Concussion research experts

Several experts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and UW Health can talk about concussion research. “Concussion,” a new movie starring Will Smith, will be released Dec. 25.

Genetics professors Barry Ganetzky and David Wassarman are studying concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) using a fruit fly model. Through this work, they have identified 100 genes involved in the fly response to TBI, as well as a number of promising potential medical interventions for concussion patients. Ganetzky can be reached at ganetzky@wisc.edu, (608) 263-2404. Wassarman can be reached at dawassarman@wisc.edu, (608) 262-6648. (Email preferred.)

Misha Perouansky, a professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, is collaborating with Ganetzky and Wassarman to use the duo’s fly concussion model to explore how anesthesia may impact medical outcomes for people with traumatic brain injury who need to undergo surgery due to car accidents, falls, sports injuries, etc. Perouansky can be reached at mperouansky@wisc.edu, (608) 262-2903.

David Bernhardt (Departments of Pediatrics, and Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Division of Sports Medicine) specializes in primary care sports medicine and is a team physician for the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department. He has expertise in the management of sport-related head injuries and was an outspoken advocate for new legislation in Wisconsin designed to help decrease the number of repeat concussions in young athletes. Bernhardt can be reached at dtbernhardt@pediatrics.wisc.edu or by contacting Emily Kumlien in the UW Health Public Affairs Office: ekumlien@uwhealth.org or (608) 516-9154.

Greg Landry specializes in pediatric and adolescent primary care sports medicine and served as a team physician for the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department from 1984-2015. His special interests include concussions in athletes and pediatric sports medicine. He recently coauthored a policy statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics on youth tackling in football. Landry can be reached at gllandry@pediatrics.wisc.edu or by contacting Toni Morrissey in the UW Health Public Affairs office: tmorrissey@uwhealth.org or (608) 263-3223.