Leeuwen, E., Highet, B., Magon, N. J., … Mathiesen, S. N., Mockett, B., … Clarkson, A. N., … Abraham, W. C., Hughes, S. M., … Kettle, A. J., … Hampton, M. B. (2022). Neutrophil-vascular interactions drive myeloperoxidase accumulation in the brain in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathologicca Communications, 10, 38. doi: 10.1186/s40478-022-01347-2
O'Sullivan, M. J., Oestreich, L. K. L., Wright, P., & Clarkson, A. N. (2022). Cholinergic and hippocampal systems facilitate cross-domain cognitive recovery after stroke. Brain. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/brain/awac070
Shirazi, R. S., Vyssotski, M., Lagutin, K., Thompson, D., MacDonald, C., Luscombe, V., Glass, M., … Gowing, E. K., … Clarkson, A. N. (2021). Neuroprotective activity of new Δ3-N-acylethanolamines in a focal ischemia stroke model. Lipids. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/lipd.12326
Lamtahri, R., Hazime, M., Gowing, E. K., Nagaraja, R. Y., Maucotel, J., Alasoadura, M., … Clarkson, A. N., … Chuquet, J. (2021). The gliopeptide ODN, a ligand for the benzodiazepine site of GABAA receptors, boosts functional recovery after stroke. Journal of Neuroscience, 41(33), 7148-7159. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.2255-20.2021
Barzegar-Fallah, A., Houlton, J., Barwick, D., Shavandi, A., Ali, M. A., Clarkson, A. N., & Alimoradi, H. (2021). From barriers to bridges: Glycans in naonparenteral nanomedicines. In P. Kesharwani, S. Taurin & K. Greish (Eds.), Theory and applications of nonparenteral nanomedicines. (pp. 467-487). London, UK: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-820466-5.00019-3
Chapter in Book - Research
Lie, M. E. K., Al-Khawaja, A., Damgaard, M., Haugaard, A. S., Schousboe, A., Clarkson, A. N., & Wellendorph, P. (2017). Glial GABA transporters as modulators of inhibitory signalling in epilepsy and stroke. In A. Ortega & A. Schousboe (Eds.), Glial amino acid transporters. (pp. 137-167). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-55769-4_7
Chapter in Book - Research
Clarkson, A. N., & Chebib, M. (2014). The role of peri-synaptic GABA receptors after stroke. In A. C. Errington, V. Crunelli & G. Di Giovanni (Eds.), Extrasynaptic GABAA receptors: The receptors (Vol. 27). (pp. 179-205). New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1426-5_9
Chapter in Book - Research
Clarkson, A. N. (2009). Secondary cardiovascular abnormalities subsequent to cerebral hypoxia-ischaemia. In E. H. Bennington (Ed.), Horizons in world cardiovascular research (Vol. 1). New York: Nova Science.
Chapter in Book - Research
Clarkson, A. N. (2008). Secondary cardiovascular abnormalities subsequent to cerebral hypoxia-ischaemia. In O. M. Roux (Ed.), Brain hypoxia-ischemia research progress. (pp. 19-56). New York: Nova Science.
Chapter in Book - Research
Clarkson, A. N., & Appleton, I. (2007). Cerebral hypoxia-ischemia-induced neuronal and cardiac impairment. In C. Kaur (Ed.), Hypoxia and the central nervous system. (pp. 109-144). Trivandrum, India: Transworld Research Network.
