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Alexandre E. Medina, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
B.Sc. Biology, Santa Ursula University, Brazil (1991)
M.Sc. Zoology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1996)
Ph.D. Biophysics, State University of Rio de Janeiro (2000)
Postdoctoral Training, Virginia Commonwealth University
| Office Address: | | Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology |
| | | Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Campus |
| | | Box 980629 |
| | | Richmond, VA 23298-0709 |
| Office Phone: | | (804) 828-0952 |
| FAX: | | (804) 828-9477 |
| e-mail: | | amedina@vcu.edu |
RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY INTERESTS
My research is focused on the effects of external insults (such as alcohol exposure) on brain development and neuronal plasticity. I am
particularly interested in devising new strategies to enhance neuronal plasticity, which could ameliorate some of the neurological problems
observed in severe cases of mental retardation such as in Fetal alcohol syndrome. These studies used in vivo viral-mediated gene transfer (to
over-express specific NMDA receptor subunits or block/activate transcription factors including CREB and SRF) or pharmacological manipulations
(i.e. phosphodiesterase inhibition). Our findings were obtained using optical imaging of intrinsic signals in tandem with single unit
electrophysiological recordings.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
MEDINA, A.E., KRAHE, T.E. &. RAMOA, A.S. (2006) Restoration of Neuronal Plasticity by a phosphodiesterase Type 1 Inhibitor in a model of Fetal
Alcohol Exposure. J. Neurosci., 26(3):1057-1060.
MEDINA, A.E., KRAHE, T.E. & RAMOA, A.S. (2005) Early alcohol exposure induces persistent alteration of cortical columnar organization and
reduced orientation selectivity in the visual cortex. J. Neurophysiol. 93: 1317-1325
MEDINA, A.E., KRAHE, T.E., COPPOLA, D.M. & RAMOA, A.S. (2003) Neonatal Alcohol Exposure Induces Long-Lasting Impairment of Visual Cortical
Plasticity in Ferrets. J. Neurosci 23 ( 31 ) 10002-12
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