SUMMARY
The research of Osama A. Abulseoud, M.D., spans clinical studies and animal models in bipolar disorder, drug addiction, and post-COVID neuropsychiatric disorder. Dr. Abulseoud uses methodologies such as human brain imaging, deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, rodent behavioral paradigms, molecular techniques, and single-cell transcriptomics. He investigates neuropathologic mechanisms and identifies potential therapeutic targets for psychiatric conditions.
Focus areas
- Post-COVID neuropsychiatric disorder. Dr. Abulseoud's research on COVID-19 explores clinical manifestations and neurobiological alterations underlying post-COVID syndrome. His previous studies have revealed that serum ferritin concentrations are attenuated in critically ill older adults with COVID-19 and comorbid psychiatric conditions. Based on these findings, Dr. Abulseoud is investigating melatonin as a ferroptosis inhibitor with potential therapeutic effects for post-COVID brain aging and neurodegeneration.
- Alcohol and drug addiction. Dr. Abulseoud studies the dose-dependent relationship between social drinking and brain aging, with an emphasis on sex differences in alcohol's impact on structural brain aging and cognitive function. He also is focused on glutamatergic dysregulation during alcohol withdrawal, which can be corrected with ceftriaxone. Additionally, he investigates the effects of short-term nicotine deprivation on brain glutamate concentration and functional connectivity.
- Bipolar disorder. Dr. Abulseoud uses a rodent model to induce maniclike behaviors in rats, providing a model for studying mania. This model allows his research team to study multiple behavioral and mechanistic aspects of mania — for example, whether standard antimanic medications are effective in reducing certain manic behaviors.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Abulseoud's research improves patient care by helping develop new treatments for psychiatric conditions. His work on post-COVID syndrome aims to find possible new ways to use melatonin and similar compounds to help with brain recovery. Dr. Abulseoud also studies alcohol and drug addiction to create effective treatments for withdrawal symptoms and substance use disorders and improve outcomes for people with these conditions.
Professional highlights
- Director's Award for COVID Vaccine Efforts, National Institutes of Health, 2022.
- Academic editor, PLOS One, 2010-2021.
- Distinguished Colleague, Teacher and Clinician at Mayo Clinic, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 2012.
- Best Grand Rounds Presentation at Mayo Graduate Program, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 2011.