Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.

FACULTY

Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.

Director, Neuroscience Center of Excellence
Boyd Professor
Ernest C. and Yvette C. Villere Chair for the Study of Retinal Degeneration

Ophthalmology

Office:

2020 Gravier Street, Suite D
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 599-0831/32
Fax: (504) 568-5801

 

About

Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D., has been called “a true renaissance man”: research scientist, teacher, mentor, community leader, author, screenplay co-writer/executive movie producer, patron of the arts, and entrepreneur. Born in Los Sarmientos, Tucuman, Argentina, Dr. Nicolas Bazan’s defining moment was witnessing an aunt suffer a seizure while walking him to a piano lesson when he was a young boy, putting him on the path to becoming a medical doctor and one of the world’s premier neuroscientists.

He is the founding Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at the School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans. He is also the inaugural founder of The Ernest C. and Yvette C. Villere Chair for Research in Retinal Degeneration (1984-present) and has been appointed to the highest academic rank in the LSU System, a Boyd Professor (1994-present). He is also a Foreign Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

He devoted his life to studying fundamental cellular and molecular lipid signaling taking place in early stages of neurodegenerations and other brain and retinal dysfunctions. He has discovered cellular and molecular principles that reveal novel pro-homeostatic mediators as well as their relevance in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, in experimental stroke, experimental epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Bazan received his medical degree from the University of Tucuman in Argentina. Afterward, he trained at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York and Harvard Medical School. Then he was appointed faculty at age 26 at the University of Toronto, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry. He then founded a research institute, a new Biology academic unit, and doctorate and Masters’ of Science graduate programs in Biochemistry in Argentina, and in 1981, Dr. Bazan move to New Orleans.

In his first laboratory at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Bazan discovered that brain ischemia (like in stroke), seizures (like in epilepsy) or electroconvulsive shock (a therapy for depression) trigger the rapid release of unesterified essential fatty acids (docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids) from membranes through phospholipase A2. Soon after, his lab extended these seminal observations to the retina, vision and retinal degenerative diseases. These findings became a citation classic ("Neural Stimulation or Onset of Cerebral Ischemia Activates Phospholipase A2", Bazan NG, Current Contents/Life Sciences, 30:10, 1991). Based upon this early work, he then discovered that release of the mediator, platelet-activating factor (PAF), is a major signaling event of inflammatory responses in the eye and brain, and he identified PAF binding sites in synaptic and intracellular membranes. 

He then uncovered that DHA supply to the photoreceptors and synapses is liver-regulated and that in photoreceptor cell renewal, retinal pigment epithelium recycling retains DHA within photoreceptors by a “short loop” (RPE-to-photoreceptors) after the “long loop” (liver-to-retina). He found that Usher’s Syndrome patients from Cajun families from Louisiana have DHA shortage in the blood, implicating the long loop in retinal degenerations. He discovered the enzyme-mediated formation of DHA derivatives in the retina and coined the term docosanoids. He and his colleagues, in collaboration with Dr. Charles N. Serhan (Harvard Medical School), then discovered the synthesis and bioactivity of the first docosanoid, Neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), which arrests apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells at the pre-mitochondrial level, and is neuroprotective in brain ischemia-reperfusion and in cellular models of Alzheimer’s disease. Then he and his colleagues found a decrease in DHA-derived NPD1 in the CA1 area of Alzheimer’s disease patients, and that NPD1 promotes down-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes and of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins and neuronal and glial cell survival from Aβ toxicity. He discovered novel mediators that counteract early events in Alzheimer’s, stroke, and other diseases as well a novel painkiller. Currently, he is beginning to apply his discoveries by translating them into intellectual property (patents) in two startup companies that he co-founded: NeuResto Therapeutics, LLC (novel discoveries for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, retinal degenerations, stroke, and other brain and retina diseases) and South Rampart Pharma, LLC (novel non-addictive painkiller).

Among Dr. Bazan’s awards and recognitions are the Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (1989); elected to the Royal Academy of Medicine, Spain (1996); elected fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin (1999);  President, American Society for Neurochemistry (1999-2001);  Doctor Honoris Causa, Universidad de Tucuman, Argentina (1999);  Endre A. Balazs Prize, International Society of Eye Research (2000); the Proctor Medal, the highest honor awarded by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) (2007); the Alkmeon International Prize (2011); the Chevreul Medal, Paris, France (2011); the Excellence Award, Annual European Association for Vision and Eye Research, Nice, France (2013); and the Mossakowski Medal, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland (2013), 2018 Award of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (Bonn, Germany).

For his contributions to creating a culture that inspires novel ideas and opens a path for translating concepts into reality—from the lab, to the clinic, to the community—he received many recognitions, which include: Role Model, Young Leadership Council of New Orleans; The Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Orleans Award; Family Services of Greater New Orleans (Ten Outstanding Persons) Award; and induction into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame of New Orleans.

He is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Neurobiology (Springer), a Founding Senate Member of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) -- a nationwide research program on Alzheimer’s disease in Germany -- Member of the Biology of the Visual System Study Section, NIH, and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Governors for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Foundation.

His civic and artistic community involvement includes being a patron of the New Orleans Opera, and authoring “Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind” (produced as the feature film “Of Mind and Music”) as well as “The Dark Madonna: A Fable of Resiliency and Imagination”—novels exploring his lifelong intellectual quest and exploration of a better understanding of the deep beauty and complexity of the human experience.

Thus, in summary, he has devoted his life to studying fundamental cellular and molecular neuroinflammatory lipid signaling in early stages of neurodegenerations and other brain and retinal dysfunctions. He has discovered cellular and molecular principles that reveal novel pro-homeostatic mediators relevant to counteract onset/early stages and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. These novel mechanisms and mediators are relevant to Alzheimer’s disease, in experimental stroke, experimental epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and age-related macular degeneration. His original research is reflected in >450 peer-reviewed publications (per PubMed), plus monographs, books and chapters. h-index=95 (per Google Scholar as of June 6, 2019) and >34,000 citations to his work (per Google Scholar).

Currently, he is beginning to apply his discoveries (patents exclusively licensed from the University in two startup companies that he co-founded). They are NeuResto Therapeutics, LLC (novel discoveries for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, retinal degenerations, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other brain and retina diseases; http://www.neuresto.com/) and South Rampart Pharma, LLC (novel non-addictive, non-toxic painkiller; https://www.southrampartpharma.com/)

Dr. Nicolas Bazan is married to Dr. Haydee Bazan, and they have five children: Patricia, Andrea, Nicolas, Hernan, and Maria. The children have given him and his wife fourteen grandchildren.

Bio

Study Sections:

  • Member, National Institute of Health, Biology and Disease of the Posterior Eye Study Section, Center for Scientific Review, Bethesda, MD, July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2014
  • Reviewer, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 2007
  • Reviewer, National Institutes of Health, Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group 2007-05, ZRG1, MDCN-B, Mitochondrial and Cerebral Ischemia, Center for Scientific Review, Bethesda, MD, 2007
  • Reviewer, US Amy Medical Research and Material Command (USAMRMC), American Institute of Biological Sciences, Scientific Peer Advisory and Review Services, Reston, VA, 2007
  • Reviewer, Alzheimer’s Association Grant Reviews, Chicago, IL, 2007, 2010
  • Reviewer, Molecular and Integrative Signal Transduction (MIST) Study Section, Bethesda, MD, 2007
  • Reviewer, National Center for Research Resources, Institutional Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) Center Special Emphasis Review Panel, 2008
  • Reviewer, National Institute of Health, Biophysical and Physiological Neuroscience ZRG1 F03B (2), Washington, DC, 2009
  • Reviewer, National Institute of Health, Center for Scientific Review, Special Emphasis Panel, Challenge Grant ZRG1 CBN 58, 2009
  • National Institute of Health, S10 Shared Instrumentation and Microscopy Review, Center for Scientific Review, Chicago, IL, November 12-13, 2009
  • National Institute of Health, Center for Scientific Review, Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Integrated Review Group, Clinical Neuroplasticity and Neurotransmitters Study Section (CNNT), San Francisco, CA, February 11-12, 2010

Awards/Recognitions/Lectures:

