Bilkis Akhter

Ms. Bilkis Akhter


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 September 2023 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Ricaurte Alejandro Marquez-OrtizRicaurte Alejandro Marquez-Ortiz
Ricaurte Alejandro Marquez-Ortiz
VTVesna Tesic
Vesna Tesic
DHDaniel R. Hernandez
Daniel R. Hernandez
BABilkis Akhter
Bilkis Akhter
NANibedita Aich
Nibedita Aich
KRKrista Rodgers
Krista Rodgers
Ischemic damage to the brain and loss of neurons contribute to functional disabilities in many stroke survivors. Recovery of neuroplasticity is critical to restoration of function and improved quality of life. Stroke and neurological deficits occur in both adults and children, and yet it is well documented that the developing brain has remarkable plasticity which promotes increased post-ischemic functional recovery compared with adults. However, the mechanisms underlying post-stroke recovery in the young brain have not been fully explored. We observed opposing responses to experimental cerebral ischemia in juvenile and adult mice, with substantial neural regeneration and enhanced neuroplasticity detected in the juvenile brain that was not found in adults. We demonstrate strikingly different stroke-induced neuroimmune responses that are deleterious in adults and protective in juveniles, supporting neural regeneration and plasticity. Understanding age-related differences in neuronal repair and regeneration, restoration of neural network function, and neuroimmune signaling in the stroke-injured brain may offer new insights for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for stroke rehabilitation.