Recent peer-reviewed publications:
- The Effect of DREADD Activation of Leptin Receptor Positive Neurons in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract on Sleep Disordered Breathing. Amorim MR, Dergacheva O, Fleury-Curado T, Pho H, Freire C, Mendelowitz D, Branco LGS, Polotsky VY. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jun 23;22(13):6742. doi: 10.3390/ijms22136742. PMID: 34201760 Free PMC article.
- Leptin receptor expression in the dorsomedial hypothalamus stimulates breathing during NREM sleep in db/db mice. Pho H, Berger S, Freire C, Kim LJ, Shin MK, Streeter SR, Hosamane N, Cabassa ME, Anokye-Danso F, Dergacheva O, Amorim MR, Fleury-Curado T, Jun JC, Schwartz AR, Ahima RS, Mendelowitz D, Polotsky VY. Sleep. 2021 Jun 11;44(6):zsab046. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsab046. PMID: 33624805 Free PMC article.
- Activation of Oxytocin Neurons Improves Cardiac Function in a Pressure-Overload Model of Heart Failure. Dyavanapalli J, Rodriguez J, Rocha Dos Santos C, Escobar JB, Dwyer MK, Schloen J, Lee KM, Wolaver W, Wang X, Dergacheva O, Michelini LC, Schunke KJ, Spurney CF, Kay MW, Mendelowitz D. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2020 May 25;5(5):484-497. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2020.03.007. eCollection 2020 May. PMID: 32478209 Free PMC article.
- GABA and glycine neurons from the ventral medullary region inhibit hypoglossal motoneurons. Dergacheva O, Fleury-Curado T, Polotsky VY, Kay M, Jain V, Mendelowitz D. Sleep. 2020 Jun 15;43(6):zsz301. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsz301.
Research
My research focuses on the neurophysiology of the cardiorespiratory functions and alterations the central mechanisms underlying abnormalities in the respiratory and cardiac functions that occur in disorders such as sleep apneas and sudden infant death syndrome. I have a broad background in the neurophysiology of sleep which helps me to elucidate the relationship between behavioral states (and their central mechanisms) of sleep-wake cycle and changes in the cardiorespiratory function evoked by respiratory diseases. My interests include sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons in the brainstem as well as hypoglossal motoneurons that directly project to and control tongue muscles and upper airway patency. In my research, I use multiple approaches including in-vitro techniques, innovative optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches, animal models of obstructive sleep apnea, and whole-body plethysmography. My recent studies have focused on the role of leptin and oxytocin pathways and receptors in the regulation of breathing and engagement of leptin and oxytocin targets for treating obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders.
Grants
- Title of Grant: Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Alters a REM Sleep Pathway to Parasympathetic Cardiac Neurons in the Brainstem.
- Funding Agency: Sleep Research Society Foundation
- Dates of Award: August, 2012- July, 2013
- Role (PI, Co-PI, etc.): PI
- Title of Grant: Restoration of Cardiac Parasympathetic Activity in Heart Failure
- Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health, 1 R01 HL146169-02
- Dates of Award: 6/1/16 – 5/31/20
- PI: David Mendelowitz
- My Role: Co-Investigator
- Title of Grant: Hypothalamic Neuron Activation to Blunt Myocardial Remodeling During Chronic Sleep Apnea
- Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health, 1R01HL147279-01
- Dates of Award: 12/1/18 – 11/31/2022
- PI: Matt Kay
- My Role: Co-Investigator
- Title of Grant: Novel Mechanisms That Restore Cardiac Parasympathetic Activity Limits Arrhythmias and Cardiac Dysfunction After Myocardial Infarction
- Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health, 1R01HL133862-04
- Dates of Award: 04/10/2020-03/31/2024
- MPI: David Mendelowitz
- My Role: Co-Investigator
- Title of Grant: Treatment of Sleep Apnea by Targeting Leptin Signaling
- Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health, 2R01 HL128970-05
- Dates of Award: 04/01/2020-03/31/2024
- PI: Vsevolod Polotsky
- PI of subcontract: David Mendelowitz
- My Role: Co-Investigator
Teaching
Lectures in:
- BME382
- PHARM8214
- PHARM8281
Courses taught: