Email

alexander.sandweiss@bcm.edu

Positions

Basic Neuroscience Research Pathway

Child Neurology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX US

Education

MD from University of Arizona

05/2018 - Tucson, Arizona

PhD from University of Arizona

06/2016 - Arizona, Tucson

Pharmacology/Neuroscience

BS from University of Arizona

05/2011 - Tucson

Physiology, Music

Honors & Awards

Chief Resident, 2021-2022

Baylor College of Medicine

Professional Statement

Alex is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. He moved two hours south to Tucson, Arizona where he lived for 11 years while attending The University of Arizona. He studied physiology and music in undergrad, then began medical school and his PhD in pharmacology at The University of Arizona COM. For his PhD dissertation, Alex studied the role of the neuropeptide substance p in the neural circuitry of opioid reward, with the goal of developing a novel analgesic that lacks the potential for abuse.
Now in child neurology residency, his focus lies in training as a pediatric neurologist with a special research interest in nervous system autoimmune diseases such as encephalitis.

Videos

Selected Publications

• Alexander J. Sandweiss, Vicky Brandt, Huda Y. Zoghbi "Advances in understanding Rett syndrome and MECP2 duplication syndrome: prospects for future therapies.." The Lancet Neurology. 2020 Aug 1;19(8):689-698.
• Alexander J. Sandweiss, Mary I. McIntosh, Aubin Moutal, Rachel Davidson-Knapp, Jackie Hu, Aswini K. Giri, Takashi Yamamoto, Victor J. Hruby, Rajesh Khanna, Tally M. Largent-Milnes, Todd W. Vanderah "Genetic and pharmacological antagonism of NK 1 receptor prevents opiate abuse potential." Molecular Psychiatry. 2018 Aug;23(8):1745-1755. Pubmed PMID: 28485408
• Alexander J. Sandweiss, Karissa E. Cottier, Mary I. McIntosh, Gregory Dussor, Thomas Davis, Todd W. Vanderah, Tally Largent-Milnes "17-β-estradiol induces cortical spreading depression and pain behavior in alert female rats." Oncotarget. 2017 Dec 9;8(69):11409-114122. Pubmed PMID: 29371973
• Alexander J. Sandweiss, Asad Azim, Kareem Ibraheem, Tally M. Largent-Milnes, Peter Rhee, Todd W. Vanderah, Bellal Joseph "Remote ischemic conditioning preserves cognition and motor coordination in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury." Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 2017 Dec;83(6):1074-1081. Pubmed PMID: 28609381

Memberships

American Academy of Neurology

Child Neurology Society

American Academy of Pediatrics

Texas Neurological Society

Texas Pediatrics Society

American Physiological Society

Funding

Exome sequencing for the discovery of genetic determinants of pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis

(07/01/2022 - 06/30/2024) Grant funding from Thrasher Research Fund

Underpinnings of racial and ethnic diversity in pediatric autoimmune encephalitis

(09/01/2022 - 08/31/2023) Grant funding from Alpha Omega Alpha

Resident Research Award

(01/01/2023 - 12/31/2023) Grant funding from American Academy of Neurology

Evaluation of novel therapies for autoimmune encephalitis

(01/01/2023 - 12/31/2023) Grant funding from Mike Hogg Fund

Skills

Animating cellular biology and pharmacology

Multimedia/media arts