John C. Nicholson

John C. Nicholson, PhD, is a Research Professor and Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience and Physiology at the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He holds a PhD from the University of Keele. His research focuses on understanding molecular diffusion in the brain's extracellular microenvironment and its implications for nonsynaptic signaling and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and ischemia. Key methodologies include tetramethylammonium-selective microelectrodes and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry.

His work explores diffusion hindrance by cellular structures, dopamine’s nonlinear uptake in the striatum via Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the glymphatic system’s role in brain clearance. Recent publications highlight porous media models of the brain’s interstitial space, chloride dynamics in the extracellular matrix, and volume pulsations linked to epileptiform activity in mice.

Dr. Nicholson has contributed to over 124 publications, advancing computational modeling (e.g., Monte Carlo simulations) and collaborative studies on cerebral fluid dynamics. His research bridges biophysics and clinical neuroscience, with implications for treating brain pathologies.