Chapter in Book - Research
Houlton, J., Zubkova, O., & Clarkson, A. N. (2022). Recovery of post-stroke spatial memory and thalamocortical connectivity following novel glycomimetic and rhBDNF treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, 4817. doi: 10.3390/ijms23094817
Journal - Research Article
O'Sullivan, M. J., Oestreich, L. K. L., Wright, P., & Clarkson, A. N. (2022). Cholinergic and hippocampal systems facilitate cross-domain cognitive recovery after stroke. Brain. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/brain/awac070
Journal - Research Article
Smyth, L. C. D., Murray, H. C., Hill, M., van Leeuwen, E., Highet, B., Magon, N. J., … Mathiesen, S. N., Mockett, B., … Clarkson, A. N., … Abraham, W. C., Hughes, S. M., … Kettle, A. J., … Hampton, M. B. (2022). Neutrophil-vascular interactions drive myeloperoxidase accumulation in the brain in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathologicca Communications, 10, 38. doi: 10.1186/s40478-022-01347-2
Journal - Research Article
Houlton, J., Barwick, D., & Clarkson, A. N. (2021). Frontal cortex stroke-induced impairment in spatial working memory on the trial-unique nonmatching-to-location task in mice. Neurobiology of Learning & Memory, 177, 107355. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107355
Journal - Research Article
Jobson, D. D., Hase, Y., Clarkson, A. N., & Kalaria, R. N. (2021). The role of the medial prefrontal cortex in cognition, ageing and dementia. Brain Communications, 3(3), fcab125. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab125
Journal - Research Article
Lamtahri, R., Hazime, M., Gowing, E. K., Nagaraja, R. Y., Maucotel, J., Alasoadura, M., … Clarkson, A. N., … Chuquet, J. (2021). The gliopeptide ODN, a ligand for the benzodiazepine site of GABAA receptors, boosts functional recovery after stroke. Journal of Neuroscience, 41(33), 7148-7159. doi: 10.1523/jneurosci.2255-20.2021
Journal - Research Article
Leurs, U., Klein, A. B., McSpadden, E. D., Griem-Krey, N., Solbaka, S. M. Ø., Houlton, J., … Gowing, E. K., … Clarkson, A. N., & Wellendorph, P. (2021). GHB analogs confer neuroprotection through specific interaction with the CaMKIIα hub domain. PNAS, 118(31), e2108079118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2108079118
Journal - Research Article
McLaughlin, A. W., McDowell, A., Clarkson, A. N., & Walker, G. F. (2021). Characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers electrospun using a sustainable green chemistry with a low toxicity solvent system. International Journal of Polymeric Materials & Polymeric Biomaterials. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/00914037.2021.1933976
Journal - Research Article
Neumann, S., Campbell, K., Woodall, M. J., Evans, M., Clarkson, A. N., & Young, S. L. (2021). Obesity has a systemic effect on immune cells in naïve and cancer-bearing mice. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22, 8803. doi: 10.3390/ijms22168803
Journal - Research Article
Shirazi, R. S., Vyssotski, M., Lagutin, K., Thompson, D., MacDonald, C., Luscombe, V., Glass, M., … Gowing, E. K., … Clarkson, A. N. (2021). Neuroprotective activity of new Δ3-N-acylethanolamines in a focal ischemia stroke model. Lipids. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/lipd.12326
Journal - Research Article
van Nieuwenhuijzen, P. S., Parker, K., Liao, V., Houlton, J., Kim, H.-Y., Johnston, G. A. R., … Clarkson, A. N. (2021). Targeting GABAC receptors improves post‐stroke motor recovery. Brain Sciences, 11(3), 315. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11030315
Journal - Research Article
Atienza-Roca, P., Kieser, D., Cui, X., Bathish, B., Ramaswamy, Y., Hooper, G. J., Clarkson, A. N., … Wise, L. M., Woodfield, T. B. F., & Lim, K. S. (2020). Visible light mediated PVA-tyramine hydrogels for covalent incorporation and tailorable release of functional growth factors. Biomaterials Science, 8(18), 5005-5019. doi: 10.1039/D0BM00603C
Journal - Research Article
Boni, R., Ali, A., Giteru, S. G., Shavandi, A., & Clarkson, A. N. (2020). Silk fibroin nanoscaffolds for neural tissue engineering. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 31, 81. doi: 10.1007/s10856-020-06422-5
Journal - Research Article
Cirillo, J., Mooney, R. A., Ackerley, S. J., Barber, P. A., Borges, V. M., Clarkson, A. N., … Byblow, W. D. (2020). Neurochemical balance and inhibition at the subacute stage after stroke. Journal of Neurophysiology, 123, 1775-1790. doi: 10.1152/jn.00561.2019
Journal - Research Article
McFall, A., Hietamies, T. M., Bernard, A., Aimable, M., Allan, S. M., Bath, P. M., … Clarkson, A. N., … Quinn, T. J. (2020). UK consensus on pre-clinical vascular cognitive impairment functional outcomes assessment: Questionnaire and workshop proceedings. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 47(7), 1402-1414. doi: 10.1177/0271678X20910552
