James W. Russell, M.D.
Associate Professor of Neurology
(734) 763-3776; jruss@umich.edu

James Russell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Michigan and a Research Scientist with the Ann Arbor Geriatric Research and Clinical Center. After completing internal medicine training and obtaining Membership to the Royal College of Physicians of London, Dr. Russell completed a neurology residency at the University of Iowa, and Fellowships at NIH and the Mayo Clinic, where he trained in peripheral nerve disease. He is actively involved in both basic-translational and clinical research in neurological disease, with a focus on diabetic neuropathy. His research focuses on mechanisms resulting in one of the major complications of diabetes - diabetic neuropathy. Dr. Russell is currently studying mechanisms of oxidative injury in neurons and Schwann cells in cell culture, and in animal models of diabetes. Dorsal root ganglion neurons provide the sensory input into the peripheral nerve, while Schwann cells insulate the axons that grow from the dorsal root ganglion neurons. Together, they form the peripheral nerve. He is interested in understanding the mechanisms of oxidative injury in the neuron and Schwann cell and how Schwann cells regulate axonal injury in models of diabetic neuropathy. Understanding these basic mechanisms of glucose-induced injury in the peripheral nerve will allow more rational design of treatments for diabetic neuropathy. Dr. Russell works with his colleagues, in the JDRF Center for Excellence Clinical Trials Center at the University of Michigan, to develop novel new target therapies for type I diabetic complications.

Publications:
For a list of recent publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.