
Dr. Rus is an Associate Professor with the Department of Neurology at the University of Maryland Medical School. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis. He sees patients one day a week as well as runs a research laboratory. Dr. Rus also paticipate and direct clinical trials in investigating new drug therapies for Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Rus research is funded by the National Institute of Health, Veterans Administration and National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Dr. Rus’s specific laboratory research lies in understanding the mechanisms of oligodendrocyte cell death through a process called apoptosis. Oligodendorcytes are special cells in the brain that make myelin. Myelin is wrapped around nerve fibers and helps increase the speed of nerve transmission. It is felt that injury or death of oligodendrocytes contributes to the MS disease process. In MS there are periods of time when the disease is most active. The hallmark of active MS is inflammation. During the active, inflammatory phase of multiple sclerosis, oligodendrocytes undergo apoptosis (or cell death). There are less oligodendrocytes therefore less ability to make myelin. This can contribute to the demyelinating process and the accumulation of disability.
In Dr. Rus’s lab, he and his colleagues have shown that proteins once thought to only contribute to the destructive process in MS also may contribute to the prevention of oligodendrocyte death. Dr. Rus and his colleagues recently discovered and produced a new protein involved in activation of cell cycle in oligodendrocytes. They are now searching for ways to introduce these new findings into potential treatments for MS.
Dr. Rus sees patients in the Neurology Ambulatory Center on Tuesday afternoons. To make an appointment please call 410-328-5858.
| Administrative Office Address: | Patient Appointment Address: |
| Maryland Center for MS 11 South Paca St., 4th floor Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone 410-328-5605 Fax 410-328-5425 |
Neurology Ambulatory Center 16 South Eutaw Street, 3rd floor Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone 410-328-5858 Fax 410-328-1149 |
| Education and Training: | |
| 1980 |
University of Medicine and Pharmacy, M.D.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
| 1992 |
University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ph.D. Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
| 1980-1985 |
Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic nr. 1 Cluj-Napoca, Romania |
| 1985-1988 |
Clinical Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology Cantacuzino Institute Bucharest, Romania |
| 1999-2002 |
1999-2002 Resident in Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Baltimore, MD |
| 2002-2003 |
2002-2003 Fellow, Neuroimmunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Neurology Baltimore, MD |
| Certifications | |
| Licensed in Maryland- US American Board Of Neurology |
|
| Current Appointments | |
| 1995-2003 |
Assistant Professor in Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine |
| 2003-2007 |
Assistant Professor in Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine |
| 2007- present | Associate Professor of Neurology |
Selected publications and invited reviews (out of 99 published papers)
Clinical Trials