Frank Gordon , Ph.D.   Associate Professor                   Emory University School of Medicine         5011 Rollins Research Center         1510 Clifton Road         Atlanta, GA 30322-3090         Tel: 404-727-5893         Fax: 404-727-0365         fgordon@emory.edu                   Ph.D., University of Iowa, 1980         Postdoctoral Fellow, The Cardiovascular Center, University of Iowa, 1980-82         Emory University, 1982           American Heart Association - Established Investigator, 1988-93       Research Interest:                   Neuroimmunology, CNS control of cardiovascular function. Research is directed toward identifying central nervous system pathways, neurotransmitters and synaptic receptors that participate in central autonomic, immune, and endocrine regulation. Major questions include identifying the neurohumoral signals that inform the brain of the body's internal state, and the mechanisms by which the brain directs and controls visceral function. Bi-directional communication between the immune system, cardiovascular system, and the brain are major research areas. A multidisciplinary approach is taken in the laboratory and a variety of experimental techniques and approaches are employed in these studies. These include pharmacological and electrical activation of the central nervous system and electrophysiological recording of CNS and peripheral neural activity while recording blood pressure, heart rate, and endocrine or immune status. Neuroanatomical methods include anterograde and retrograde tract tracing techniques and immunocytochemical localization of neurotransmitters and immediate early gene products. Many studies have concentrated on characterizing the CNS mechanisms responsible for brain control of blood pressure. A more recent focus includes mechanisms by which the brain recognizes peripheral bacterial or viral infection and mounts coordinated compensatory reactions to combat them.               Publications