  • McGill University's Mark Nickerson Memorial Lecture. “Brain homeostasis resiliency at the onset of damage and neurodegenerative diseases”. May 9, 2019. Link: https://www.mcgill.ca/pharma/seminarsnews/seminar-events.
  • DZNE Award Lecture
  • LSU professor gets medal for teaching.  Bazan awarded Gradle Medal/Baton Rouge Advocate, February 21, 2016
  • Bazan Awarded International Gradle Medal by Health Journal of New Orleans, 2010.
  • 2016 Gradle Medal for Teaching by the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology. - Baton Rouge Advocate, February 21, 2016.
  • ANA Onsite Program Addendum October 15, 2013
    The Art of Science
    The Constellation of Events at the Onset of Dementia: An Artistic Perspective
    Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind
  • The Medal Professor Miroslaw M. Mossakowski Award to Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D. October 2013 in Warsaw, Poland
  • Dr. Nicolas Bazan honored at ISN and ASN conference in Cancun, Mexico held April 17-19, 2013
  • Research to Prevent Blindness, Incorporated, NY
  • International Research Scholar, Research to Prevent Blindness, Incorporated, NY, 1977
  • William & Mary Greve International Scholar, 1983-84
  • Elected to Council ISN, 1979‑83
  • Elected to Council ASN, 1988‑90
  • Gold Medal, Fondazione Giovanni Lorenzini, Milan, Italy, 1981
  • Honorary Professor, Universidad de Tucuman, Argentina, 1987‑
  • Javits Neuroscience Award NINDS, 1989‑1996
  • Citation Classic, Current Content/ Life Sciences 30:10(July 29), 1991
  • Elected Member, Academy of Medical Sciences, Cordoba, Argentina, 1991-
  • Merck Lecture in Pharmacology, McGill University, Canada, 1992
  • Elected Member, Royal Academy of Sciences, Spain, 1993, 1996
  • 11th William Harvey Lecture, London, 1994
  • Role Model Awardee, Young Leadership Council of New Orleans, 1994
  • Caputto Gold Medal, Argentine Neurochemical Society, 1994
  • Boyd Professor, Louisiana State University Medical Center, 1994
  • Welcome Professorship and Lecture (Burroughs Welcome Fund/FASEB) at University of North Carolina, 1996
  • Merit Award, Distinguished Argentine Abroad, National Research Council of Argentina, Presented by the President of Argentina, 1996
  • Annual John Dorsey Lecture, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 1996
  • Guest of Honor, Inaugural Symposium, Frontiers in Neuroscience, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Sweden, 1996
  • William H. Bell Lectureship, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, 1997
  • Robert Schwab Lecturer, 13th Ann. American Academy of Clinical Neurophysiology, 1998
  • Mayerson-Di Luzio Lecture, Tulane University School of Medicine, Dept. Physiology, 1998
  • Loris & David Rich Lecture in Visual Science, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 1999
  • President, American Society for Neurochemistry, 1999-2001
  • Elected Fellow, Medical Society of Ireland, The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, 1999-
  • Doctor Honoris Causa, Universidad de Nacional de Tucuman, Argentina, 1999
  • Endre A. Balazs Prize, International Society of Eye Research, 2000
  • Citybusiness 2002 Innovator of the Year Award New Orleans, LA, 2002
  • The Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Orleans Chapter Award, NOLA, 2002
  • Career Service Awards, 20 years, LSUHSC, NOLA, 2003
  • Family Services of Greater New Orleans (Ten Outstanding Persons) Award, 2003
  • First Leon S. Wolfe Lecture, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Canada, 2003
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Proctor Medal and Lecture (highest honor of this Association), 2007
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Fellow, 2009
  • Chevreul Medal, Paris, France, 2011
  • Translational Research Initiative in Ophthalmology (TRIO) 2012 Program PDF
  • 2nd Annual Gladstone/DZNE Workshop 2012 Program PDF
  • GOED Exchange 2012 Program PDF

    2012 9:04:22 AM


 Editorial Boards (selected)

  • Journal of Neurochemistry, 1981‑1989
  • Journal of Lipid Mediators, 1988‑1993
  • Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, 1988‑1996
  • Molecular Neurobiology (Editor-in-Chief and Founder), 1987‑
  • Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, 1989‑1990
  • Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 1990‑2001
  • Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 1993-1999
  • Receptors and Signal Transduction, 1996-1998
  • Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1997-2002
  • Proc Soc Exp Biol & Med, 2000-2004
  • Current Neurovascular Research, 2004-
  • Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology, 3rd Edition, At Large Editor, 2005-
  • Cell Death & Differentiation (Nature journal), 2007-
  • Journal of Neurodegeneration and Regeneration, 2008-
  • Cell Death & Disease (Nature journal), 2010-

Education

1965: M.D. - Medical School, U. Tucuman, Argentina

1966-1968: Research Thesis Work - Harvard Medical School (1970: Ph.D. - Medical School, U. Tucuman, Argentina)

Academic Appointments

1968-1970: Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Canada, and Assistant Director, Neurochemistry, Clarke Institute of Psychology

1970-1981: Professor of Biological Chemistry and Director, Institute of Biochemistry. Investigator, U. Nac. del Sur CONICET, Argentina

1981: Professor of Ophthalmology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Neurology, LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans

1988-present: Director, LSU Neuroscience Center of Excellence, New Orleans

News

LSU Health professor recognized for work on unique treatment for neurodegenerative diseases

Four tips to reduce your chances of Alzheimer's | WWLTV | October 12, 2022

LSU Health Contributes to Research Suggesting Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration Mechanism & Potential RX

The Distinguished Lecture Series Presents: “Uncovering rules of photoreceptors long life,” Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.; Thursday, April 1st, 2021: 4:00PM - 5:00PM

Unraveling Neurodegenerative Diseases with Jess

Could diet ward off some brain diseases?

Bazan One of Few Appointed Foreign Adjunct Professor at Prestigious Karolinska Institutet

LSU Health New Orleans Discovers Drug Development Target for Retinal Dystrophies

Dr. Nicolas Bazan - WWLTV Can music re-stimulate activity to the brain? Nov 10,2020

NIH STTR Grant to FAst Track New Class of Pain Reliever Without Addiction or Toxicity 

Study finds novel mechanism that may confer protection : www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/lsuh-sfn "I began developing my interests in neuroprotection and ophthalmology working under NicolasBazan, who mentored, motivated and guided me, as a medical school student from Denmark supported by a..."

Dr. Nicolas Bazan - News, Articles, Whitepapers - Drug Target ...www.drugtargetreview.com/people/dr-nicolas-bazan Jul 07, 2020 · News stories, articles and whitepapers referencing Dr. Nicolas Bazan on Drug Target Review Recommended [LIVE WEBINAR] register now 10 September 15:00 BST on mobile phase optimization for oligonucleotide analytical methods by LC-MS

Study finds novel mechanism that may confer protection ... medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-mechanism-confer...Sep 17, 2020 · "I began developing my interests in neuroprotection and ophthalmology working under Nicolas Bazan, who mentored, motivated and guided me, as a medical school student from Denmark supported by a ...

Novel mechanism may confer protection against glaucoma...www.thinkingport.com/2020/09/20/news-1100281 day ago · “I began developing my interests in neuroprotection and ophthalmology working under Nicolas Bazan, who mentored, motivated and guided me, as a medical school student from Denmark supported by a Fulbright Scholarship (1994-1996), and from 2000-2003,” says Dr. Kolko.” I was lucky to work with and be inspired by Dr. Nicolas Bazan

Key to dialogue between brain cells to protect against stroke
Dr. Nicolas G. Bazan and Dr. Ludmila Belayev
Date: August 6, 2020
Source: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Summary: LSU Health New Orleans research has unlocked a key fundamental mechanism in the communication between brain cells when confronted with stroke and found DHA not only protected neuronal cells and promoted their survival, but also helped maintain their integrity and stability.

Researchers identify potential treatment

Dr. Bazan at FACS, 2019

Preview: Bazan NG, Gordon WC. Learning from the Fly Photoreceptor on How Synapses Integrate Gene Expression to Sustain Retina and Brain Function.Neuron, 2019; 101(4):548–550. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.004. 

Award: McGill University's Mark Nickerson Memorial Lecture. “Brain homeostasis resiliency at the onset of damage and neurodegenerative diseases”. May 9, 2019. Link: https://www.mcgill.ca/pharma/seminarsnews/seminar-events.

Research Article: Bazan NG. Docosanoids and elovanoids from omega-3 fatty acids are pro-homeostatic modulators of inflammatory responses, cell damage and neuroprotection.Molecular Aspects of Medicine, 2018; 64:18–33. DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2018.09.003.

New Orleans Area Business Honors in The Advocate

People This Week: New hires, promotions, and awards featured in New Orleans City Business

DZNE Award Lecture

New Rx for allergic contact dermatitis

Research Article: William C. Gordon, Virginia García López, Surjyadipta Bhattacharjee, David Rodríguez Gil, Javier Alcover Díaz, Fernando Pineda de la Losa, Ricardo Palacios Peláez, Concha Tiana Ferrer, Gabriela Silvina Bacchini, Bokkyoo Jun, Hélène Varoqui, Nicolas G. Bazan. A Nonsteroidal Novel Formulation Targeting Inflammatory and Pruritus-Related Mediators Modulates Experimental Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Dermatology and Therapy, 2018; 8 (1): 111 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-018-0223-8

Newly Discovered Elovanoids Called a “Transformative New Concept of Biology”

Affiliated Professor at the Karolinska Institute

Lipid Corner: lipid research division of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 

Inflammatory transcription confronts homeostatic disruptions

Newly discovered elovanoids called a 'transformative new concept of biology'

LSU Research Shows Value of Fish Oil
 

NB lipids conf with award 2016 web

Dr. Nicolas Bazan with Dr. Edward Dennis
and Nobel Laureate Dr. Bengt Samuelsson
Dr. Nicolas Bazan organized and chaired an international conference on the significance of lipid signaling in biology and medicine in La Jolla, California, May  18-19, 2016, to honor Dr. Edward Dennis.  Dr. Bazan brought together, in a memorable meeting, all the leadership in lipid mediators, from basic research to translational studies.  In this photo, Dr. Bazan is being awarded a sculpture of Neuroprotectin D1 from Dr. Dennis and Dr. Bengt Samuelsson from the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, Honorary Co-Chair of the conference. The sculpture was made by Byron Rubin, a famous molecular sculpture maker, who has several of his pieces in the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, and in many other prominent places.

