William Tyor, M.D.

Professor, Departments of Neurology and Microbiology and Immunology,
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.

Phone: (843) 792-3221
Fax: (843) 792-5137
Email: tyorwr@musc.edu

Education:

BS, Emory University,1977;
MD, Duke University School of Medicine, 1981;
Internal Medicine Residency, Emory University School of Medicine, 1981-1983;
Neurology Residency, Baylor College of Medicine, 1983-1986;
Fellowship in Neurovirology/Neuroimmunology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1986-88.

Research Interests:

A model of HIV encephalitis in SCID mice is used to study the effects of cocaine administration on the course of this disease. We hypothesized that cocaine would worsen the behavioral and pathological manifestations of HIV encephalitis. However, data suggest that cocaine does not alter learning or memory of these mice even though it increases HIV production. Behavior is measured using activity monitors and Morris Maze testing. Pathology is determined by histochemical staining methods and quantitation of cytokine and HIV mRNA. We also use this model of HIV encephalitis in mice to study whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) penetrates the blood brain barrier and will ameliorate this disease. Treatment also gives us the opportunity to determine whether viral load affects the behavior and pathology seen in these mice. Preliminary data indicate the pathology of HIV encephalitis is improved with treatment and viral load is reduced. Behavioral data are pending.

Selected Publications:

Avgeropoulos N, Kelley B, Middaugh L, Arrigo S, Persidsky Y, Gendelman HE, Tyor WR. SCID mice with HIV encephalitis develop behavioral abnormalities. J Acq Immun Def Syn Hum Retrovirol 1998;18:13-20.

Avgeropoulos N, Burris G, Ohlandt G, Wesselingh S, Markham R, Tyor WR: Potential relationships between the presence of HIV, macrophages and astrogliosis in SCID mice with HIV encephalitis. J NeuroAIDS. 1998;2:1-20.

Tyor WR, Middaugh LD. Do drugs of abuse alter the onset and course of HIV-associated dementia complex? J Leukocyte Biol. 1999. 65:475-481.

Shields DC, Avgeropoulos NG, Banik NL, Tyor WR. Acute multiple sclerosis characterized by extensive mononuclear phagocyte infiltration. Neurochem Research. 2000. 25:1517-1520.

Tyor WR, Avgeropoulos N, Ohlandt G, Hogan EL. Treatment of spinal cord injury in the rat with Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1. J Neurol Sci. 2002. 200: 33-41.