Miguel A. Perez-Pinzon
Peritz Scheinberg Endowed Professor in Neurology
Miller School of Medicine
perezpinzon@miami.edu
During Dr. Perez-Pinzon’s Ph.D. years, his dissertation project focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which the turtle brain is resistant to anoxia. This early research exposed him to the remarkable ability of certain species to survive extreme oxygen deprivation, sparking his enduring interest in understanding how the mammalian brain might be conditioned to resist ischemic injury. This experience directly led to his pioneering work in the field of ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Since 1995, Dr. Perez-Pinzon has been deeply engaged in advancing the understanding of ischemic tolerance, with a particular focus on IPC. His early work was among the first to demonstrate that brief, non-lethal episodes of ischemia could activate intrinsic protective mechanisms within the brain, significantly improving its ability to survive subsequent severe ischemic insults. He helped define several of the key molecular and cellular pathways involved in IPC, including mitochondrial adaptations, kinase signaling cascades, and gene expression programs that enhance neuronal resilience. This foundational research has provided the scientific underpinnings for efforts to translate conditioning paradigms into clinical strategies aimed at reducing brain damage caused by stroke and cardiac arrest. His laboratory has also made significant contributions to understanding physical exercise as a post-conditioning paradigm, demonstrating its ability to improve cognitive function and promote recovery after cerebral ischemia. His research program integrates molecular, electrophysiological, and behavioral approaches to explore the therapeutic potential of exercise interventions, particularly in models of stroke and vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).
Keywords: ischemia, ischemic pre-conditioning, stroke, cardiac arrest
