Stephanie Perez
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ph.D., Neuroscience
UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
Lab: 210-567-4273
Email: perezsm@uthscsa.edu
Lab Association: Daniel Lodge, Ph.D.
Research Interests
• schizophrenia | • dopamine |
• hippocampus | • neuroscience |
• electrophysiology | • optogenitcs |
Research Summary
Evidence supports the hypothesis that a pathological increase in hippocampal output drives hyperactivity of the mesolimbic dopamine system in rodent models of schizophrenia. Previously, we have demonstrated that aberrant dopamine system function and associated behaviors can be restored with cell based therapies, as well as, by directly (TTX inactivation, deep brain stimulation) and indirectly (vagal nerve stimulation) targeting the ventral hippocampus. We are now utilizing an optogenetic approach combined with electrophysiology to determine whether afferents differentially regulate discrete populations of VTA dopamine neurons and whether these discrete subpopulations are differentially regulated in rodent models of schizophrenia and drug sensitization. We believe that dopamine neuron subpopulations are differentially affected by afferent modulation in various disease states, possibly explaining the differences we observe in symptomology of diseases that exhibit hyperactivity of the mesolimbic dopamine system. We believe these data will help us to better understand subtle differences in discrete dopamine neuron subpopulations that contribute to the symptoms of schizophrenia and drug sensitization, ultimately, establishing better, more targeted therapies for various disease states.
Accomplishments, Awards and Honors
- San Antonio Life Science Institute (SALSI) Postdoctoral Scholar – 2016
- William Thomas Booth Memorial Travel Award – 2016
- Pharmacology/Neuroscience Award for Academic Excellence – UT Health San Antonio – 2014
- The Armand J. Guarino Award for Academic Excellence -UT Health San Antonio – 2014
- Commencement Speaker – St. John Bosco School – San Antonio, TX. – May, 2014
- Center for Biomedical Neuroscience Retreat Post-Doctoral Poster Award -UT Health San Antonio – May, 2014
- Pharmacology Neuroscience Graduate Student of the Year -UT Health San Antonio – October, 2013
- Graduate Student Panel – Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Health Disparities Researcher Information and Training Workshop – UTSA – June, 2013
- ‘Jennifer Torres Shining Star Award’ – Seton Home – May, 2013
- Meeting Panelist, Blueprint Initiative ‘Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences’ (BP-ENDURE) – Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting – October, 2012
- Best Student Poster Presentation – 19th Annual Pharmacology Graduate Student Symposium – October, 2012
- Best Poster Presentation – Alamo Chapter Society for Neuroscience 2010 Chapter Retreat – October, 2010
Appointments, Boards, Committees and Memberships
- Society for Neuroscience (SfN) – 2009-Present
- Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) – 2013-Present
- Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) – 2013-Present
Grants, Funding and Research Support
1F31MH098564-01A1 – 03/2013 thru 04/2014 – NIH/NIMH
Restoration of GABAergic function in a Rodent Model of Schizophrenia – The major goals of this project are to examine the effects of GABAergic precursor cell transplants on hippocampal firing rate, dopamine system function, and associated behaviors, in a rodent model of schizophrenia
Selected Publications
- Perez, SM. and Lodge, DJ. (2014) New approaches to the management of schizophrenia: focus on aberrant hippocampal drive of dopamine pathways. Drug Design, Development and Therapy 8:887-896
- Perez, SM., Carreno, F., Frazer, A. and Lodge, DJ. (2014) Vagal nerve stimulation reverses aberrant dopamine system function in the MAM rodent model of schizophrenia. Journal of Neuroscience 34(28):9261-7
- Boley, AM., Perez, SM. and Lodge, DJ. (2014) A fundamental role for hippocampal parvalbumin in the dopamine hyperfunction associated with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res. 157(1-3):238-43
- Perez, SM., Chen, L. and Lodge, DJ. Alterations in dopamine system function across the estrous cycle of the MAM rodent model of schizophrenia. Psychoneuroendocrinology 47:88-97
- Chen, L., Perez, SM. and Lodge, DJ. (2014) An augmented dopamine system function is present prior to puberty in the MAM rodent model of schizophrenia. Dev Neurobiol 74(9):907-17
- Selected Abstracts
- Boley, AM., Perez, SM. and Lodge, DJ. Prefrontal Cortical Interneuron Transplants Reverse Deficits in Reversal Learning in a Rodent Model of Schizophrenia. Program No. 229.21 – 2014 Neuroscience Meeting Planner – Washington, D.C.: Society for Neuroscience, Online
- Perez, SM., Carreno, F., Frazer, A. and Lodge DJ. Vagal Nerve Stimulation as a Novel Therapy for the Treatment of Schizophrenia. 4th Biennial Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference Program – Florence, Italy: Schizophrenia International Research Society, 2014
- Perez, SM. and Lodge, DJ. Schizophrenia-like phenotype inherited by the F2 generation of a gestational disruption rodent model. Program No. 346.08. – 2013 Neuroscience Meeting Planner – San Diego, CA.: Society for Neuroscience, Online
- Perez, SM. and Lodge, DJ. Hippocampal Interneuron Transplants Restore Aberrant Dopamine System Function in a Rodent Model of Schizophrenia. Program No. 435.15. – 2012 Neuroscience Meeting Planner – New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, Online
- Perez, SM., Asher, A. and Lodge, DJ. Ventral Hippocampal Deep Brain Stimulation: A Novel Treatment for Schizophrenia? Program No. 568.28. – 2011 Neuroscience Meeting Planner – Washington, D.C.: Society for Neuroscience, Online