Bradley Kerr

Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine
Research Director, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine

Contact

Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine
Email
bjkerr@ualberta.ca
Phone
(780) 492-3380
Address
9-28A Medical Sciences Building
8613 - 114 St NW
Edmonton AB
T6G 2H7

Research Director, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine
Email
bjkerr@ualberta.ca

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Neuroscience


About

Dr. Bradley Kerr is currently appointed as Associate Professor (UAH), Adjunct Assistant Professor (Pharmacology) in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.

Research

The development of chronic pain after spinal cord injury or in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major clinical concern. The main focus of research in my laboratory is aimed at addressing the cellular mechanisms that generate neuropathic pain in these conditions. My research uses two primary animal models: a clinically relevant spinal contusion injury model and a mouse model of autoimmune demyelination that resembles MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). My research aims to understand the specific pathways and cellular changes that arise in response to direct trauma or in chronic disease states that may promote the development of neuropathic pain. The lab employs a number of different strategies that include analysis at the cell and molecular levels, as well as systems level approaches to address this complex biological problem. 

Funding Sources 

  • The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
  • National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
  • Canadian Foundation for Innovation
  • University Hospital Fund Lab Staff

Courses

NEURO 410 - Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Designed to provide senior undergraduate students in the Neuroscience program a comprehensive overview on neurobiology of normal aging and the cellular/molecular phenomena that may underlie various age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Aspects of neuronal and glial changes during the normal aging process will be covered. We also intend to include a video presentation of patients with neurodegenerative disorders to outline the impact of cellular/molecular changes on major clinical and psychological features. In addition, papers on the most recent developments in the field of aging research have been integrated into the course. Prerequisites: NEURO 375 or PMCOL 371 or ZOOL 342 or consent from course coordinator. Credit may be obtained for either NEURO 410 or 510 but not both.


NEURO 411 - Clinical and Basic Science Aspects of Age-related Neurodegenerative Disorders

Designed to provide senior undergraduate students in the Neuroscience program a comprehensive overview on neurobiology of various neurodegenerative disorders. Both clinical and basic science aspects of major neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington disease, Prion disease, Motor neuron disease (MND), Frontotemporal Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy will be covered. We also intend to include a video presentation of patients with neurodegenerative disorders to outline major clinical and psychological features. In addition, papers on the most recent developments in the field of aging research have been integrated into the course. Prerequisites: NEURO 375 or PMCOL 371 or ZOOL 342 or consent from course coordinator. Credit may be obtained for either NEURO 411 or 511 but not both.


NEURO 501 - Graduate Research Project

Individual study. Restricted to students in the Neuroscience Graduate Program. Students will spend one term in the laboratory of a faculty member (other than the supervisor) and carry out a laboratory research project. Successful completion of a written report and an oral presentation is required at the conclusion of the project. Prerequisite: consent of the Centre for Neuroscience. Credit may be obtained for only one of either NEURO 500 or NEURO 501.


NEURO 510 - Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Designed to provide graduate students in the Neuroscience program a comprehensive overview of the neurobiology of normal aging and the cellular/molecular phenomena that may underlie various age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Aspects of neuronal and glial changes during the normal aging process will be covered. We also intend to include a video presentation of patients with neurodegenerative disorders to outline the impact of cellular/molecular changes on major clinical and psychological features. In addition, papers on the most recent developments in the field of aging research have been integrated into the course. Prerequisites: NEURO 375 or PMCOL 371 or ZOOL 342 or consent from course coordinator. Credit may be obtained for either NEURO 410 or 510 but not both.


NEURO 511 - Clinical and Basic Science Aspects of Age-related Neurodegenerative Disorders

Designed to provide graduate students in the Neuroscience program a comprehensive overview on neurobiology of various neurodegenerative disorders. Both clinical and basic science aspects of major neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington disease, Prion disease, Motor neuron disease (MND), Frontotemporal Dementia, Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy will be covered. We also intend to include a video presentation of patients with neurodegenerative disorders to outline major clinical and psychological features. In addition, papers on the most recent developments in the field of aging research have been integrated into the course. Prerequisites: NEURO 375 or PMCOL 371 or ZOOL 342 or consent from course coordinator. Credit may be obtained for either NEURO 411 or 511 but not both.


PHYSL 444 - Current Topics in Neuroscience

A lecture course emphasizing contemporary aspects of developmental, cellular, systems and cognitive neurophysiology. Topics will include experience-dependent processes in the development of the nervous system, the molecular and cellular mechanisms for learning and memory, the electrophysiology of rhythmic activity in identified brain circuits, the microphysiology of transmitter secretion, and the representation and transformation of information in the nervous system. Students will be expected to demonstrate a thorough understanding of selected readings from current and classical literature. Suitable for honors students in Physiology, Pharmacology, Psychology and Neuroscience. Prerequisites: PMCOL 371 or ZOOL 342, and PHYSL 372 and consent of Department.


PHYSL 544 - Current Topics in Neuroscience

A lecture course emphasizing contemporary aspects of developmental, cellular, systems and cognitive neurophysiology. Topics will include experience-dependent processes in the development of the nervous system, the molecular and cellular mechanisms for learning and memory, the electrophysiology of rhythmic activity in identified brain circuits, the microphysiology of transmitter secretion, and the representation and transformation of information in the nervous system. Students will be expected to demonstrate a thorough understanding of selected readings from current and classical literature. Suitable for honors students in Physiology, Pharmacology, Psychology and Neuroscience. Prerequisites: consent of Department. Priority given to students registered in a graduate program. Note: this course is not open to students with credit in the corresponding PHYSL 400 level course.


Browse more courses taught by Bradley Kerr

Featured Publications

Dworsky-Fried Z., Faig C.A., Vogel H.A., Kerr B.J., Taylor A.M.W.

PAIN. 2022 January; 163 (1):E49-E61 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002307


Maguire A.D., Bethea J.R., Kerr B.J.

Frontiers in Neurology. 2021 December; 12 10.3389/fneur.2021.780876


Dworsky-Fried Z., Chadwick C.I., Kerr B.J., Taylor A.M.W.

Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2021 September; 15 10.3389/fnins.2021.741503


Hammond B.P., Manek R., Kerr B.J., Macauley M.S., Plemel J.R.

GLIA. 2021 January; 10.1002/glia.24047


Zia S., Rawji K.S., Michaels N.J., Burr M., Kerr B.J., Healy L.M., Plemel J.R.

Frontiers in Immunology. 2020 November; 11 10.3389/fimmu.2020.588021