Dr. Bazan in Research Features Magazine; December 13, 2016
Connections: the importance of mentoring and collaboration to research success and
A marvelous mind

NB and lady in orange arvo 2016 for web
Dr. Bazan and Dr. Cheryl M. Craft at ARVO 2016


NB with Fisher and Friedman nobel laureates March 2016
Nobel Laureates Dr. Edmond Fisher and Dr. Jerome Friedman with Dr. Bazan
during their visit to the Neuroscience Center of Excellence in March of 2016

Dr. Bazan speaks with Dottie Carson, an Alzheimer's Disease patient

12th Annual Aging Research Day and Screening of Mind and Music 
Dr. Bazan featured speaker at MUSC Aging Research Day    
February 25 and 26, 2016 

Nicolas Bazan Keynote Lecture
Save the Date: 2015 McGinty Conference
Nov. 3, 2015, Oregon Convention Center
Oregon, USA

Conference Chair: LIPID MEDIATORS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE II: From The Cutting Edge and 7TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 and LIPID MEDIATORS: From Bench To Translational Medicine
La Jolla, California, May 19-20, 2016

Nicolas Bazan invited speaker
Lipidomics Gateway, May 12-13, 2015,  La Jolla, CA 

Targeting Neuroprotection in Epilepsy by a Docosanoid
Dr. Bazan featured on Research to Prevent Blindness Facebook page

New Orleans Biodistrict Newsletter; featuring Dr. Nicolas G. Bazan on page 3

 

Links to Interviews:

LSU researchers are seeking to end Alzheimer’s disease and start a new neurobiotech  industry in Louisiana

WWLTV and LSU Neuroscience Center of Excellence: Breakthrough for epilepsy, seizures

Focus on neuroscience could lead to treatments, economic development for New Orleans: Nicolas Bazan

Could Charity Hospital become a world brain health center ...
Dr. Nicolas G. Bazan interviewed on the repurpose of Charity Hospital in New Orleans as an integrated brain research and treatment center

2013 3:39:55 PM

What is new with the brain and docosanoids? - Prof. Nicolas Bazan

Hippocampal Neuro-Networks and Dendritic Spine Perturbations in Epileptogenesis
Are Attenuated by Neuroprotectin D1
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0116543

LSU Health New Orleans: Novel compound switches off epilepsy development
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150128113830.htm

LSU Health New Orleans research finds novel compound switches off epilepsy development
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-01/lsuh-lhn012815.php#.VMmbG8hOirE.mailto

Top Addiction Specialist Raises Awareness
Link to article

2013 2:46:30 PM
Dr. Hamilton Farris, Mette Flatt, Dr. William Gordon, Dr. Jennifer Lentz,
and Dr. Nicolas Bazan (the research team)
Local medical research team makes breakthrough in curing deafness
link to page Meg Farris, WWWLTV.com, February, 4 2013.

Balanced Body and Brain: A FOX 8 special report
Link to interview

Researchers in Town to Share Discoveries on Brain Injuries SFN Convention 2012
Link to interview with Dr. Bazan and other Neuroscientists  WWL-TV

Study: Smoking during pregnancy could lead to child's weight, drug issues
Fish Oil/WWL-TV

The Arts of Neuroscientists: Nicolas Bazan - Dana Foundation
The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, a nonprofit organization of more than 300 leading neuroscientists, works to advance public awareness about the progress ...www.dana.org/news/features/detail.aspx?id=39684

New Study Backs Up Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements Meg Farris/WWL-TV 091212 
http://www.wwltv.com/news/health/New-study-backs-up-benefits-of-fish-oil-supplements-169549976.html

DHA: A Sentinel for Neuroprotection and Brain Repair
Global Organization for EPA and DHA (GOED) Exchange June 8, 2012
Early History of Omega-3 Research, Boston, Massachusetts

Protect your vision by altering your diet: Molly Kimball, The Times Picayune, 031612
http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2012/03/protect_your_vision_by_alterin.html

Dr. Isabel Univision National Radio Show – 2/29/12-
Listen by clicking here: http://www.miunicast.com/Public/Media/DraIsabel-2012.02.29.mp3

Turn On Your Inner Light Radio Show – 2/21/12- Listen by clicking here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn8eYfYTFdY

Steve Gleason's plight focuses attention on ALS – 092611
http://www.wwltv.com/news/health/Gleasons-plight-focuses-attention-on-ALS-130601058.html

A new discovery could reverse the effects of a stroke - 061711
http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/health/medical_breakthroughs/a-new-discovery-could-reverse-the-effects-of-a-stroke

Stopping Stroke Damage with a Shot - 061511
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/health/health_watch&id=8193079

Ground breaks on new teaching hospital – 041811
http://www.wwltv.com/home/Ground-breaks-on-new-teaching-hospital-120140924.html

Featured videos - 111010
Medical watch: for some could tanning be an addiction?
New discovery from a local doctor that may help people suffering from a stroke
http://www.wwltv.com/news/health/Medical-Watch-For-some-could-tanning-be-an-addiction-107549033.html

Omega 3 fatty acids may help prevent Alzheimer's – 091610
http://www.wwltv.com/home/Omega-3-fatty-acids-may-help-prevent-Alzheimers-103105454.html

Impact of brain disease on families – 012209
http://www.wwltv.com/archive/65592787.html

Audio Interview with Dr. Nicolas Bazan – 060509
http://neworleanspodcasting.com/NicolasBazan.shtml

Selected Publications

Li S, Gordon WC, Bazan NG, and Jin M. (2020) Inverse correlation between fatty acid transport protein 4 and vision in Leber congenital amaurosis associated with RPE65 mutation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 117: 32114-23.

Mia Langbøl, Sarkis Saruhanian, Thisayini Baskaran, Daniel Tiedemann, Zaynab A. Mouhammad, Anne Katrine Toft-Kehler, Bokkyoo Jun, Rupali Vohra, Nicolas G. Bazan, Miriam Kolko. Increased Antioxidant Capacity and Pro-Homeostatic Lipid Mediators in Ocular Hypertension—A Human Experimental Model.Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2020; 9 (9): 2979 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092979

Pham TL, He J, Kakazu AH, Calandria J, Do KV, Nshimiyimana R, Petasis NA, Bazan HEP, Bazan NG. Elovanoid-N32 or RvD6-isomer decrease ACE2 and binding of S protein RBD after injury or INFγ in the eye. Research Square. 2020 PMID 32818210 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-55764/v1

Belayev L, Hong SH, Freitas RS, Menghani H, Marcell SJ, Khoutorova L, Mukherjee PK, Reid MM, Oria RB, Bazan NG. DHA modulates MANF and TREM2 abundance, enhances neurogenesis, reduces infarct size, and improves neurological function after experimental ischemic stroke. Cns Neuroscience & Therapeutics. 2020 PMID 32757264 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13444

Bazan HA, Bhattacharjee S, Burgos C, Recio J, Abet V, Pahng AR, Jun B, Heap J, Ledet AJ, Gordon WC, Edwards S, Paul D, Alvarez-Builla J, Bazan NG. A novel pipeline of 2-(benzenesulfonamide)-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide analgesics that lack hepatotoxicity and retain antipyresis. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2020 202: 112600. PMID 32629335 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112600

Nicolas G. Bazan and William C. Gordon, Learning from the Fly Photoreceptor on How Synapses Integrate Gene Expression to Sustain Retina and Brain Function, Neuron 101:548-550, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.004

Gordon WC, López VG, Bhattacharjee S, Gil DR, Díaz JA, de la Losa FP, Peláez RP, Ferrer CT, Bacchini GS, Jun B, Varoqui H, Bazan NG. A nonsteriodal novel formulation targeting inflammatory and pruritus-related mediators modulates experimental allergic contact dermatitis
Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2018 Mar;8(1):111-126.

Jun, Bokkyoo, Mukherjee, Pranab K., Asatryan Aram, Kautzmann, Marie-Audrey, Heap, Jessica, Gordon, William C., Bhattacharjee, Surjyadipta, Yang, Rong, Petasis, Nicos A., Bazan, Nicolas G. Elovanoids are novel cell-specific lipid mediators necessary for neuroprotective signaling for photoreceptor cell integrity, Scientific Reports, 7:5279, 2017

Chapter Retinal Degenerative Diseases 2016, Volume 854 of the series Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology pp 385-391
Molecular Principles for Decoding Homeostasis Disruptions in the Retinal
Pigment Epithelium: Significance of Lipid Mediators to Retinal Degenerative Diseas

Hong, S.H. , Khoutorova, L., Bazan, N.G., and Belayev, L; Docosahexaenoic Acid Improves behavior and Attenuates Blood-Brain Barrier Injury Induced by Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats.Experimental and Tranlsational Stroke Medicine (2015) 7:3:1-10.

Rice, D.S. Calandria, J.M., Gordon, W.C., Jun, B.K., Zhou, Y.D., Gelfman, C.M., Li, S.H., Jin, M., Knott, E.J., Chang, B., Abuin, A., Issa El-Samman, T., Potter, D., Platt, K.A., and Bazan, N.G. Adiponectin Receptor 1 Conserves Docosahexaenoic Acid and Promotes Photoreceptor Cell Survival, Nature Communications, 2015 1-14

Calandria, J.M., Asatryan, A., Balaszczuk, V., Knott, E.J., Jun, B.K., Mukherjee, P.K., Belayev, L., and Bazan, N.G. NPD1-Mediated Steroselective Regulation of BIRC3 Expression Through cREL is Decisive for Neural Cell Survival, 2015, Cell Death and Differentation, 1-15.

Eady, T.N., Khoutorova, L.,Obenaus, A., Mohd-Yusof, A., Bazan, N.G., Belayev, L. Docosahexaenoic Acid complexed to albumin provides neuroprotection after experimental stroke in aged rats;Neurobiology of Disease; 62:1-7, 2014.

Docosahexaenoic Acid and its derivative Neuroprotectin D1 Display Neuroprotective Properties in the Retina, Brain and Central Nervous System. Makrides M. Ochoa JB, Szajewska H (eds): The Importance of Immunonutrition. Nestlé Nutr Inst Workshop Ser, Vol 77, pp 121-131, (DOI: 10.1159/000351395) Nestec Ltd., Vevey/S.Karger AG., Basel, c 2013.

Erickson, J.D., Bazan, N.G. The Nucleolus Fine-tunes the Orchestration of an Early Neuroprotection Response in Neurodegeneration. Cell Death Differ. 2013.

Sheets, K.G., Jun, B., Zhou, Y., Zhu, M., Petasis, N.A., Gordon, W.C., Bazan, N.G. Microglial ramification and redistribution concomitant with the attenuation of choroidal neovascularization by neuroprotectin D1. Mol Vis.2013;19:1747-59.

Songhua Li, Jungsoo Lee, Yongdong Zhou, William C. Gordon, James M. Hill, Nicolas G. Bazan, Jeffrey H. Miner, and Minghao Jin. Fatty Acid Transport Protein 4 (FATP4) Prevents Light-Induced Degeneration of Cone and Rod Photoreceptors by Inhibiting RPE65 Isomerase; The Journal of Neuroscience,  2013, 3178:33(7):3178 –3189.

Lentz, J., Jodelka, F.M., Hinrick, A.J., McCaffrey, K.E., Farris, H.E., Spalitta, M.J., Bazan, N.G., Duelli, D.M., Rigo, F., Hastings, M.L. Rescue of hearing and vestibular function by antisense oligonucleotides in a mouse model of human deafness; Nature Medicine Advance Published Online February 2013 1-8.

Eady, T.N., Khoutorova, L., Atkins, K.D., Bazan, N.G., Belayev, L. Docosahexaenoic acid complexed to human albumin in experimental stroke: neuroprotective efficacy with a wide therapeutic window.Exp Transl Stroke Med. 2012 Sep 14;4(1):19. doi: 10.1186/2040-7378-4-19.

Eady, T.N., Khoutorova, L., Atkins, K.D., Bazan, N.G., Belayev, L. Docosahexaenoic acid complexed to human albumin in experimental stroke: neuroprotective efficacy with a wide therapeutic window. Exp Transl Stroke Med. 2012 Sep 14;4(1):19. doi: 10.1186/2040-7378-4-19.

Bazan, N.G. Neuroinflammation and proteostasis are modulated by endogenously biosynthesized neuroprotectin D1. Mol Neurobiol. 2012 Aug;46(1):221-6. doi: 10.1007/s12035-012-8322-5. Epub 2012 Sep 7.

Petasis, N.A., Yang, R., Winkler, J.W., Zhu, M., Uddin, J., Bazan, N.G., Serhan, C.N. Stereocontrolled total synthesis of neuroprotectin D1 / protectin D1 and its aspirin-triggered stereoisomer. Tetrahedron Lett. 2012 Apr 4;53(14):1695-1698. Epub 2012 Jan 14.

Bazan, N.G., Eady, T.N., Khoutorova, L., Atkins, K.D., Hong S., Lu, Y., Zhang C., Jun, B., Obenaus A., Fredman, G., Zhu, M., Winkler, J.W., Petasis, N.A., Serhan, C.N., Belayev, L. Novel aspirin-triggered Neuroprotectin D1 attenuates cerebral ischemic injury after experimental stroke. Exp Neurol. 2012 Jul; 236(1):122-30. Epub 2012 Apr 19.

Calandria, J.M., Mukherjee, P.K., Vaccari, J., Zhu, M., Petasis, N.A., Bazan, N.G. Ataxin-1 Poly-Q-induced proteotoxic stress and apoptosis are attenuated in neural cells by docosahexaenoic acid-derived neuroprotection D1. J Biol Chem. 2012 Jul 6; 287(28):23726-39. Epub 2012 Apr 16.

Petasis, N.A., Yang, R., Winkler, J.W., Zhu, M., Uddin, J., Bazan, N.G., Serhan, C.N. Stereocontrolled total synthesis of Neuroprotectin D1/Protectin D1 and its aspirin-triggered stereoisomer, Tetrahedron Letters 2012 53:1695-1698.

Stark, D.T., Bazan, N.G. Synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors differentially modulate neuronal COX-2 function, lipid peroxidation, and neuroprotection. J Neurosci. 2011 31:13710-13721.

Zhou, Y., Sheets, K.G., Knott, E.J., Regan, C.E. Jr., Tuo, J., Chan, C.C., Gordon, W.C., Bazan, N.G. Cellular and 3D Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment During the Initiation and Progression of Retinal Degeneration in the Ccl2/Cx3cr1-deficient Mouse.   Exp. Eye Res. 2011 93:636-648.

Cortina, M.S., He, J., Li, N., Bazan, N.G., Bazan, H.E. Recovery of corneal sensitivity, CGRP positive nerves and increased wound healing are induced by PEDF plus DHA after experimental surgery. Arch. Ophthal. 2012 130:76-83; 2011 (online first).

Molina, M.F., Bazan, N.G. The bioactive mediator neuroprotectin D1 derived from docosahexaenoic acid is a homeostatic cell survival sentinel in the nervous system. ASBMB Today July 2011 pp.24-25.

Musto, A.E., Gjorstrup, P., Bazan, N.G. The omega-3 fatty acid-derived neuroprotectin D1 limits hippocampal hyperexcitability and seizure susceptibility in kindling epileptogenesis. Epilepsia. 2011 52:1601-1608.

Mattson, M.P., Bazan, N.G. Apoptosis and Necrosis. In Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects, 8th edition, G.Siegel, R.W. Albers, S.T. Brady, D.L. Price (eds.), 2011.

Belayev, L., Lu, Y. M., Bazan, N.G. Brain Ischemia and Reperfusion: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms in Stroke Injury. In Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects, 8th edition, G.Siegel, R.W. Albers, S.T. Brady, D.L. Price (eds.), 2011.

Bazan, N.G., Halabi, A., Ertel, M., Petasis, N.A. Neuroinflammation. In Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects, 8th edition, G.Siegel, R.W. Albers, S.T. Brady, D.L. Price (eds.), 2011.

Bazan, N.G., Stark, D.T., Petasis, N.A. Lipid Mediators: Eicosanoids, Docosanoids and Platelet-Activating Factor. In Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects, 8th edition, G.Siegel, R.W. Albers, S.T. Brady, D.L. Price (eds.), 2011.

Bazan, N.G., Molina, M.F., Gordon, W.C. Docosahexaenoic Acid Signalolipidomics in Nutrition: Significance in Aging, Neuroinflammation, Macular Degeneration, Alzheimer's and other Neurodegenerative Diseases. Annual Review of Nutrition 2011 31:321-51.

Stark, D.T., Bazan, N.G. Protectin D1 induces neuronal survival and downregulation of amyloidogenic processing in Alzheimer's disease cellular models. Mol Neurobio, (2011) 2:131-8.

Kenchegowda, S., Bazan, N.G., Bazan, H. E. EGF stimulates lipoxin A4 synthesis and modulates repair in corneal epithelial cells through ERK and p38 activation.Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. (2011) 6:52:2240-9.

He,  J., Kakazu, A.H., Bazan, N.G., Bazan, H.E. Aspirin-Triggered Lipoxin A4 (15-epi-LXA4) Increases the Endothelial Viability of Human Corneas Storage in Optisol-GS. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2011 27:235-241.

Zhao, Y., Calon, F., Julien, C., Winkler, J.W., Petasis, N.A., Lukiw, W.J., Bazan, N.G. Docosahexaenoic acid-derived neuroprotectin D1 induces neuronal survival via secretase- and PPARγ-mediated mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease models. PLoS One. (2011) 6:e15816.

Belayev, L., Khoutorova, L., Atkins, K.D., Eady, T.N., Hong, S., Lu, Y., Obenaus, A., Bazan, N.G. Docosahexaenoic Acid Therapy of Experimental Ischemic Stroke. Transl Stroke Res. (2011) 2:33-41.

