Biography
The Portera-Cailliau laboratory investigates how developmental defects in network connectivity at the level of the cerebral cortex directly lead to symptoms of autism, learning disability and intellectual dysfunction. In particular they are studying sensory hypersensitivity in a model of fragile X syndrome, by combining in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, patch-clamp electrophysiology, and head-fixed behavior. Dr. Portera-Cailliau was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. He obtained a B.A. in Biochemistry & Cell Biology from U.C. San Diego in 1990. He then attended the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and obtained an MD-PhD degree in 1997. His mentors were Drs. Donald Price and Lee Martin. After finishing a residency in Neurology at The Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston in 2001, Dr. Portera-Cailliau moved to Columbia University for a post-doctoral fellowship in Dr. Rafael Yuste’s laboratory. His second post-doc was with Dr. Karel Svoboda in Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. He joined the UCLA faculty in November 2004 and has joint appointments in the Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology. He is a member of UCLA’s Brain Research Institute, the Integrated Center for Learning & Memory, and the Neuroscience Theme. Since 2013 he has served as co-director of the UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program.
Biography
Beate Ritz joined the faculty of the School of Public Health at UCLA in 1995 and is currently Professor and Vice Chair of the Epidemiology Department and holds co-appointments in the Environmental Health department at the UCLA School of Public Health and in Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine; she is a member of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH), the Southern California Environmental Health Science Center (SCEHSC), and co-directs the NIEHS-funded UCLA Center for Gene-Environment Studies of Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Ritz received her MD and a PhD in Medical Sociology from the University of Hamburg Germany in 1983 and 1987; she was a research fellow and resident at the Psychiatric University-Hospital in Hamburg from 1987-1989, and received doctoral training and a PhD degree in Epidemiology in 1995 from UCLA.
Her research focuses on the health effects of occupational and environmental toxins such as pesticides, ionizing radiation, and air pollution on chronic diseases including neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson’s disease), cancers, and adverse birth outcomes and asthma. She previously investigated the causes of cancer in chemical toxin and radiation exposed workers and assessed the impact of ergonomic work-place factors on musculo-skeletal disorders. For the past decade, she studied the effects of air pollution on adverse birth outcomes as well as asthma in children in Southern California. In 2006, she received the Robert M Zweig Memorial award for outstanding achievement in air quality and medicine from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. She also spend the past 15 years investigating the long-term effects of pesticide exposures on Parkinson’s disease and cancers and is currently conducting a project to implement a Parkinson’s disease registry required by a new law in California.
In her research she uses geographic information system (GIS) modeling of environmental exposures including pesticide use and traffic related air pollution in California and investigates links between genetic susceptibility factors and environmental exposures in populations. She is directing and collaborating in a large number of federally (NIH, DOD), state (California Air Resources Board), and foundation (Michael J Fox Foundation) funded research projects.
Publications
A selected list of publications:
Manthripragada A, Cockburn M, Costello S, Bronstein J, Ritz B. Paraoxonase-1 gene Leu-Met 55 polymorphism may modify the estimated effects of agricultural organophosphate exposure on Parkinson’s disease. In Press: Epidemiology, , 2009; .
Ritz–Publications PD Gatto N Cockburn M, Bronstein J, Ritz B. Well Water Consumption and Parkinson’s Disease in Rural California. , In Press EHP , 2009; .
Costello Sadie, Cockburn Myles, Bronstein Jeff, Zhang Xinbo, Ritz Beate Parkinson’s disease and residential exposure to maneb and paraquat from agricultural applications in the central valley of California American journal of epidemiology, 2009; 169(8): 919-26.
Rhodes Shannon L, Ritz Beate Genetics of iron regulation and the possible role of iron in Parkinson’s disease Neurobiology of disease, 2008; 32(2): 183-95.
Ritz B, Rull R Assessment of Environmental Exposures from Agricultural Pesticides in Childhood Leukemia Studies: Challenges and Opportunities, In Press: Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2008; .