Journal - Research Article
Soo, J. Y., Wiese, M. D., Dyson, R. M., Gray, C. L., Clarkson, A. N., Morrison, J. L., & Berry, M. J. (2020). Methamphetamine administration increases hepatic CYP1A2 but not CYP3A activity in female guinea pigs. PLoS ONE, 15(5), e0233010. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233010
Journal - Research Article
Clarkson, A. N., Boothman-Burrell, L., Dósa, Z., Nagaraja, R. Y., Jin, L., Parker, K., … Neumann, S., Gowing, E. K., … Chebib, M. (2019). The flavonoid, 2'-methoxy-6-methylflavone, affords neuroprotection following focal cerebral ischaemia. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 39(7), 1266-1282. doi: 10.1177/0271678x18755628
Journal - Research Article
Hillman, K. L., Wall, H. J., Matthews, L. O., Gowing, E. K., & Clarkson, A. N. (2019). Altered hippocampal-prefrontal dynamics following medial prefrontal stroke in mouse. NeuroMolecular Medicine, 21, 401-413. doi: 10.1007/s12017-019-08557-3
Journal - Research Article
Houlton, J., Abumaria, N., Hinkley, S. F. R., & Clarkson, A. N. (2019). Therapeutic potential of neurotrophins for repair after brain injury: A helping hand from biomaterials. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13, 790. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00790
Journal - Research Article
Houlton, J., Zhou, L. Y. Y., Barwick, D., Gowing, E. K., & Clarkson, A. N. (2019). Stroke induces a BDNF-dependent improvement in cognitive flexibility in aged mice. Neural Plasticity, 2019, 1460890. doi: 10.1155/2019/1460890
Journal - Research Article
Lie, M. E. K., Gowing, E. K., Johansen, N. B., Dalby, N. O., Thiesen, L., Wellendorph, P., & Clarkson, A. N. (2019). GAT3 selective substrate L-isoserine upregulates GAT3 expression and increases functional recovery after a focal ischemic stroke in mice. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 39(1), 74-88. doi: 10.1177/0271678x17744123
Journal - Research Article
Neumann, S., Boothman-Burrell, L., Gowing, E. K., Jacobsen, T. A., Ahring, P. K., Young, S. L., … Clarkson, A. N. (2019). The delta-subunit selective GABAA receptor modulator, DS2, improves stroke recovery via an anti-inflammatory mechanism. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13, 1133. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01133
Journal - Research Article
Allan, P. D., Tzeng, Y.-C., Gowing, E. K., Clarkson, A. N., & Fan, J.-L. (2018). Dietary nitrate supplementation reduces low frequency blood pressure fluctuations in rats following distal middle cerebral artery occlusion. Journal of Applied Physiology, 125(3), 862-869. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01081.2017
Journal - Research Article
Evans, M. A., Ah Kim, H., Hann Ling, Y., Uong, S., Vinh, A., De Silva, T. M., … Clarkson, A. N., … Sobey, C. G. (2018). Vitamin D3 supplementation reduces subsequent brain injury and inflammation associated with ischemic stroke. NeuroMolecular Medicine, 20(1), 147-159. doi: 10.1007/s12017-018-8484-z
Journal - Research Article
Evans, M. A., Kim, H. A., De Silva, T. M., Arumugam, T. V., Clarkson, A. N., Drummond, G. R., … Sobey, C. G. (2018). Diet-induced vitamin D deficiency has no effect on acute post-stroke outcomes in young male mice. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 38(11), 1968-1978. doi: 10.1177/0271678x17719208
Journal - Research Article
Evans, M. A., Lim, R., Kim, H. A., Chu, H. X., Gardiner-Mann, C. V., Taylor, K. W. E., … Neumann, S., … Gowing, E. K., … Clarkson, A. N., … Broughton, B. R. S. (2018). Acute or delayed systemic administration of human amnion epithelial cells improves outcomes in experimental stroke. Stroke, 49(3), 700-709. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.117.019136
Journal - Research Article
Johnston, M., Clarkson, A. N., Gowing, E. K., Scarf, D., & Colombo, M. (2018). The effects of nidopallium caudolaterale inactivation on serial-order behaviour in pigeons (Columba livia). Journal of Neurophysiology, 120(3), 1143-1152. doi: 10.1152/jn.00167.2018
Journal - Research Article
Kluge, M. G., Jones, K., Ong, L. K., Gowing, E. K., Nilsson, M., Clarkson, A. N., & Walker, F. R. (2018). Age-dependent disturbances of neuronal and glial protein expression profiles in areas of secondary neurodegeneration post-stroke. Neuroscience, 393, 185-195. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.07.034
Journal - Research Article
Lie, M. E. K., Gowing, E. K., Clausen, R. P., Wellendorph, P., & Clarkson, A. N. (2018). Inhibition of GABA transporters fails to afford significant protection following focal cerebral ischemia. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 38(1), 166-173. doi: 10.1177/0271678x17743669
Journal - Research Article