Knott, E.J., Sheets, K.G., Zhou, Y., Gordon, W.C., Bazan, N.G. Spatial correlation of mouse photoreceptor-RPE thickness between SD-OCT and histology. Exp Eye Res. (2011) 92:155-60.

Lukiw, W.J.,  Bazan, N.G. Omega-3 essential fatty acids modulate initiation and progression of neurodegenerative disease.  Mol Neurobiol. 2010 42:10-16

Bazan, N.G., Calandria, J.M., Serhan, C.N. Rescue and repair during photoreceptor cell renewal mediated by docosahexaenoic acid-derived neuroprotectin D1. J Lipid Res. (2010) 51:2018-31.

Halapin, N.A., Bazan, N.G. NPD1 induction of retinal pigment epithelial cell survival involves PI3K/Akt phosphorylation signaling. Neurochem Res. (2010) 35:1944-7.

Cui, J.G., Bazan, N.G. Agrin downregulation induced by nerve injury contributes to neuropathic pain. J. Neurosci. (2010) 30:15286-15297.

He, J., Bazan, N.G., Bazan, H.E. Mapping the entire human corneal nerve architecture. Exp Eye Res. (2010) 91:513-523.

Palacios-Pelaez, R., Lukiw, W.J., Bazan, N.G. Omega-3 essential Fatty acids modulate initiation and progression of neurodegenerative disease. Mol. Neurobiol. (2010) 41:367-374.

Lukiw, W.J., Bazan, N.G. Inflammatory, apoptotic, and survival gene signaling in Alzheimer's disease. A review on the bioactivity of neuroprotectin D1 and apoptosis.Mol. Neurobiol. (2010) 42:10-16.

Antony, R., Lukiw, W.J., Bazan, N.G. Neuroprotectin D1 induces dephosphorylation of Bcl-xL in a PP2A-dependent manner during oxidative stress and promotes retinal pigment epithelial cell survival. J. Biol. Chem. (2010) 285:18301-18308.

Faghiri, Z., Bazan, N.G. PI3K/Akt and mTOR/p70S6K pathways mediate neuroprotectin D1-induced retinal pigment epithelial cell survival during oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.  Exp. Eye Res. (2010) 90:718-725.

Sheets, K.G., Zhou, Y., Ertel, M.K., Knott, E. J., Regan, C. E., Elison, J.R., Gordon, W.C.,  Gjorstrup, P., N.G. Bazan. Neuroprotectin D1 attenuates laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in mouse. Mol Vis. (2010) 16:320-329.

Marcheselli, V.L., Mukherjee, P.K.,  Arita, M., Hong, S., Antony, R., Sheets, K., Winkler, J.W.,  Petasis, N.A., Serhan, C.N., Bazan, N.G. Neuroprotectin D1/protectin D1 stereoselective and specific binding with human retinal  pigment epithelial cells and neutrophils. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. (2010) 82:27-34.

Calandria, J.M.,  Bazan, N.G. Neuroprotectin D1 Modulates the Induction of Pro-Inflammatory Signaling and Promotes Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Survival During Oxidative Stress. Adv Exp Med Biol. 664 (2010) 663-670. (Review)

Zhang, C., Bazan, N.G. Lipid-mediated cell signaling protects against injury and neurodegeneration. J Nutr. (2010) 140:858-863. (Review)

Niemoller, T.D., Bazan, N.G. Docosahexaenoic acid neurolipidomics. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat.  (2010) 91:85-89. (Review)

Cortina, M.S., He, J.,  Li, N., Bazan, N.G, Bazan, H.E. Neuroprotectin D1 synthesis and corneal nerve regeneration after experimental surgery and treatment with PEDF plus DHA. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. (2010) 51:804-810.

Calandria, J.M.,  Bazan, N.G. Neuroprotectin D1 modulates the induction of pro-inflammatory signaling and promotes retinal pigment epithelial cell survival during oxidative stress. In: Retinal Degenerative Diseases: Laboratory and Therapeutic Investigations. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Vol. 664. Eds: R. E. Anderson, J. G. Hollyfield, M. M. LaVail. (2010) Ch. 76:663-670.

Calandria, J.M.,  Marcheselli, V.L., Mukherjee, P.K.,  Uddin, J., Winkler, J.W.,  Petasis, N.A.,  Bazan, N.G. Selective survival rescue in 15-lipoxygenase-1-deficient retinal pigment epithelial cells by the novel docosahexaenoic acid-derived mediator, neuroprotectin D1. J Biol Chem. (2009) 284:17877-17882.

Belayev, L., Khoutorova, L., Atkins, K.D., Bazan, N.G. Robust docosahexaenoic acid-mediated neuroprotection in a rat model of transient, focal cerebral ischemia.  Stroke. (2009) 40:3121-3126.

Belayev, L.,  Khoutorova, L.,  Atkins, K.,  Cherqui, A.,  Alvarez-Builla, J.,  Bazan, N.G. LAU-0901, a novel platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist, confers enduring neuroprotection in experimental focal cerebral ischemia in the rat. Brain Res. (2009) 1253:184-190.

Esquenazi, S.,  He, J., Li, N., Bazan, N.G, Esquenazi, I.,  Bazan, H.E. A novel platelet activating factor receptor antagonist reduces cell infiltration and expression of inflammatory mediators in mice exposed to desiccating conditions after PRK.  Clin Dev Immunol. (2009) 2009:138513.

Bazan, N.G. Is NF-kappa B from astrocytes a decision maker of neuronal life or death? (Commentary on Dvoriantchikova et al.). Eur J Neurosci.  (2009) 30:173-174. Commentary

Bazan, N.G. Cellular and molecular events mediated by docosahexaenoic acid-derived neuroprotectin D1 signaling in photoreceptor cell survival and brain protection. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. (2009) 81:205-211. (Review)

Niemoller, T.D.,  Stark, D.T.,  Bazan, N.G. Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid is the precursor of neuroprotectin D1 in the nervous system. World Rev Nutr Diet. (2009) 99:46-54. (Review)

Bazan, N.G. Neuroprotectin D1-mediated anti-inflammatory and survival signaling in stroke, retinal degenerations, and Alzheimer's disease. J Lipid Res. (2009) 50:Suppl:S400-S405. (Review)

Bazan, N.G. Cellular and molecular events mediated by docosahexaenoic acid-derived neuroprotectin D1 signaling in photoreceptor cell survival and brain protection. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. (2009) 81:205-211.

Bazan, N.G. Cell Signaling by Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Epileptogenesis. In: Philip A. Schwartzkroin, editor, Encyclopedia of Basic Epilepsy Research, Vol 2. Oxford: Academic Press; 2009. pp. 703-712.

Bazan, N.G., and Musto A.E. Inositol Lipid Signaling in Synaptic Activity, Neuronal Plasticity and Epileptogenesis. In: Philip A. Schwartzkroin, editor Encyclopedia of Basic Epilepsy Research, Vol 3. Oxford: Academic Press; 2009. pp. 1160-1166.

Belayev, L.,  Khoutorova, L.,  Atkins, K., Gordon, W.C., Alvarez-Builla, J., Bazan, N.G. LAU-0901, a novel platelet-activating factor antagonist, is highly neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia. Exp Neurol. (2008) 214:253-258.

Lukiw, W.J., Bazan, N.G. Docosahexaenoic acid and the aging brain. J Nutr. (2008) 138:2510-2514. (Review)

Van Meter, K., Sheps, S., Kriedt, F., Moises, J., Barratt, D., Murphy-Lavoie, H., Harch, P.G., Bazan, N.G. Hyperbaric oxygen improves rate of return of spontaneous circulation after prolonged normothermic porcine cardiopulmonary arrest. Resuscitation (2008) 78:200-214.

Bazan, N.G. Neurotrophins induce neuroprotective signaling in the retinal pigment epithelial cell by activating the synthesis of the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic neuroprotectin D1. Adv Exp Med Biol. (2008) 613:39-44.

Mukherjee, P.K., Marcheselli, V.L., Barreiro, S., Hu, J., Bok, D., Bazan, N.G. Neurotrophins enhance retinal pigment epithelial cell survival through neuroprotectin D1 signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. (2007) 104:13152-13157.

Mukherjee, P.K., Marcheselli, V.L., de Rivero Vaccari, J.C., Gordon, W.C., Jackson. F.E., Bazan, N.G. Photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis attenuates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis with concomitant neuroprotectin D1 synthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. (2007) 104:13158-13163.

Mukherjee, P.K., Chawla, A., Loayza, M.S., Bazan, N.G. Docosanoids are multifunctional regulators of neural cell integrity and fate: significance in aging and disease. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. (2007) 77:233-238.

Bazan, N.G. Homeostatic regulation of photoreceptor cell integrity: significance of the potent mediator neuroprotectin D1 biosynthesized from docosahexaenoic acid: the Proctor Lecture. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. (2007) 48:4866-4881.

Ryan, S.D., Harris, C.S., Mo, F., Lee, H., Hou, S.T., Bazan, N.G, Haddad, P.S., Arnason, J.T., Bennettm, S.A. Platelet activating factor-induced neuronal apoptosis is initiated independently of its G-protein coupled PAF receptor and is inhibited by the benzoate orsellinic acid. J Neurochem(2007) 103:88-97.

