Robert Plunkett

Robert J. Plunkett
MD

Robert J. Plunkett MD

UBMD Neurosurgery

Specialties

Neurological Surgery; Neurology

Accepting new patients
 

Professional Summary:

I have two major research interests: trophic factors as novel treatments for Parkinson‘s disease and CNS neoplasms. My lab has been characterizing the response to trauma in the caudate nucleus of parkinsonian animals. This work grew out of the observation that tissue grafts for parkinsonism lead to modest behavioral improvement, even when the graft did not survive. We have shown that several trophic factors are present in the caudate of rats after trauma which simulates graft placement. Both brain derived neurotrophic factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor are found in the caudate predictably at intervals after the surgical trauma. Further, there is at least one other, as yet unidentified factor present after trauma in the caudate. We have moved beyond identification to use of BDNF in parkinsonian models. Infusion of BDNF into the dopamine deficient caudate of a hemiparkinsonian rat leads to behavioral improvement and increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining, the rate limiting enzyme for dopamine synthesis. We are currently working on a delivery system to distribute BDNF, or other macromolecules like trophic factors, in the striatum of primates.

The second area of active interest is in two forms of CNS neoplasia: leukemic meningitis and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). We have created an animal model of leukemic meningitis in the athynic (nude) rat, using a human leukemic cell line. In collaboration with Dr. Steve Greenberg, we are working on a gene therapy approach using a white cell specific promoter and the viral thymidine kinase "suicide" enzyme. We are testing the constructs in vitro and in the nude rat model. In addition, we are working withDr. Greenberg to study the biology of GBM by transfecting human GBM cell lines with genes for vascular growth factors. Basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor beta, and endothelin-1 are currently being studied. The behavior of the transfected GBM cell lines are characterized in vitro, and after implantation into the frontal lobe of nude rats. By understanding how the transfected genes affect tumor growth, we hope to devise novel treatment strategies, potentially utilizing gene therapy.

Specialties:

Neurological Surgery, Neurology

Patients Treated:

Adolescents, Adults, Seniors/Elderly

Physician Gender:

Male


Appointments:

UBMD at Buffalo General Medical Center
Kaleida Health - Buffalo General Hospital
100 High Street, B4
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 859-7580
Fax: 859-7594
Contact: Jessica Kryszak
Accepting new patients

Insurance Accepted:
  • Aetna U.S. Healthcare
  • Blue Cross & Blue Shield of WNY Inc
  • Community Blue (HMO)
  • Community Blue Advantage
  • Empire
  • Fidelis
  • Independent Health Association (HMO)
  • Independent Health Medisource
  • Magnacare
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • NYS Medicaid
  • Nofault
  • Preferred Care
  • Railroad Medicare
  • TriCare/Champus
  • Tricare
  • United Healthcare
  • Univera Health Care (HMO)
  • Veterans Administration
  • Workers Comp


Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, National Institutes of Health (1990)
  • Residency, Vanderbilt University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery (1986)
  • Fellowship, Vanderbilt University Hospital, Surgical Research Laboratory (1981)
  • Residency, Vanderbilt University Hospital, Department of Surgery (1980)
  • MD, Indiana University School of Medicine (1978)
  • BA, Indiana University (1974)

Research Profile:

This UBMD physician is also a member of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, teaching the next generation of doctors and researching to advance care in WNY and beyond. Learn more about this physician's research and teaching activities, as well as view credentials, publications, professional involvement and more below.


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