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Jose E. Cavazos, MD, PhD

Research Education Core Leader

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.

  • Education

    2016 - Certificate - Business of Health (Summa Cum Laude) - University of Texas at San Antonio
    1993 - PhD - Neuroscience (Cum Laude) - University of Wisconsin at Madison
    1987 - MD - Medicine (Mencion Honorifica - Cum Laude) - Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey

    Board Certifications
    American Board of P&N/Neurology
    American Board of P&N/Clinical Neurophysiology

  • Research

    Grants

    01/2020 – 11/2023 (NIH) Developing an Evidence-Based Toolkit to Improve Diversity in the Physician-Scientist Workforce. Co-Investigator
    04/2018 – 06/2023 (National) South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (STX-MSTP). Principal Investigator
    04/2015 – 03/2018 (Department of Defense/CDMRP) Novel Strategies Targeting Signaling Molecules of Neurons and Astrocytes to Prevent Acquired Epilepsies after Traumatic Brain Injury. Co-Investigator
    05/2013-04/2018 (NIH/NCATS) Institute for Integration of Medicine & Science (IIMS): A Partnership to Improve Health (KL2 Mentored Career Development component of the Clinical and Translational Science Award). Co-Investigator

  • Publications