Rhodes SL, Ritz B Genetics of Iron Regulation and the Possible Role of Iron in Parkinson’s Disease, In Press: Neurobiology of Disease, 2008; .
Rugbjerg K, Ritz B, Korbo L, Martinussen N, Olsen JH Risk for Parkinson’s Disease After Hospitalization for a Head Injury: A Population-Based Case-Control Study, In Press: BMJ, 2008; .
Wahner AD, Bronstein JF, Bordelon YM, Ritz B Statin Use and the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease, Neurology, 2008; 70(16 pt. 2): 1418-22.
Wahner Angelika D, Bronstein Jeff M, Bordelon Yvette M, Ritz Beate Statin use and the risk of Parkinson disease Neurology, 2008; 70(16 Pt 2): 1418-22.
Goldberg Daniel W, Wilson John P, Knoblock Craig A, Ritz Beate, Cockburn Myles G An effective and efficient approach for manually improving geocoded data International journal of health geographics, 2008; 7(2): 60.
Rugbjerg Kathrine, Ritz Beate, Korbo Lise, Martinussen Nick, Olsen Jørgen H Risk of Parkinson’s disease after hospital contact for head injury: population based case-control study BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 2008; 337(2): a2494.
Krishnadasan A, Kennedy N, Zhao Y, Morgenstern H, Ritz B Nested Case-Control Study of Occupational Physical Activity and Prostate Cancer Among Workers Using a Job Exposure Matrix, Cancer Causes Control, 2008; 1: 107-14.
Ritz B, Wilhelm M, Hoggatt KJ, Ghosh JKC Ambient Air Pollution and Preterm Birth in the UCLA Environment and Pregnancy Outcomes Study, American journal of industrial medicine, 2007; 166(9): 1045-52.
Wahner Angelika D, Bronstein Jeff M, Bordelon Yvette M, Ritz Beate Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may protect against Parkinson disease Neurology, 2007; 69(19): 1836-42.
Ritz Beate, Ascherio Alberto, Checkoway Harvey, Marder Karen S, Nelson Lorene M, Rocca Walter A, Ross G Webster, Strickland Daniel, Van Den Eeden Stephen K, Gorell Jay Pooled analysis of tobacco use and risk of Parkinson disease Archives of neurology, 2007; 64(7): 990-7.
Rempel DM, Wang PC, Janowitz I, Harrison RJ, Yu F, Ritz B A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effects of New Task Chairs on Shoulder and Neck Pain Among Sewing Machine Operators: The Los Angeles Garment Study, Spine, 2007; 32(9): 931-38.
Karr C, Lumley T, Shepherd K, Davis R, Larson T, Ritz B, Kaufman J Effect of Subchronic and Chronic Exposure to Ambient Air Pollutants on Infant Bronchiolitis, Am J Epidemiol, 2007; 165(5): 553-60.
Lewis C, Suffet HI, Hoggatt KJ, Ritz B Estimated Effects of Disinfection By-Products on Preterm Birth in a Population Served by a Single Water Utility, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2007; 115(2): 290-5.
Wahner AD, Glatt CE, Bronstein JF, Ritz B. Glutathione S-Transferase Mu, Omega, Pi, And Theta Class Variants And Smoking In Parkinson’s Disease. Neurosci Lett. 2007 Feb 21;413(3):274-8, , 2007; .
Wahner AD, Glatt CE, Bronstein JF, Ritz B Glutathione S-Transferase Mu, Omega, Pi, and Theta Class Variants and Smoking in Parkinson’s Disease, Neurosci Lett. Perspect, 2007; 413(3): 274-8.
Wahner AD, Sinsheimer JS, Bronstein JF, Ritz B Inflammatory Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms Increase Risk of Parkinson’s Disease, Arch Neurol, 2007; 64(6): 836-40.
Krishnadasan A, Kennedy N, Zhao Y, Morgenstern H, Ritz B Nested Case- Control Study of Occupational Chemical Exposures and Prostate Cancer in Aerospace and Radiation Worker, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2007; 50(5): 383-90.
Wahner AD, Bronstein JF, Bordelon YM, Ritz B Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs May Protect Against Parkinson’s Disease, Neurology, 2007; 69(19): 1836-42.
Ritz B, Ascherio A, Checkoway H, Marder KS, Nelson LM, Rocca WA, Ross GW, Strickland D, Van Den Eeden SK, Gorell J Pooled Analysis of Tobacco Use and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease, Archives of Neurology, 2007; 64(7): 990-7.
Mengy YY, Wilhelm M, Rull R, English P, Ritz B Traffic and Outdoor Air Pollution Levels Near REsidences and Poorly-Controlled Asthma in Adults, Ann Asthma, Allergy, Immunol, 2007; 98(5): 455-63.
Wahner Angelika D, Sinsheimer Janet S, Bronstein Jeff M, Ritz Beate Inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms and increased risk of Parkinson disease Archives of neurology, 2007; 64(6): 836-40.
Wang PC, Rempel D, Harrison R, Chan J, Ritz B Work-Organizational and Personal Factors Associated with Upper Body Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Sewing Machine Operators Occupational Environmental Medicine, 2007; .
Elbaz Alexis, Nelson Lorene M, Payami Haydeh, Ioannidis John P A, Fiske Brian K, Annesi Grazia, Carmine Belin Andrea, Factor Stewart A, Ferrarese Carlo, Hadjigeorgiou Georgios M, Higgins Donald S, Kawakami Hideshi, Krüger Rejko, Marder Karen S, Mayeux Richard P, Mellick George D, Nutt John G, Ritz Beate, Samii Ali, Tanner Caroline M, Van Broeckhoven Christine, Van Den Eeden Stephen K, Wirdefeldt Karin, Zabetian Cyrus P, Dehem Marie, Montimurro Jennifer S, Southwick Audrey, Myers Richard M, Trikalinos Thomas A Lack of replication of thirteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms implicated in Parkinson’s disease: a large-scale international study Lancet neurology, 2006; 5(11): 917-23.
Ritz Beate, Costello Sadie Geographic model and biomarker-derived measures of pesticide exposure and Parkinson’s disease Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2006; 1076(11): 378-87.
Ritz B, Zhao Y, Krishnadasan A, Kennedy N, Morgenstern H Estimated Effects of Hydrazine Exposure on Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Aerospace Workers, Epidemiology, 2006; 17(2): 154-61.
Ritz B, Costello S Geographic Model and Biomarker-Derived Measures of Pesticide Exposure and Parkinson’s Disease, Ann NY Academy Sci, 2006; 1076: 378-87.
Elbaz A, Nelson LM, Ritz B, et al Lack of Replication of Thirteen Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Implicated in Parkinson’s Disease: A Large-Scale International Study, Lancet Neurol, 2006; 5(11): 917-23.
Schernhammer Eva, Chen Honglei, Ritz Beate Circulating melatonin levels: possible link between Parkinson’s disease and cancer risk? Cancer causes & control : CCC, 2006; 17(4): 577-82.
Glatt Charles E, Wahner Angelika D, White Daniel J, Ruiz-Linares Andres, Ritz Beate Gain-of-function haplotypes in the vesicular monoamine transporter promoter are protective for Parkinson disease in women Human molecular genetics, 2006; 15(2): 299-305.
Kang Gail A, Bronstein Jeff M, Masterman Donna L, Redelings Matthew, Crum Jarrod A, Ritz Beate Clinical characteristics in early Parkinson’s disease in a central California population-based study Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society, 2005; 20(9): 1133-42.
Ritz B, Tager I, Balmes J Can Lessons from Public Health Disease Surveillance be Applied to Environmental Public Health Tracking?, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2005; 113(3): 243-9.
Rull Rudolph P, Ritz Beate Historical pesticide exposure in California using pesticide use reports and land-use surveys: an assessment of misclassification error and bias Environmental health perspectives, 2003; 111(13): 1582-9.
Rull Ru, Ritz B Historical Pesticide Exposure in California Using Pesticide Use Reports and Land-Use Surveys: An Assessment of Misclassification Error and Bias, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2003; 111(13): 1582-9.
Wilhelm M, Ritz B Residential Proximity to Traffic and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Los Angeles County, California, 1994-1996, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2003; 111(2): 207-16.
Ritz B, Yu F, Chapa G, Fruin S, Shaw G, Harris J Ambient Air Pollution and Birth Defects, Am J Epidemiol, 2002; 155: 17-25.
Jacob B, Ritz B, Gehring U, Koch A, Bischof W, Wichmann HE, Heinrich J for the INGA-Study group Indoor Exposure to Molds and Allergic Sensitization, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2002; 110(7): 647-53.
Morgenstern H, Ritz B Effects of Low-Level Ionizing Radiation and Chemical Exposures on Cancer Mortality in Nuclear and Aerospace Workers: Findings from the UCLA Rocketdyne Study, Occupational Medicine, 2001; 16(2): 219-37.
Ritz B, Yu F, Chapa G, Fruin S Effect of Air Pollution on Preterm Birth Among Children Born in Southern California Between 1989 and 1993, Epidemiology, 2000; 11: 502-11.
Ritz B, Yu F Parkinson’s Disease Mortality And Pesticide Exposure in California 1984-1994, International Journal of Epidemiology, 2000; 29: 323-9.
Ritz B, Yu F. Parkinson’s Disease Mortality And Pesticide Exposure In California 1984 1994. International Journal of Epidemiology, 2000, Vol. 29:323-329, , 2000; .
Ritz B, Morgenstern H, Crawford-Brown D, Young B The Effects of Internal Radiation Exposure on Cancer Mortality in Nuclear Workers at Rocketdyne/Atomics International, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2000; 108: 743-51.
Biography
Dr. Sokolow has a broad background in pharmacology and neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with specific training and expertise in molecular biology, clinical pharmacy and pharmacogenomics with emphasis in analyzing secondary data of drug response in the treatment of cognitive symptoms of AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Her current research project focuses on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms associated with response to AD medications, such as donepezil and other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Areas of Scholarly Expertise and Interest: Alzheimer’s disease, genetics, pharmacogenomics, pharmacology and therapeutics, biomarkers, calcium signaling pathways.
Publications
A selected list of publications:
Sokolow Sophie, Li Xiaohui, Chen Lucia, Taylor Kent D, Rotter Jerome I, Rissman Robert A, Aisen Paul S, Apostolova Liana G Deleterious Effect of Butyrylcholinesterase K-Variant in Donepezil Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment Journal of Alzheimer’s disease : JAD, 2017; 56(1): 229-237.
Casamassa Antonella, La Rocca Claudia, Sokolow Sophie, Herchuelz Andre, Matarese Giuseppe, Annunziato Lucio, Boscia Francesca Ncx3 gene ablation impairs oligodendrocyte precursor response and increases susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis Glia, 2016; 64(7): 1124-37.
Sokolow Sophie, Henkins Kristen M, Bilousova Tina, Gonzalez Bianca, Vinters Harry V, Miller Carol A, Cornwell Lindsey, Poon Wayne W, Gylys Karen H Pre-synaptic C-terminal truncated tau is released from cortical synapses in Alzheimer’s disease Journal of neurochemistry, 2015; 133(3): 368-79.
Apostolova Liana G, Hwang Kristy S, Avila David, Elashoff David, Kohannim Omid, Teng Edmond, Sokolow Sophie, Jack Clifford R, Jagust William J, Shaw Leslie, Trojanowski John Q, Weiner Michael W, Thompson Paul M, Thompson Paul M Brain amyloidosis ascertainment from cognitive, imaging, and peripheral blood protein measures Neurology, 2015; 84(7): 729-37.
Hohendanner Felix, Ljubojević Senka, MacQuaide Niall, Sacherer Michael, Sedej Simon, Biesmans Liesbeth, Wakula Paulina, Platzer Dieter, Sokolow Sophie, Herchuelz André, Antoons Gudrun, Sipido Karin, Pieske Burkert, Heinzel Frank R Intracellular dyssynchrony of diastolic cytosolic [Ca²⁺] decay in ventricular cardiomyocytes in cardiac remodeling and human heart failure Circulation research, 2013; 113(5): 527-38.
Molinaro Pasquale, Cataldi Mauro, Cuomo Ornella, Viggiano Davide, Pignataro Giuseppe, Sirabella Rossana, Secondo Agnese, Boscia Francesca, Pannaccione Anna, Scorziello Antonella, Sokolow Sophie, Herchuelz André, Di Renzo Gianfranco, Annunziato Lucio Genetically modified mice as a strategy to unravel the role played by the Na(+)/Ca (2+) exchanger in brain ischemia and in spatial learning and memory deficits Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2013; 961: 213-22.
Henkins Kristen M, Sokolow Sophie, Miller Carol A, Vinters Harry V, Poon Wayne W, Cornwell Lindsey B, Saing Tommy, Gylys Karen Hoppens Extensive p-tau pathology and SDS-stable p-tau oligomers in Alzheimer’s cortical synapses Brain pathology (Zurich, Switzerland), 2012; 22(6): 826-33.
Pannaccione Anna, Secondo Agnese, Molinaro Pasquale, D’Avanzo Carla, Cantile Maria, Esposito Alba, Boscia Francesca, Scorziello Antonella, Sirabella Rossana, Sokolow Sophie, Herchuelz André, Di Renzo Gianfranco, Annunziato Lucio A new concept: Aβ1-42 generates a hyperfunctional proteolytic NCX3 fragment that delays caspase-12 activation and neuronal death The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 2012; 32(31): 10609-17.
Sokolow Sophie, Henkins Kristen M, Bilousova Tina, Miller Carol A, Vinters Harry V, Poon Wayne, Cole Gregory M, Gylys Karen Hoppens AD synapses contain abundant Aβ monomer and multiple soluble oligomers, including a 56-kDa assembly Neurobiology of aging, 2012; 33(8): 1545-55.
Boscia F, D’Avanzo C, Pannaccione A, Secondo A, Casamassa A, Formisano L, Guida N, Sokolow Sophie, Herchuelz André, Annunziato L Silencing or knocking out the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger-3 (NCX3) impairs oligodendrocyte differentiation Cell death and differentiation, 2012; 19(4): 562-72.
Sokolow Sophie, Henkins Kristen M, Williams Iris A, Vinters Harry V, Schmid Ingrid, Cole Gregory M, Gylys Karen H Isolation of synaptic terminals from Alzheimer’s disease cortex Cytometry. Part A : the journal of the International Society for Analytical Cytology, 2012; 81(3): 248-54.
Sokolow Sophie, Luu Sanh H, Nandy Karabi, Miller Carol A, Vinters Harry V, Poon Wayne W, Gylys Karen H Preferential accumulation of amyloid-beta in presynaptic glutamatergic terminals (VGluT1 and VGluT2) in Alzheimer’s disease cortex Neurobiology of disease, 2012; 45(1): 381-7.
Ringman John M, Schulman Howard, Becker Chris, Jones Ted, Bai Yuchen, Immermann Fred, Cole Gregory, Sokolow Sophie, Gylys Karen, Geschwind Daniel H, Cummings Jeffrey L, Wan Hong I Proteomic changes in cerebrospinal fluid of presymptomatic and affected persons carrying familial Alzheimer disease mutations Archives of neurology, 2012; 69(1): 96-104.
Nguidjoe Evrard, Sokolow Sophie, Bigabwa Serge, Pachera Nathalie, D’Amico Eva, Allagnat Florent, Vanderwinden Jean-Marie, Sener Abdullah, Manto Mario, Depreter Marianne, Mast Jan, Joanny Geraldine, Montanya Eduard, Rahier Jacques, Cardozo Alessandra K, Eizirik Décio L, Schurmans Stéphane, Herchuelz André Heterozygous inactivation of the Na/Ca exchanger increases glucose-induced insulin release, β-cell proliferation, and mass Diabetes, 2011; 60(8): 2076-85.
Molinaro Pasquale, Viggiano Davide, Nisticò Robert, Sirabella Rossana, Secondo Agnese, Boscia Francesca, Pannaccione Anna, Scorziello Antonella, Mehdawy Bisan, Sokolow Sophie, Herchuelz André, Di Renzo Gianfranco F, Annunziato Lucio Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger (NCX3) knock-out mice display an impairment in hippocampal long-term potentiation and spatial learning and memory The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 2011; 31(20): 7312-21.
Sokolow Sophie, Luu Sanh H, Headley Alison J, Hanson Alecia Y, Kim Taeree, Miller Carol A, Vinters Harry V, Gylys Karen H High levels of synaptosomal Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchangers (NCX1, NCX2, NCX3) co-localized with amyloid-beta in human cerebral cortex affected by Alzheimer’s disease Cell calcium, 2011; 49(4): 208-16.
Verwey N A, van der Flier W M, Blennow K, Clark C, Sokolow S, De Deyn P P, Galasko D, Hampel H, Hartmann T, Kapaki E, Lannfelt L, Mehta P D, Parnetti L, Petzold A, Pirttila T, Saleh L, Skinningsrud A, Swieten J C V, Verbeek M M, Wiltfang J, Younkin S, Scheltens P, Blankenstein M A A worldwide multicentre comparison of assays for cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease Annals of clinical biochemistry, 2009; 46(Pt 3): 235-40.
Wehling-Henricks Michelle, Sokolow Sophie, Lee Jamie J, Myung Kyu H, Villalta S Armando, Tidball James G Major basic protein-1 promotes fibrosis of dystrophic muscle and attenuates the cellular immune response in muscular dystrophy Human molecular genetics, 2008; 17(15): 2280-92.
Ringman J M, Younkin S G, Pratico D, Seltzer W, Cole G M, Geschwind D H, Rodriguez-Agudelo Y, Schaffer B, Fein J, Sokolow S, Rosario E R, Gylys K H, Varpetian A, Medina L D, Cummings J L Biochemical markers in persons with preclinical familial Alzheimer disease Neurology, 2008; 71(2): 85-92.
Fein Jeffrey A, Sokolow Sophie, Miller Carol A, Vinters Harry V, Yang Fusheng, Cole Gregory M, Gylys Karen Hoppens Co-localization of amyloid beta and tau pathology in Alzheimer’s disease synaptosomes The American journal of pathology, 2008; 172(6): 1683-92.
Jeffs Graham J, Meloni Bruno P, Sokolow Sophie, Herchuelz Andre, Schurmans Stéphane, Knuckey Neville W NCX3 knockout mice exhibit increased hippocampal CA1 and CA2 neuronal damage compared to wild-type mice following global cerebral ischemia Experimental neurology, 2008; 210(1): 268-73.
Molinaro Pasquale, Cuomo Ornella, Pignataro Giuseppe, Boscia Francesca, Sirabella Rossana, Pannaccione Anna, Secondo Agnese, Scorziello Antonella, Adornetto Annagrazia, Gala Rosaria, Viggiano Davide, Sokolow Sophie, Herchuelz Andre, Schurmans Stèphane, Di Renzo Gianfranco, Annunziato Lucio Targeted disruption of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 3 (NCX3) gene leads to a worsening of ischemic brain damage The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 2008; 28(5): 1179-84.
Sokolow Sophie, Manto Mario, Gailly Philippe, Molgó Jordi, Vandebrouck Clarisse, Vanderwinden Jean-Marie, Herchuelz Andre, Schurmans Stéphane Impaired neuromuscular transmission and skeletal muscle fiber necrosis in mice lacking Na/Ca exchanger 3 The Journal of clinical investigation, 2004; 113(2): 265-73.