Esquenazi, S., He, J., Li, N., Bazan, N.G., Esquenazi, I., Bazan, H.E. Comparative in vivo high-resolution confocal microscopy of corneal epithelium, sub-basal nerves and stromal cells in mice with and without dry eye after photorefractive keratectomy. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. (2007) 35:545-549.

Kolko, M., Prause, J.U., Bazan, N.G., Heegaard, S. Human secretory phospholipase A(2), group IB in normal eyes and in eye diseases, Acta Ophthalmol Scand. (2007) 85:317-323.

Cui, J.G., Zhang, X., Zhao, Y.H., Chen, C., Bazan, N.G. Allodynia and hyperalgesia suppression by a novel analgesic in experimental neuropathic pain. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 350:358-363, 2006. Erratum in: Biochem Biophys Res Commun. (2007) 359:187-188.

Vaccarino, A.L., Paul, D., Mukherjee, P.K., Rodríguez de Turco, E.B., Marcheselli, V.L., Xu, L., Trudell, M.L., Minguez, J.M., Matía, M.P., Sunkel, C., Alvarez-Builla, J., Bazan, N.G. Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of non-hepatotoxic acetaminophen analogs. Bioorg Med Chem. (2007) 15:2206-2215.

Kolko, M., Wang, J., Zhan, C., Poulsen, K.A., Prause, J.U., Nissen, M.H., Heegaard, S., Bazan, N.G. Identification of intracellular phospholipases A2 in the human eye: involvement in phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. (2007) 48:1401-1409.

Bazan, N.G. Omega-3 fatty acids, pro-inflammatory signaling and neuroprotection. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. (2007) 10:136-141.

Bazan, N.G. Survival signaling in retinal pigment epithelial cells in response to oxidative stress: significance in retinal degenerations. Adv Exp Med Biol. (2006) 572:531-540.

Lukiw, W.J., Bazan, N.G. Survival signalling in Alzheimer's disease. Biochem Soc Trans. (2006) 34:1277-1282.

Cole-Edwards, K.K., Musto, A.E., Bazan, N.G. c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation responses induced by hippocampal kindling are mediated by reactive astrocytes. J  Neurosci(2006) 26:8295-8304.

Bazan, N.G. The onset of brain injury and neurodegeneration triggers the synthesis of docosanoid neuroprotective signaling. Cell Mol Neurobiol. (2006) 26:901-913.

Lukiw, W.J., Mukherjee, P.K., Cui, J.G., Bazan, N.G. A2E selectively induces COX-2 in ARPE-19 and human neural cells. Curr Eye Res. (2006) 31:259-263.

Kolko, M., Christoffersen, N.R., Barreiro, S.G., Miller, M.L., Pizza, A.J., Bazan, N.G. Characterization and location of secretory phospholipase A2 groups IIE, V, and X in the rat brain.  J Neurosci Res. (2006) 83:874-882.

Musto, A., Bazan, N.G. Diacylglycerol kinase epsilon modulates rapid kindling epileptogenesis. Epilepsia. (2006) 47:267-276.

He J., Bazan N.G., Bazan H.E. Alkali-induced corneal stromal melting prevention by a novel platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist. Arch Ophthalmol. (2006) 124:70-78.

Faghiri, Z., Bazan, N.G. Selective relocalization and proteasomal downregulation of PKCalpha induced by platelet-activating factor in retinal pigment epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. (2006) 47:397-404.

Esquenazi, S., He, J., Kim, D.B., Bazan, N.G., Bui, V., Bazan, H.E. Wound-healing response and refractive regression after conductive keratoplasty. J Cataract Refract Surg. 32:480-486, 2006.

Chen, C., Hardy, M., Zhang, J., LaHoste, G.J., Bazan, N.G. Altered NMDA receptor trafficking contributes to sleep deprivation-induced hippocampal synaptic and cognitive impairments. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. (2006) 10;340:435-440.

McDermott, C.M., Hardy, M.N., Bazan, N.G., Magee, J.C. Sleep deprivation-induced alterations in excitatory synaptic transmission in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. J Physiol. (2006) 1;570:553-65.

Malcher-Lopes, R., Di, S., Marcheselli, V.S., Weng, F.J., Stuart, C.T., Bazan, N.G., Tasker J.G. Opposing crosstalk between leptin and glucocorticoids rapidly modulates synaptic excitation via endocannabinoid release. J Neurosci. (2006) 26:6643-6650.

Ruskin, D.N., Dunn, K.E., Billiot, I., Bazan, N.G., Lahoste, G.J. Eliminating the adrenal stress response does not affect sleep deprivation-induced acquisition deficits in the water maze. Life Sci. (2006) 78:2833-2838.

Esquenazi, S., He, J., Bazan, H.E., Bazan, N.G. Use of autologous serum in corneal epithelial defects post-lamellar surgery. Cornea. (2005) 24:992-997.

Cole-Edwards, K.K., Bazan, N.G. Lipid signaling in experimental epilepsy. Neurochem Res. (2005) 847-853 (Review).

Tian, X., Bazan, N.G. Neuroprotection by platelet-activating factor antagonism. Ann N Y Acad Sci. (2005) 1053:455-456 (Review).

Kolko, M., Christoffersen, N.R., Varoqui, H., Bazan, N.G. Expression and induction of secretory phospholipase A2 group IB in brain. Cell Mol Neurobiol. (2005) 25:1107-1122.

Lukiw, W.J., Pappolla, M., Pelaez, R.P., Bazan, N.G. Alzheimer's disease--a dysfunction in cholesterol and lipid metabolism. Cell Mol Neurobiol(2005) 25:475-483 (Review).

Chen, C., Bazan, N.G. Endogenous PGE 2 regulates membrane excitability and synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. J Neurophysiol(2005) 93:929-941.

Mattson, M.P., Bazan, N.G. Apoptosis and necrosis., Basic Neurochemistry 7 th edition, G. Siegel, R. W. Albers, S. T. Brady, D. L. Price (eds.), (2005).

Zhu, P., Genc, A., Zhang, X., Zhang, J., Bazan, N.G, Chen, C. Heterogeneous expression and regulation of hippocampal prostaglandin E2 receptors. J Neurosci Res (2005) 15;81:817-826.

Bazan, N.G. Synaptic signaling by lipids in the life and death of neurons. Mol Neurobiol(2005) 31:219-230 (Review).

Bazan, N.G. Neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1): A DHA-derived mediator that protects brain and retina against cell injury-induced oxidative stress. Brain Pathol(2005) 15:159-166 (Review).

Bazan, N.G., Marcheselli, V.L., Cole-Edwards, K. Brain response to injury and neurodegeneration: endogenous neuroprotective signaling. Ann N Y Acad Sci. (2005) 1053:137-147 (Review).

Chen, C., Bazan, N.G. Lipid signaling: sleep, synaptic plasticity, and neuroprotection. Prostaglandins Other Lipid. Mediat. (2005) 77:65-76 (Review).

Bazan, N.G. Lipid signaling in neural plasticity, brain repair, and neuroprotection. Mol Neurobiol. (2005) 32:89-103 (Review).

Sang, N., Zhang, J., Marcheselli, V.L., Bazan, N.G., Chen, C. Postsynaptically synthesized prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) modulates hippocampal synaptic transmission via a presynaptic PGE2 EP2 receptor. J Neurosci. (2005) 26;25:9858-9870.

Di, S., Boudaba, C., Popescu, I.R., Weng, F.J., Harris, C., Marcheselli, V.L., Bazan, N.G., Tasker, J.G. Activity-dependent release and actions of endocannabinoids in the rat hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus. J Physiol. (2005) 5;569:751-760.

Lukiw, W.J., Cui, J.G., Musto, A.E., Musto, B.C., Bazan, N.G. Epileptogenesis in diacylglycerol kinase epsilon deficiency up-regulates COX-2 and tyrosine hydroxylase in hippocampus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. (2005) 9;338:77-81.

Esquenazi, S., He, J., Bazan, N.G., Bazan, H.E. Comparison of corneal wound-healing response in photorefractive keratectomy and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy. J Cataract Refract Surg. (2005) 31:1632-1639.

Esquenazi, S., Bazan, H.E., Bui, V., He, J., Kim, D.B., Bazan, N.G. Topical combination of NGF and DHA increases rabbit corneal nerve regeneration after photorefractive keratectomy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. (2005) 46:3121-3127.

Di, S., Malcher-Lopes, R., Marcheselli, V.L., Bazan, N.G., Chen, C. Rapid glucocorticoid-mediated endocannabinoid release and opposing regulation of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid inputs to hypothalamic magnocellular neurons. Endocrinology. (2005) 146:4292-4301.

Cortina, M.S., Gordon, W.C., Lukiw, W.J., Bazan, N.G.Oxidative stress-induced retinal damage up-regulates DNA polymerase gamma and 8-oxoguanine-DNA-glycosylase in photoreceptor synaptic mitochondria. Exp Eye Res(2005) 81:742-750.

Teather, L.A., Packard, M.G., Smith, D.E., Ellis-Behnke, R.G., Bazan, N.G. Differential induction of c-Jun and Fos-like proteins in rat hippocampus and dorsal striatum after training in two water maze tasks. Neurobiol Learn Mem(2005) 84:75-84.

Boedker, M., Boetkjaer, A., Bazan, N.G., Cui, J.G., Zhao, Y., Pelaez, R.P., Lukiw, W.J. Budesonide epimer R, LAU-8080 and phenyl butyl nitrone synergistically repress cyclooxygenase-2 induction in [IL-1beta+Abeta42]-stressed human neural cells. Neurosci Lett (2005) 20-27;380:176-180.

Sharma, G.D., Ottino, P., Bazan, N.G., Bazan, H.E. Epidermal and hepatocyte growth factors, but not keratinocyte growth factor, modulate protein kinase Calpha translocation to the plasma membrane through 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid synthesis. J Biol Chem(2005) 4;280:7917-7924.

Lukiw, W.,Cui, J.G., Marcheselli, V., Bodker, M., Botkjaer, A., Gotlinger, K., Serhan, C.N., Bazan, N.G. A role for docosahexaenoic acid-derived neuroprotection D1 in neural cell survival and Alzheimer’s disease. J Clin Inv. (2005) 115:2774-2783.

Belayev, L., Marcheselli, V.L., Khoutorova, L., Rodriguez de Turco, E.B., Busto, R., Ginsberg, M.D., Bazan, N. G. Docosahexaenoic acid complexed to albumin elicits high-grade ischemic neuroprotection. Stroke(2005) 36:118-123.

Mukherjee, P.K., Marcheselli, V.L., Serhan, C.N., Bazan, N.G. Neuroprotectin D1: A docosahexanoic acid-derived docosatriene protects human retinal pigment epithelial cells from oxidative stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci, USA (2004) 101:8491-8496.

Ottino, P., Finley, J., Rojo, E., Ottlecz, A., Lambrou, G.N., Bazan, H.E., Bazan, N.G. Hypoxia activates matrix metalloproteinase expression and the VEGF system in monkey choroid-retinal endothelial cells. Involvement of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) activity. Mol Vis (2004) 10:341-350.

Zhu, P., DeCoster, M.A., Bazan, N.G. Interplay among platelet-activating factor, oxidative stress, and group I metabotropic, glutamate receptors modulates neuronal survival. J Neurosci Res (2004) 77:525-531.

Cui, J.G., Kuroda, H., Chandrasekharan, N.V., Pelaez, R.P., Simmons, D.L., Bazan, N.G., Lukiw, W. J. Cyclooxygenase-3 gene expression in Alzheimer hippocampus and in stressed human neural cells. Neurochem Res(2004) 29:1731-1737.

Rollin, S., Lemieux, C., Maliba, R., Favier, J., Villeneuve, L.R., Allen, B.G., Soker, S., Bazan, N.G., Merhi, Y., Sirois, M.G. VEGF-mediated endothelial P-selectin translocation: Role of VEGF receptors and endogenous PAF synthesis. Blood(2004) 103:3789-3797.

Axelrad, T.W., Deo, D.D., Ottino, P., Van Kirki, J., Bazan, N.G., Bazan, H.E.P., Hunt, J.D. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) induces activation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity and vascular endothelial cell invasion and migration.FASEB J (2004) 18:568-570.

Deo, D.D., Bazan, N.G., Hunt, J.D. Activation of platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor-coupled Ga q leads to stimulation of Src and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) via two separate pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). J Biol Chem 279:3497-3508, 2004.

Ma, X., Ottino, P., Bazan, H.E., Bazan, N.G. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) induces corneal neovascularization and upregulates VEGF expression in endothelial cells.  Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. (2004)45:2915-2921.

Kolko, M., Christoffersen, N.R., Barreiro, S.G., Bazan, N.G. Expression and location of mRNAs encoding multiple forms of secretory phospholipase A 2 in the rat retina. J Neurosci Res (2004) 77:517-524.

Katsura, K., Rodriguez de Turco, E.B., Siesjö, B.K., Bazan, N.G. Effects of hyperglycemia and hypercapnia on lipid metabolism during complete brain ischemia. Brain Res(2004) 1030:133-140.

Tu, B., Bazan, N.G. Hippocampal kindling epileptogenesis upregulates neuronal cyclooxygenases-2 expression in neocortex. Exp. Neurol. (2003) 179:167-175.

Cortina, M.S., Gordon, W.C., Lukiw, W.J., Bazan, N.G. DNA repair in photoreceptor survival. Mol Neurobiol(2003) 28:111-122 (Review).

McDermott, C., LaHoste, G.J., Chen, C., Musto, A., Bazan, N.G., Magee, J.C. Sleep deprivation causes behavioral, synaptic, and membrane excitability alterations in hippocampal neurons. J Neurosci(2003) 23:9687-9695.

Marcheselli, V.L., Hong, S., Lukiw, W.J., Tian, X.H., Gronert, K., Musto, A., Hardy, M., Gimenez, J.M., Chiang, N., Serhan, C.N., Bazan, N.G. Novel docosanoids inhibit brain ischema-reperfusion-mediated leukocyte infiltration and pro-inflammatory gene expression. J Biol Chem (2003) 278:43807-43817.

Bazan, N.G. Synaptic lipid signaling: Significance of polyunsaturated fatty acids and platelet-activating factor. J Lipid Res(2003) 44:2221-2233.

Lukiw, W.J., Ottlecz, A., Lambrou, G., Grueninger, M., Finley, J., Thompson, H.W., Bazan, N.G. Coordinate activation of HIF-1 and NF-KappaB DNA binding and COX-2 and VEGF expression in retinal cells by hypoxia. Investi Ophthalmol and Vis Sci(2003) 44:4163-4170.

Chen, C., Bazan, N.G. Acetaminophen modifies hippocampal synaptic plasticity via a presynaptic 5-HT 2 receptor. NeuroReport(2003) 14:743-747.

Kolko, M., Rodriguez de Turco, E.B., Diemer, N.H., Bazan, N.G. Neuronal damage by secretory phospholipase A2: Modulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2, platelet-activating factor, and cyclooxygenase-2 in neuronal cells in culture. Neurosci Lett(2003) 338:164-168.

Bazan, N.G. and Flower, R.J. Lipid signals in pain control. Nature (2002) 420:135-138. (News and Views).

Bazan, N.G. and Lukiw, W.J. Cyclooxygenase-2 and presenilin-1 gene expression induced by interleukin-1 beta and amyloid-beta 42 peptide is potentiated by hypoxia in primary human neural cells. J Biol Chem(2002) 277:30359-30367.

Gordon, W.C., Casey, D.M., Lukiw, W.J., Bazan, N.G. DNA damage and repair in light-induced photoreceptor degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci(2002) 43:3511-3521.

Rodriguez de Turco, E.B., Belayev, L., Liu, Y., Busto, R., Parkins, N., Bazan, N.G., Ginsberg, M.D. Systemic fatty acid responses to transient focal cerebral ischemia: Influence of neuroprotectant therapy with human albumin. J Neurochem(2002) 82:1-10.

DeCoster, M.A., Lambeau, G., Lazdunski, M., Bazan, N.G. Secreted phospholipase A 2 potentiates glutamate-induced calcium increase and cell death in primary neuronal cultures. J Neurosci Res (2002) 67:634-645.

Rodriguez de Turco, E.B., Jackson, F.R., DeCoster, M.A., Kolko, M., Bazan, N.G. Glutatmate signaling and secretory phospholipase A 2 modulate the release of arachidonic acid from neuronal membrane. J Neurosi Res(2002) 68:558-567.

Teather, L.A., Packard, M.A., Bazan, N.G. Post-training cyclooxygenase-2 (COX) inhibition impairs memory consolidation. Learning and Memory(2002) 9:41-47.

Deo, D.D., Axelrad, T.W., Robert, E.G., Marcheselli, V.L., Bazan, N.G, Hunt, J.D. Phosphorylation of STAT-3 in response to basic fibroblast growth factor occurs through a mechanism involving platelet-activating factor, JAK-2, and Src in human umbilical vein endothelial cells: Evidence for a dual kinase mechanism. J Biol Chem (2002) 277:21237-21245.

Parker, M.A., Bazan, H.E.P., Marcheselli, V.L., Rodriguez de Turco, E.B., Bazan, N.G. Platelet-activating factor induces permeability transition and cytochrome c release in isolated brain mitochondria. J Neurosci Res (2002) 68:39-50.

Chen, C., Magee, J.C., Bazan, N.G. Cyclooxygenase-2 regulates prostaglandin E 2 signaling in hippocampal long- term synaptic plasticity. J Neurophysiol(2002) 87:2851-2857.

Kolko, M., Nielsen, M., Bazan, N.G., Diemer, N. Secretory phospholipase A 2 induces delayed neuronal COX-2 expression as compared to glutamate. J Neurosci Res (2002) 69:169-177.

Bazan, N.G., Tu, B., Rodriguez de Turco, E.B. What synaptic lipid signaling tells us about seizure-induced damage and epileptogenesis. Prog Brain Res(2002) 135:175-185, (Review).

Rodriguez de Turco, E.B., Tan, W., Tophan, M.K., Sakane, F., Marcheselli, V.L., Chen, C., Taketomi, A., Prescott, S., Bazan, N.G. Diacylglycerol kinase epsilon regulates seizures susceptibility and long term potentiation through inositol lipid signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci(2001) 98:4740-4745.

