Rafael Perez, PhD
Associate Research ScientistDownloadHi-Res Photo
About
Titles
Associate Research Scientist
Appointments
Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- Vanderbilt University, Pharmacology
- BS
- York College of Pennsylvania, Biology (2013)
Research
Overview
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Behavior, Addictive; Biological Psychiatry; Neurosciences
ORCID
0000-0001-7788-4631
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Rafael Perez's published research.
Oakleigh Folkes, PhD
Publications
2021
Cocaine Augments Dopamine-Mediated Inhibition of Neuronal Activity in the Dorsal Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis.
Melchior J, Perez R, Salimando G, Luchsinger J, Basu A, Winder D. Cocaine Augments Dopamine-Mediated Inhibition of Neuronal Activity in the Dorsal Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis. Journal Of Neuroscience 2021, 41: 5876-5893. PMID: 34035141, PMCID: PMC8265809, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0284-21.2021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsDorsal bed nucleusBed nucleusStria terminalisDopaminergic inputAutoreceptor activationCocaine administrationD2/D3 receptor antagonist racloprideDopamine-mediated inhibitionSubstantial dopaminergic inputReceptor antagonist racloprideDrug-induced elevationAcute cocaine administrationMale C57BL6 micePopulation activityCalcium transient activityDrug reward pathwaysWhole-cell electrophysiologyMouse brain slicesCellular inhibitionOutward membrane currentsAntagonist racloprideDopamine terminalsSaline administrationC57BL6 miceCatecholamine release
2020
α2A-adrenergic heteroreceptors are required for stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine conditioned place preference
Perez RE, Basu A, Nabit BP, Harris NA, Folkes OM, Patel S, Gilsbach R, Hein L, Winder DG. α2A-adrenergic heteroreceptors are required for stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine conditioned place preference. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020, 45: 1473-1481. PMID: 32074627, PMCID: PMC7360592, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0641-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsStress-induced reinstatementStress-induced relapseBNST activityPlace preferenceDesigner drug (DREADD) approachEfficacy of guanfacineImpact of doseStress-induced cravingSubstance use disordersKey brain regionsRelapse rateBeneficial efficacyCPP procedureAgonist guanfacineDesigner receptorsGenetic deletion strategiesStria terminalisBed nucleusHeteroreceptorsUse disordersGuanfacineHuman studiesAnimal modelsCocaine CPPPotential treatment
2018
Dorsal BNST α2A-Adrenergic Receptors Produce HCN-Dependent Excitatory Actions That Initiate Anxiogenic Behaviors
Harris NA, Isaac AT, Günther A, Merkel K, Melchior J, Xu M, Eguakun E, Perez R, Nabit BP, Flavin S, Gilsbach R, Shonesy B, Hein L, Abel T, Baumann A, Matthews R, Centanni SW, Winder DG. Dorsal BNST α2A-Adrenergic Receptors Produce HCN-Dependent Excitatory Actions That Initiate Anxiogenic Behaviors. Journal Of Neuroscience 2018, 38: 8922-8942. PMID: 30150361, PMCID: PMC6191524, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0963-18.2018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsExcitatory actionAnxiety-like behaviorBed nucleusNeuronal activityAdrenergic receptorsCation channelsEffective treatment modalityDorsal bed nucleusHyperpolarization-activated cyclicCell-specific actionsSubstance use disordersReward-related behaviorsDrug-seeking behaviorDrugs of abuseTreatment of addictionAntidepressant actionBNST neuronsAnxiolytic actionDorsal BNSTTreatment modalitiesReceptor agonistAgonist guanfacineAnxiogenic behaviorStria terminalisClinical utility
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
honor Kavli Postdoctoral Award for Academic Diversity
Yale University AwardKavli Institute for NeuroscienceDetails11/24/2021United States
Links & Media
News
Get In Touch
Contacts
Mailing Address
Psychiatry
34 Park Street,, 3rd floor research
New Haven, CT 06508
United States