Research Team Members
Jose E. Cavazos, MD, PhD
The lab of Jose E. Cavazos, MD, PhD, studies activity-dependent plasticity in the hippocampal formation in the developing, adult, and aged brain using a variety of experimental models of epilepsy, seizures, epileptogenesis, Alzheimer’s disease and hippocampal sclerosis. Previous studies from his laboratory have shown that repeated seizures induce progressive neuronal death and axon sprouting that permanently alter the hippocampal circuitry lending it more susceptible to additional seizures and memory and cognitive dysfunction. In aged models, some hippocampal neurons appeared more vulnerable to disease leading to similar cognitive dysfunction.
His lab is currently investigating the molecular mechanisms that link the synchronous neuronal hyperexcitability with these morphological events. The lab investigates the features of this form of neural plasticity in other limbic circuitries using anatomical tracing techniques, and their electrophysiological consequences in the neuronal excitability of the abnormally connected circuitry using brain slices and in-vivo using electrophysiological and neuroimaging techniques. His lab also has several ongoing clinical projects about people with epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease who develop this form of neural plasticity.
Research Areas
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Research Profile
Geoffrey D. Clarke, PhD
Research Interests
Cardiovascular Imaging Physics including magnetic resonance imaging of coronary flow and flow reserve, regional myocardial blood volume, left ventricular function, myocardial perfusion, epicardial fat, and vascular imaging agents.
In-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy including phosphorus-31 MRS in skeletal muscle, hydrogen-1 MRS of lipids in skeletal muscle, myocardial muscle, and liver.
Magnetic resonance imaging physics – design of RF coils, MRI pulse programming; clinical MRI quality control tests & standards.
Research Areas
Biological & Innovative Research
Thiago Macedo e Cordeiro, MD, MS
Research Areas