Bazan, N.G.COX-2 as a multifunctional neuronal modulator. Nature Medicine(2001) 7:414-415, (News and Views).

Chen, C., Magee, J.C., Marcheselli, V.L., Hardy, M., Bazan, N.G. Attenuated long-term potentiation in hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons of mice deficient in the platelet-activating factor receptor. J Neurophysiol(2001) 85:384-390.

Lukiw, W.J., Carver, L.A., LeBlanc, H.J., Bazan, N.G. Analysis of 1184 gene transcript levels in Alzheimer CA1 hippocampus: synaptic signaling and transcription factor deficits and upregulation of pro-inflammatory pathways. Alzheimer’s Reports(2000) 3:143-149.

Lukiw, W.J., Rogaev, E.I., Bazan, N.G. Potential of transcriptional coordination of nine genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Reports(2000) 3:231-242.

Ershov, A.V., Bazan, N.G. Photoreceptor phagocytosis selectively activates PPARa expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells. J Neurosci Res(2000) 60:328-337.

Bazan, N.G. Effects of ischemia and electroconvulsive shock on free fatty acid pool in the brain. Biochem. Biophys. Acta 218:1-10, 1970. Selected as "This Week's Citation Classic" (1991).

PDF with links for Dr. Bazan's publications 1963 to 2012

Research

2014 9:25:19 AM 2014 9:25:40 AM

Barry James Marshall, MD, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, 2005
and Nicolas G. Bazan  at the ARVO 2014 meeting in Orlando, Florida.

A major goal of the N. Bazan laboratory is to understand the principles underlying endogenous responses of the central nervous system to injury and neurodegeneration. For this purpose, a convergence of approaches, including cellular and molecular, are used, complemented by cell cultures (e.g. hippocampal neurons) and experimental models of neurological (epilepsy, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease) and retinal diseases (age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy). His laboratory is interested in the significance of the selective enrichment in omega-3 essential fatty acids (docosahexaenoyl–DHA–chains of membrane phospholipids, 22C and 6 double bonds) in the nervous system (e.g. photoreceptors, synaptic membranes).

While studying mechanisms of cell survival in neurodegenerations, he and his colleagues discovered a docosanoid synthesized from DHA by a 15-lipoxygenase, which was named neuroprotectin D1 – (NPD1, 10R,17S-dihydroxy-docosa-4Z,7Z,11E,-13E,15E,19Z hexaenoic acid).

This mediator is a docosanoid because it is derived from a 22C precursor (DHA), unlike eicosanoids, which are derived from the 20C arachidonic acid family member of essential fatty acids not enriched in the nervous system. NPD1 is promptly made in response to oxidative stress and brain ischemia-reperfusion, and in the presence of neurotrophins. NPD1 is neuroprotective in experimental stroke, oxidative-stressed retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and in human brain cells exposed to amyloid-β peptide. Thus NPD1 is a protective sentinel, one of the very first defenses activated when cell homeostasis is threatened by neurodegenerations.

Recent studies highlight the specificity and potency of NPD1 spanning beneficial bioactivity during initiation and early progression of neurodegenerations:

1) Photoreceptors renew membrane disks containing the phototransduction apparatus and DHA intermittently via shedding of their tips and phagocytosis by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. At the same time, new membrane disks are made at the base of the outer segments; their length remains constant and cell integrity is maintained remarkably unchanged throughout many decades. This outcome occurs in spite of the fact that the photoreceptors are in an oxidative stress-prone environment (light, high O2 consumption, high polyunsaturated fatty acid fluxes, etc).

He and his colleagues show that phagocytosis of photoreceptor disks promotes via NPD1 synthesis specific refractoriness to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in RPE cells, which in turn fosters homeostatic photoreceptor cell integrity. Disruptions of the sentinel role of NPD1 in photoreceptor renewal may participate in macular degeneration and other retinal degenerations leading to blindness.

2) In brain ischemia-reperfusion (experimental stroke), DHA is released and used for NPD1 synthesis, which in turn elicits neuroprotection. Anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family of proteins availability is positively modulated by NPD1, whereas pro-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins are negatively regulated, as is the arrival of leukocytes due
to neurovascular unit breakdown.

3) They also found that NPD1 is drastically reduced in CA1 areas from Alzheimer’s patients. Thus they have explored the significance of NPD1 in cellular models that recapitulate part of the Alzheimer’s pathology. Human neurons and astrocytes challenged by amyloid-β or by overexpressing APPsw (double Swedish mutation) show that NPD1 downregulates amyloidogenic processing of amyloid-β precursor protein, switches off pro-inflammatory gene expression (TNF-α, COX-2 and B-94-TNF-α inducible pro-inflammatory element), and promotes neural cell survival. The apoptotic cascade involves multiple checkpoints. NPD1 regulation targets upstream events of apoptosis as well as neuroinflammatory signaling, in turn promoting homeostatic regulation of cell integrity.

We are investigating the pro-inflammatory mediator, platelet-activating factor (PAF). This mediator also is produced at the synapse and is physiologic as well. However, when it accumulates, it triggers cell injury. Our laboratory has developed specific PAF antagonists and is using these tools to explore further its significance. We are also exploring a gene, the inducible prostaglandin synthase (COX-2). We have found that PAF induces this gene. The product of COX-2 accumulates in hippocampus in models of epilepsy, as well as in retina in light-induced photoreceptor degeneration.

The lab is also studying membrane biogenesis, in terms of the supply and trafficking of docosahexaenoic acid, a key building block in synapses and photoreceptors. In our studies of excitable membrane biogenesis, we have discovered that the essential fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, which is a major component of photoreceptors, is conserved by means of metabolic loops involving the liver and the interstitial space surrounding photoreceptors. These loops are altered in certain retinal degenerations and, possibly, also in some neurological diseases. The central hypothesis being explored is that lipid messengers mediate critical responses for cell survival. Phospholipases A2-generated messengers modulate both synaptic receptors, as well as downstream signaling through endogenous lipid neuroprotective messengers (e.g. docosanoids). Sites of pharmacological action, as well as novel drugs acting on these informational pathways, are being identified. The essential docosahexaenoic acid, in addition, is the precursor of neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1).

This new lipid mediator is anti-inflammatory, a potent upregulator of Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic and a downregulator of Bcl-2 pro-apoptotic proteins. Our goal is to determine the crosstalk between synapses and genes, and between neurons and astrocytes, that modulate long-term responses, which could perhaps be pharmacologically manipulated to prevent or repair injury, inflammation and cellular damage occurring in diseases.

Keywords: 

neuroprotection and neural/synaptic plasticity; unraveling cell survival signaling in injury and neurodegeneration; stroke; epilepsy; Alzheimer's disease; retinal degenerations; inflammatory response and resolution; omega-3 fatty acids; memory formation; cell signaling for successful aging

 

Funding:

“Neuroprotection: Lipid Signaling in Ischemia-Reperfusion”
Principal Investigator:
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.
Agency: National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke,
National Institutes of Health (R01 NS046741)
Period: 07/01/10-06/30/15

"Molecular Logic of Neuronal Adaption for Survival"
Principal Investigator: Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.
Grant: 2011 National Institutes of Health Directors Pioneer Award
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health
Period: Pending

"Neuroprotective Bioactivity of Neuroprotectin D1 with Nanoparticle-Enhanced Delivery in Experimental Retinal Degeneration"
Principal Investigator:
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.
Agency: Beckman Initiative for Macular Research; The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, Doheny Eye Institute (1101)
Period: 07/01/10-06/30/12

“Mentoring Neuroscience in Louisiana: A Biomedical Program to Enhance Neuroscience”
Principal Investigator: Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.
Agency: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Research Resources (P20 RR016816)
Period: 02/01/07-01/31/12

“NPD1 promotes survival signaling in the Ccl2-/-/Cx3cr1-/- mouse AMD model”
Principal Investigator:
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.
Agency: American Health Assistance Foundation
Period: 04/01/10-03/31/12

“Mechanism of action of omega-3 fatty acids in brain injury”
Principal Investigators:
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D. (LSUHSC)
Charles N. Serhan, Ph.D. (Harvard)
Nicos A. Petasis, Ph.D. (USC)
Agency: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (RC2 AT005909)
Period: 09/30/09-09/29/11

“Neuroprotectin D1 slows photoreceptor degeneration”
Principal Investigator:
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.
Agency: Foundation Fighting Blindness (TA-NP-0808-0463-LSUNO)
Period: 08/01/08-07/31/11 

“RPE Messengers, Transcription and Photoreceptor Renewal”
Principal Investigator:
Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D.
Agency: National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute (R01 EY005121)
Period: Pending

Teaching

2014 9:19:04 AM
Dr. Nicolas G. Bazan with Dr. Amanda Henne

 

The Oxygen Revolution with Dr. Harch and Dr. Bazan - YouTube 082311
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gEsvynIk1g

CIHR Training Program in Neurodegenerative Lipidomics: Ask me about Lipidomics -
Dr. Nicolas Bazan - 110809
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM-Me2ediXA