KC Brennan
Professor of Neurology and Adjunct Professor of Neurobiology
Optical and electrophysiological investigation of the basic mechanisms of migraine
![Brennan_KC Brennan KC](/faculty/Brennan/brennankc.jpg)
Molecular Biology Program
Education
B.A. Georgetown University
M.D. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Medicine
Research
K.C. Brennan, MD, is a clinician scientist who specializes in the treatment of headache. disorders. His lab studies the basic mechanisms of migraine and post-traumatic headache.
Optical and electrophysiological investigation of the basic mechanisms of migraine
Dr. Brennan's laboratory studies derangements of brain excitability. A particular interest is cortical spreading depression (CSD), a wave of runaway excitation that is thought to be the basis of the migraine aura. CSD is also involved in traumatic brain injury, stroke, and epilepsy.
The lab uses a combination of techniques including optical intrinsic signal imaging and spectroscopy, voltage sensitive dye imaging, two-photon microscopy, and electrophysiology to study CSD and the disorders it affects.