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Prof Zoran Đogaš, MD, PhD 

Research

Professor Zoran Đogaš is the head of the Neuroscience and sleep research group. Research is carried out in the field of basic and clinical neuroscience, and human and experimental neurophysiology. Since the beginning of its operation, in the Laboratory for Basic Neuroscience, a notable work has been performed in the field of fundamental research of central regulation of respiratory and cardiovascular systems with the emphasis on underlying mechanisms of hypoxia- or hypercapnia-induced respiratory neuroplasticity, which occurs in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Basic research has been performed in an animal model (in vivo), including recordings of phrenic and renal nerve activity in anesthesisted Sprague-Dawley rats.

Laboratory for Human and Experimental Neurophysiology (LAHEN) is equipped with a transcranial magnetic stimulator (TMS) which is used in research of neurophysiologic mechanisms of eloquent cortical regions and other applications used for precise brain mapping. TMS used in conjunction with 3D navigational system provides an accurate and detailed map of eloquent cortical functions identifying it on the standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The use of navigational system and stereotaxic MRI imaging along with TMS permits precise non-invasive cortical stimulation. Sophisticated real time data processing guarantees the accuracy of imaging of the induced electrical field in the brain tissue.

Laboratory for Clinical Neuroscience – Sleep Medicine Center is manly focused at studies of complex pathophysiological interactions underlying sleep breathing disorders using translational and multidisciplinary approach. The research activities are based on gold standard diagnostic procedures in sleep medicine such as whole-night polysomnography and polygraphy recordings in patients with sleep breathing disorders. Our focus in human research is to study neurophysiologic characteristics of OSAS (neural control of breathing, peripheral and sympathetic nerve activity recording) and correlates of cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive changes in OSAS patients before and after CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) treatment or oral appliances (such as mandibular dental splint) treatment.

Prof Maja Valić, MD, PhD, head of laboratory  [CV]
Assoc Prof Renata Pecotić, MD, PhD, associate [CV] 
Ivana Pavlinac Dodig, MD, PhD, postdoc [CV]
Maja Rogić Vidaković, MSLP, PhD, postdoc [CV] 
Linda Lušić Kalcina, MPsych., doctoral student [CV]
Katarina Madirazza, MBiol., doctoral student [CV]
Assoc Prof Nenad Karanović, MD, PhD, associate [CV] 
Assist Prof Mladen Carev, MD, PhD, associate [CV] 
Assist Prof Joško Božić, MD, PhD, associate [CV]
Assist Prof Tea Galić, DMD, PhD, associate [CV]
Mario Mihalj, MD, PhD, associate [CV]
Natalija Ivković, MMed. tech., associate [CV]
Dijana Radanović, BMed. tech., associate [CV]
Jelena Baričević, Chem. tech., professional associate [CV]
Photo gallery 

Future directions

Given the possibility of conducting translational research through a multidisciplinary approach, aim of our research group is to improve methodological procedures in conducting basic research (cell culture, chronic experiments in chambers) and human studies. Our goal is to study the pathophysiological mechanisms and consequences in patients diagnosed with sleep disordered breathing combining various research techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). In collaboration with other research groups of the University of Split (Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture) our goal is to develop mathematical models and algorithms that will investigate electrophysiological changes of the central and peripheral nervous system in patients with sleep disordered breathing.

 

Selected publications and doctoral theses