Dr. Goverman's primary research objective is to define the fundamental mechanisms that regulate neuroinflammation. Goverman's work focuses on the role of different T cell subsets in the central nervous system, the role of innate immune cells that infiltrate the CNS in regulating T cell response, and the role of glial cells responding to inflammation. Goverman is especially interested in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells mediating CNS injury and inflammation as well as the role of Tim-3 using mouse models. These studies are important to improve our understanding of at least two disorders that result in developmental disabilities. The first is Rasmussen's encephalitis, an autoimmune attack on the CNS that results in severe epilepsy and loss of cortical function. The second is the spectrum of autoimmune mediated demyelinating diseases seen in the pediatric population including acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis.