Jose E. Cavazos, M.D., Ph.D.

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.

• 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

• Instruction & Training

  • 8/2014 - Present, MD/PhD Program - Journal Club, UT Health Science Center San Antonio
  • 6/2011 - Present, MD/PhD Program - Bench to Bedside Seminar Series, UT Health Science Center San Antonio
  • 6/2011 - Present, Clinical Foundations Course, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 6/2011 - Present, Clinical Integration Course, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 8/2010 - Present, CSBL 6058: Neurobiology of Aging, UTHSCSA
  • 10/2005 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
  • 10/2004 - Present, Neurology Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 1/2004 - Present, Fundamentals of Neuroscience II, The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • 7/2001 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
  • 7/2001 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
  • 10/2000 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA
  • 10/2000 - Present, Post-Doctoral Student Supervision, UTHSCSA

• Research & Grants

  Clinical Neurophysiology - Clinical Neurophysiology is a tool to understand patients with Epilepsy. I am the director of the ACGME accredited Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship at our institution.

  Epilepsy - I am a Clinician Scientist in Epilepsy. I have participated in many clinical trials of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and I am an expert in their pharmacology. I also study mechanisms of epileptogenesis in the research laboratory using experimental animal models. I teach Mechanisms of Epilepsy and AEDs to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. I also teach clinical epilepsy to Medical and Pharmacy students, Neurology and Pharmacy residents, and to Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Fellows.

  Research profile

  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

• Service

  Department

  07/2014-Present Clinical Competency Committee, Neurology Residency Training Program (Member)
  10/2005-Present Graduate Medical Education Committee, UTHSCSA, Medicine, Medicine (Member)

  School

  06/2011-Present MD/PhD Advisory Committee (Chair)

  Institutional

  02/2020-02/2022 Ken Shine Academy of Health Science Education - Awards Committee
  05/2015-06/2018 Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) - executive committee member
  06/2011-Present Program Director - South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (STX-MSTP)

  National Service

  07/2016 - 07/2022 AAMC Graduate Research, Education and Training Group
  01/2020 - 12/2022 American Epilepsy Society (AES) - Lennox & Lombroso Trustee
  01/2019 - 12/2022 American Brain Foundation - Research Advisory Committee
  06/2016-07/2022 Association of MD/PhD Programs
  01/2015-12/2018 American Epilepsy Society (AES) Finance Committee
  02/2012-02/2021 American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) - Membership committee

  Community Service

  04/2018-04/2018 Federal Government FDA - Advisory Committee Panel on Cannabidiol
  10/2000-Present Community Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas - Professional Advisory Committee

  Global

  12/2018 - 12/2022 International American Epilepsy Society (AES) Spanish Symposium committee
  06/2015-05/2019 International American Academy of Neurology (AAN), Science Committee member
  07/2013-06/2017 International International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) for the North American Region
  01/2010-Present International Editorial Board Member - Epilepsy and Behavior
  01/2009-Present International Editorial Board Member - Epilepsy Research

• Publications

  Abstract

  Van Mierlo P, Lie OV, Szabo CA, Cavazos JE, Vandenberghe S. Effect of electrode montage on functional connectivity during an epileptic seizure; 2014 Jun. (2014 Organization for Human Mapping Annual Meeting). Lie OV, Cavazos JE. EEG source imaging of interictal spikes in a patient with focal cortical dysplasia; 2013 Jun. (J Clin Neurophysiol; vol. 30, no. 3). Mukundan L, Jetter G, Moreno L, Rogers S, Gentry W, Carlson S, Cavazos JE. Homocysteinemia associated with anti-epileptic medications- A retrospective study of clinical practice; 2012 Apr. (Neurology; vol. 78). Velez AM, Morgan L, Karkar K, Gherman E, Cavazos JE, Szabo CA. Does Treatment of Depression Before Neurosurgical Intervention For Epilepsy Improve Surgical Outcome?; 2011 Dec. (Abstract No 3.290, 2011, American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, www.aesnet.org">http://www.aesnet.org">www.aesnet.org). Szabo CA, Cavazos JE, Morgan L, Rosales SJ. Epilepsy Partnerships that work: The South Texas Border? Rio Grande Valley Region; 2011 Jan. (Epilepsy Currents). Ntsoane E, Szabo CA, Morgan LC, Mayes BN, Cavazos JE, Bazan C, Cortez A, McCoy KJ, Caron JL. Clinical significance of persistent Fetal PCA in Epilepsy surgery candidates; 2009 Jan. (Neurology; vol. 72). Morgan LC, Cavazos JE, Mayes BN, Szabo CA. Electroclinical and Psychiatric Features of Frontal Opercular Epilepsy: a Report of Five Surgical Cases; 2008 Jan. (Epilepsia (American Epilepsy Society Meeting)). Cross DJ, Jetter GM, Mayes BN, Morgan LC, Szabo CA, Brenner R, Cavazos JE. Interictal high frequency oscillations in temporal lobe epilepsy might predict the location of seizure onset zone; 2008 Jan. (Epilepsia (American Epilepsy Society Meeting)). Yaltho, TC, Gullapalli, BS, Mayes BN, Cavazos JE, Szabo CA. One-Year Outcome of Resective Epilepsy Surgery; 2007 Jan. (Epilepsia (American Epilepsy Society Meeting)). Gullanpalli BS, Cavazos JE, Yaltho TC, Mayes BN, Szabo CA. Epileptic Auras and the Outcome of Temporal Lobectomy; 2007 Jan. (Epilepsia (American Epilepsy Society Meeting)). Szabo CA, Vollmer DG, Cavazos JE, Mayes BN. Electrocortical Mapping of the Occipital Lobe with Subdural Electrodes: Results in Four Patients; 2002 Jan. (Epilepsia (American Epilepsy Society Meeting)).

  Book Chapter

  Cavazos JE. Chapter 16: SUDEP and Other Risks of Seizures. In: Husain AM, Tran TT. Department of Veterans Affairs: Epilepsy Manual. 2014. p. 205-209. Rogers SJ, Cavazos JE. Chapter 40: Epilepsy. In: DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey LM. DiPiro`s Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach - 9th Edition. New York, NY, USA: McGraw-Hill/Medical Publishing Division; 2014. p. 855-882.

  Journal Article

  Szabo CA, Morgan LC, Karkar KM, Leary LD, Lie OV, Girouard M, Cavazos JE. Electromyography-based seizure detector: preliminary results comparing a generalized tonic-clonic seizure detection algorithm to video-EEG recordings Epilepsia 2015 Sep;56(9):1432-1437. Wang Z, Li X, Powers A, Cavazos JE. Outcomes associated with switching from monotherapy to adjunctive therapy for patients with partial onset seizures Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research 2015 Apr;15(2):349-355. Barron DS, Fox PT, Pardoe H, Lancaster J, Price LR, Blackmon K, Berry K, Cavazos JE, Kuzniecky R, Devinsky O, Thesen T. Thalamic functional connectivity predicts seizure laterality in individual TLE patients: application of a biomarker development strategy Neuroimage Clin 2015 Jan;7:273-280. Margolis JM, Chu BC, Wang ZJ, Copher R, Cavazos JE. Effectiveness of antiepileptic drug combination therapy for partial-onset seizures based on mechanisms of action JAMA Neurol 2014 Aug;71(8):985-993. Burneo JG, Cavazos JE. Neurocysticercosis and epilepsy Epilepsy Currents 2014 Jan;14(1 Sup):23-28. Burneo JG, Delgado JC, Steven DA, Vasquez CM, Alonso-Vanegas MA, Cavazos JE, Mija L, Zapata W, Portilla L. A collaborative effort to establish a comprehensive epilepsy program in Peru Epilepsy and Behavior 2013 Jan;26(1):96-99. Cella D, Lai JS, Nowinski DJ, Victorson D, Peterman A, Miller D, Bethoux F, Heinemann A, Rubin S, Cavazos JE, Reder A, Sufit R, Simuni T, Holmes GL, Siderowf A, Wojna V, Bode R, McKinney N, Podrabsky T, Wortman K, Choi S, Gershon R, Rothrock N, Moy C. Neuro-QOL: Brief Measures of Health-related Quality of Life for Clinical Research in Neurology Neurology 2012 Jan;78(23):1860-1867. Zhang K, Tolstykh GP, Sanchez RM, Cavazos JE. Chronic cellular hyperexcitability in elderly epileptic rats with spontaneous seizures induced by Kainic Acid Status Epilepticus while young adults Aging and Disease 2011 Nov;.

  Review Article

  Lie OV, Cavazos JE. Responsive neurostimulation in epilepsy therapy: some answers, lingering questions Epilepsy and Behavior 2014 May;34:25-28. Tolstykh GP, Cavazos JE. Potential Mechanisms of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Epilepsy and Behavior 2013 Mar;26(3):410-414.

• Clinical

  Provider profile

  Board Certifications

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