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West Virginia University
Lea Colantonio, a senior at West Virginia University majoring in biochemistry, has initiated a research project which investigates blood plasma glutamate levels in patients with post-stroke depression.
This research project is being conducted at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. The project began in 2019 in coordination with Ruby Memorial Hospital's neurology department and Dr. Amelia Adcock and Dr. Jessica Frey. The aim of the project is to gain a better understanding of the pathology and pathogenesis of post-stroke depression, a disease which is not well understood.
The focus of Colantonio's research investigates the relationship between the onset of depression and higher plasma glutamate levels commonly found in blood following an ischemic stroke. Colantonino believes that "Post-stroke depression is a prominent mental disease that needs to be taken seriously by physicians and the individuals who have been diagnosed. The prevalence of the disease is substantial, and the impact on patient recovery could be significantly expedited with a clear understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease itself."
She hopes that findings from her research, including examining amino acid glutamate levels, will raise physicians understanding of post-stroke depression and how to treat the disease to improve the quality of life for post-stroke patients.
Colantonio is dedicating her research to her grandmother Rosemarie Colantonio, who died in May 2016 from complications from a stroke.
A 2017 graduate of Madonna High School, she is the daughter of Mark and LuAnne Colantonio of Weirton.