Victor Luna, PhD

Victor Luna

Victor Luna, PhD

  • Lewis Katz School of Medicine

    • Neural Sciences

      • Assistant Professor

    • Alzheimer's Center at Temple

      • Assistant Professor

Research Interests

The Laboratory on Synaptic Aging investigates the neurobiology of cognitive aging using mouse model systems. We aim to identify molecular mechanisms that rejuvenate synapses in the aged brain, with a clear view towards translating these findings to pharmacological treatments that could rescue memory impairments due to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

We employ an integrative approach where: 1) translatable memory impairments are modeled in old mice, 2) underlying synaptic mechanisms are identified using electrophysiology, optogenetics, and chemogenetics, and 3) their therapeutic potential assessed using targeted gene manipulation and photopharmacology.

Additionally, through collaborations in the Alzheimer's Center at Temple, we use these approaches to determine how synapses adapt and maladapt to cardiovascular risks and cellular pathologies related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Along with cognition, dementia can also affect mood. Indeed, major depressive disorder and Alzheimer’s disease have been shown to mutually increase the risk for each other. Through on-going collaborations at Columbia University, RFMH, and NYSPI, we have used electrophysiology to investigate the synaptic mechanisms underlying stress resilience since it is an adaptive strategy that could protect against neuropsychiatric diseases.

Education, Training & Credentials

  • Postdoc, Neuroscience, Columbia University Irving Medical Center/RFMH/NYSPI
  • PhD, Neuroscience, State University of New York at Stony Brook
  • BS, Psychology, University of the Philippines at Diliman

Publications

NCBI Bibliography