Parker, K., Berretta, A., Saenger, S., Sivaramakrishnan, M., Shirley, S. A., Metzger, F., & Clarkson, A. N. (2017). PEGylated insulin-like growth factor-I affords protection and facilitates recovery of lost functions post-focal ischemia. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 241. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-00336-z
Journal - Research Article
Smith, G. P. S., McLaughlin, A., Clarkson, A. N., Gordon, K. C., & Walker, G. F. (2017). Raman microscopic imaging of electrospun fibers made from a polycaprolactone and polyethylene oxide blend. Vibrational Spectroscopy, 92, 27-34. doi: 10.1016/j.vibspec.2017.05.002
Journal - Research Article
Yarragudi, S. B., Richter, R., Lee, H., Walker, G. F., Clarkson, A. N., Kumar, H., & Rizwan, S. B. (2017). Formulation of olfactory-targeted microparticles with tamarind seed polysaccharide to improve nose-to-brain transport of drugs. Carbohydrate Polymers, 163, 216-226. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.01.044
Journal - Research Article
Berretta, A., Gowing, E. K., Jasoni, C. L., & Clarkson, A. N. (2016). Sonic hedgehog stimulates neurite outgrowth in a mechanical stretch model of reactive-astrogliosis. Scientific Reports, 6, 21896. doi: 10.1038/srep21896
Journal - Research Article
Che Has, A. T., Absalom, N., van Nieuwenhuijzen, P. S., Clarkson, A. N., Ahring, P. K., & Chebib, M. (2016). Zolpidem is a potent stoichiometry-selective modulator of α1β3 GABAA receptors: Evidence of a novel benzodiazepine site in the α1-α1 interface. Scientific Reports, 6, 28674. doi: 10.1038/srep28674
Journal - Research Article
Younus, M., Prentice, R. N., Clarkson, A. N., Boyd, B. J., & Rizwan, S. B. (2016). Incorporation of an endogenous neuromodulatory lipid, oleoylethanolamide, into cubosomes: Nanostructural characterization. Langmuir, 32(35), 8942-8950. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b02395
Journal - Research Article
Zhou, L. Y. Y., Wright, T. E., & Clarkson, A. N. (2016). Prefrontal cortex stroke induces delayed impairment in spatial memory. Behavioural Brain Research, 296, 373-378. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.08.022
Journal - Research Article
Clarkson, A. N., Parker, K., Nilsson, M., Walker, F. R., & Gowing, E. K. (2015). Combined ampakine and BDNF treatments enhance poststroke functional recovery in aged mice via AKT-CREB signaling. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 35, 1272-1279. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2015.33
Journal - Research Article
Jones, K. A., Zouikr, I., Patience, M., Clarkson, A. N., Isgaard, J., Johnson, S. J., … Walker, F. R. (2015). Chronic stress exacerbates neuronal loss associated with secondary neurodegeneration and suppresses microglial-like cells following focal motor cortex ischemia in the mouse. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity, 48, 57-67. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.02.014
Journal - Research Article
Neumann, S., Shields, N. J., Balle, T., Chebib, M., & Clarkson, A. N. (2015). Innate immunity and inflammation post-stroke: An α7-nicotinic agonist perspective. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(12), 29029-29046. doi: 10.3390/ijms161226141
Journal - Research Article
Patience, M. J., Zouikr, I., Jones, K., Clarkson, A. N., Isgaard, J., Johnson, S. J., … Nilsson, M. (2015). Photothrombotic stroke induces persistent ipsilateral and contralateral astrogliosis in key cognitive control nuclei. Neurochemical Research, 40(2), 362-371. doi: 10.1007/s11064-014-1487-8
Journal - Research Article
Van Slooten, A. R., Sun, Y., Clarkson, A. N., & Connor, B. J. (2015). L-NIO as a novel mechanism for inducing focal cerebral ischemia in the adult rat brain. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 245, 44-57. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.02.022
Journal - Research Article
López-Valdés, H. E., Clarkson, A. N., Ao, Y., Charles, A. C., Carmichael, S. T., Sofroniew, M. V., & Brennan, K. C. (2014). Memantine enhances recovery from stroke. Stroke, 45, 2093-2100. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.113.004476
Journal - Research Article
Bix, G. J., Gowing, E. K., & Clarkson, A. N. (2013). Perlecan domain V is neuroprotective and affords functional improvement in a photothrombotic stroke model in young and aged mice. Translational Stroke Research, 4, 515-523. doi: 10.1007/s12975-013-0266-1
Journal - Research Article
Clarkson, A. N., López-Valdés, H. E., Overman, J. J., Charles, A. C., Brennan, K. C., & Carmichael, S. T. (2013). Multimodal examination of structural and functional remapping in the mouse photothrombotic stroke model. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 33, 716-723. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2013.7
Journal - Research Article