The primary focus of Dr. Patel's research is ischemic preconditioning of neurons. Ischemic preconditioning is a phenomenon wherein brief episodes of ischemia, which in themselves to do not injure neurons, render the brain less vulnerable to subsequent injury. Although the means by which this tolerance is increased is not understood, the available data indicate that NMDA receptor mediated signaling is important. The goal of his laboratory is to identify NMDA receptor mediated signaling that is relevant to preconditioning. To that end, work done in his laboratory has shown that the Src family kinases (SFK) play a central role.
In addition, other pro-survival pathways such as the ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt, also mediate preconditioning. These pro-survival pathways are active in cancer cells. An understanding of how these pathways enhance survival in cancer cells might provide information about how survival of neurons subjected to ischemia can be enhanced.