Dr. Tshala-Katumbay earned his M.D. degree (Neurology) from the University of Kinshasa, Zaire, and a Ph.D. degree (Neurology) from the University of Uppsala in the city of Uppsala, Sweden. He has developed expertise in tropical neurology and neuro-epidemiology, clinical neurotoxicology, and experimental neurotoxicolgy. Dr. Tshala-Katumbay has worked with underserved communities of the sub-Saharan Africa and initiated collaboration with various academic institutions internationally. He has developed good understanding of principles and pitfalls in international aid, collaboration, and health interventions. Being with a special interest in global health and research capacity building in the developing world, Dr. Tshala-Katumbay is involved with IBRO — the International Brain Research Organization, an umbrella organization of the societies for neurosciences — to lecture on neuroscience topics and mentor students with interest in global partnership in sciences. He also serves as a member of the Committee on Aid and Education in Neurochemistry/International Society of Neurochemistry to help develop basic neurosciences in the developing world.

His current lines of research focus on:

• Exploring the mechanisms of toxicant-induced axonopathy : this line of research exploits the biochemical properties of neurotoxic compounds to identify molecular targets e.g. neuroproteins and pathways associated with nerve fiber (axonal degeneration), the pathological hallmark of several neurological diseases including the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig disease) of which the pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. The current work is conducted with neuroprotein reactants and neurotoxic γ-diketones 1,2-diacetylbenzene (1,2-DAB) and 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD), active metabolites of aromatic solvent 1,2diethylebezene and n-hexane, respectively. Non-protein reactant and non-axonopathic δ-diketones isomers serve as negative controls in the experimental design. We are interested functional, morphological, and omic based approaches to study mechanisms by which these neurotoxicants cause the nerve fiber (axon) to degenerate.



Young boy affected by konzo, a spastic paraparesis associated with cassava cyanogenic exposure in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Exploring the mechanisms underlying the susceptibility of the motor system to naturally existing food toxicants. Most research is conducted on konzo (see picture at right), a distinct upper motor neuron associated with heavy reliance on insufficiently processed bitter cassava as staple food.

The mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of the motor neuron system are poorly understood. While genetic predisposition factors play an important role in the host susceptibility to diseases, they may not be sufficient for an overt disease to occur. The fact that environmental factors may act as triggering factors in several cases e.g. in motor system pathology is currently of high scientific interest and relevance to human health. We have extensively characterized the phenotype (clinical, epidemiology, and neurophysiology) of konzo and are in the process of developing laboratory models to enhance understanding of its physiopathology.

D. Tshala-Katumbay and Spencer P. Toxic disorders of the upper motor neuron system. In: Eisen A. and Shaw P. (Eds), Handbook of Clinical Neurology: Motor Neuron and Related Diseases. Elsevier, Edinburgh, pp 353-74, 2007.

Tshala-Katumbay, D.D., Palmer, V.S., Kayton, R.J., Sabri, M.I. and Spencer, P.S. Monocyclic and dicyclic hydrocarbon neurotoxicity: structural requirements for giant proximal axonopathy. Acta Neuropathologica 2006, 112: 317-324.

Tshala-Katumbay, D.D., Palmer, V.S., Kayton, R.J., Sabri, M.I. and Spencer, P.S. A new murine model of giant proximal axonopathy. Acta Neuropathologica 2005, 109: 405-410.

Karin Edebol Eeg-oloffson and D. Tshala-Katumbay. Konzo. In: Eisen A. (Ed.), Handbook of Clinical Neurophysiology: Clinical Neurophysiology of Motor Neuron Diseases. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 608-617, 2004.

Jean Claude K Mwanza, Desire Tshala-Katumbay, David L. Kayembe, Karin Edebol Eeg-Olofsson, Thorkild Tylleskar. Neuroopthalmologic findings in konzo an upper motor neuron disorder in Africa. Eur J Ophthalmol 2003; 13: 383-389.

D. Tshala-Katumbay. Edebol Eeg-Olofsson, K. Kazadi, T. Tylleskar, T. Peo Falmmar. Analysis of motor pathways involvement in konzo using transcranial electrical and magnetic stimulation. Muscle Nerve 2002, 25, 230-235.

D. Tshala-katumbay, K. Edebol Eeg-Olofsson, K. Kazadi, Kayembe K, T. Tylleskar, Peo Falmmar. Abnormalities of somatosensory evoked potentials in konzo - an upper motor neuron disorder. Clinical Neurophysiology, 2002, 113, 10-15.

D. Tshala-Katumbay, K. Kazadi, T. Tylleskar, K. Edebol Eeg-Olofsson. Impairments, disabilities and handicap pattern in konzo – a non-progressive spastic para/tetraparesis. Disability and Rehabilitation 2001, 23 (16), 731-736.

D. Tshala, L.Mutombo, K. Edebol Eeg-Olofsson EEG findings in konzo - a spastic para/tetraparesis of acute onset. Clinical Electroencephalography 2000; 31 (4), 196-200.