Anna Huguenard, MD

Clinical & research interests

I am interested in brain neuroplasticity and the ways we can harness technology to augment recovery after neurological injury. Under the guidance of Drs. Jin-Moo Lee, MD, PhD and Eric Leuthardt, MD, I am studying vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) and its ability to alter neuroplasticity and immunomodulation in two key ways:

• I am implanting chronic vagal nerve cervical cuff electrodes in adult mice and investigating our ability to alter cortical functional connectivity with stimulation as evaluated by a calcium-based wide field optical rodent imaging system. I am then using this model and paired stimulation to reopen classically closed neuroplasticity pathways in adult mice.
• I am running a randomized controlled trial implementing non-invasive auricular VNS in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. I am studying alterations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory markers, heart rate and blood pressure variability, as well as clinical outcomes.

Some of my other specific clinical research interests include:

• Intracranial aneurysms in patients with Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and vascular Ehlers-Danlos
• The role of radiosurgery and embolization in treatment of arteriovenous malformations

Grants

• NIH StrokeNet Research Fellow
  Vagus nerve stimulation and its role in enhanced neuroplasticity and immunomodulation
  Role: Fellow, Mentors: Jin-Moo Lee, MD, PhD & Eric Leuthardt, MD
  2020-2021
• AANS/CNS Cerebrovascular Section Robert J. Dempsey, MD, Cerebrovascular Research Award
  Implementing Auricular Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage to Modulate Neuroinflammation and Improve Outcomes
  Role: PI
  2020-2021
• The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation Cerebrovascular Research Grant
  Implementing Auricular Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage to Modulate Neuroinflammation and Improve Outcome
  Role: PI
  2020-2021
• Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship
  Deep brain stimulation as a novel treatment following traumatic brain injury: An immunohistochemical analysis for promotion of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity.
  Role: Fellow, Mentor: Emad Eskandar, MD
  2014-2015

Honors & awards

• Washington University Department of Neurosurgery Annual Research Symposium Presentation Award – Clinical Research, 2022
• Awarded the Venna D. Mummaneni NREF WINS resident award at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Meeting, 2022
• Awarded the Louise Eisenhardt Travel Scholarship at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Meeting, 2022
• Awarded top Basic Science Poster in the Functional Section by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), 2021
• Washington University Department of Neurosurgery Annual Research Symposium Presentation Award – Clinical Research, 2021
• The Robert L. Grubb Jr., MD Clinical Excellence Award, 2019
• Association for Academic Surgery/AASF Student Research Award, 2016
• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Emory University, 2015
• Phi Beta Kappa, Indiana University, 2010
• Cox Research Scholar Program – full expense scholarship, Indiana University, 2007-2011