Jose E. Cavazos, MD, PhD
Associate Dean and Professor
South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program
South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center - Biggs' Institute
Not currently seeking mentors.
Dr. José Cavazos's lab 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 our 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.
We currently are investigating the molecular mechanisms that link the synchronous neuronal hyperexcitability with these morphological events. We investigate 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. We also have several ongoing clinical projects about people with epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease who develop this form of neural plasticity.
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Professional Background
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
Training
- 1997 - Clinical Fellowship - Clinical Neurophysiology / Epilepsy - Duke University
- 1996 - Residency - Neurology (Chief Resident) - Duke University
- 1993 - Internship - Internal Medicine - University of Wisconsin - Madison
Highlights
Elected member of the UT Kenneth Shine Academy of Health Science Education (2020)
Best Doctors in America (2009-2022)
Castle Connolly Best Doctors (2011-2022)
AAMC GREAT MD/PhD section - Chair (2020-2021)
Visiting Professor of Neurology - Cleveland Clinic (01/2019)
AES Distinguished Service Award (2017)Appointments
- 6/2014 - Director for the CTSA KL-2 Program - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
- 9/2012 - Assistant Dean for MD/PhD Program - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
- 9/2011 - Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience and Physiology (with Tenure) - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
- 9/2005 - Program Director of Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship (PGY-5) - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
- 04/2022 - Associate Dean for Research, GME programs - Long School of Medicine, Uni
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- Instruction & Training
- Research & Grants
- Clinical
- Service
- Publications