Research Summary
Dr. Jones-Brando’s research revolves around the Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory’s working theory that an infectious agent plays a crucial role in the etiology of serious psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
She uses classical microbiological, molecular biological and histochemical techniques to examine samples – including brain cells, cerebrospinal fluid, blood components, and throat cultures – to search for parasites, viral particles and macromolecules.
Dr. Jones-Brando also uses virus-host and parasite-host cell systems to study the effects of a variety of compounds – including antipsychotic and mood-stabilizing drugs, plant extracts, nutraceuticals and novel synthetic compound panels – on the in vitro replication and in vivo growth of infectious agents.
Selected Publications
Kannan G, Prandovszky E, Steinfeldt CB, Gressitt KL, Yang C, Yolken RH, Severance EG, Jones-Brando L, Pletnikov MV. “One minute ultraviolet exposure inhibits Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite replication and cyst conversion without diminishing host humoral-mediated immune response.” Exp Parasitol. 2014 Oct;145:110-7. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.08.001. Epub 2014 Aug 14.
Xiao J, Kannan G, Jones-Brando L, Brannock C, Krasnova IN, Cadel JL, Pletnikov M, Yolken RH. “Sex-specific changes in gene expression and behavior induced by chronic Toxoplasma infection in mice.” Neuroscience. 2012 Jan 3.