Erik Zorrilla, PhD
Mentor
Program Start
August 2019
Honors and Awards
- Lulu Merle Johnson Fellowship, recipient
Graduate School Publications
Zorrilla E, Della Pietra A, Russo AF. Interplay between cannabinoids and the neuroimmune system in migraine. The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2024;25(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-024-01883-3
Wattiez AS, Gaul OJ, Kuburas A, Zorrilla E, Waite JS, Mason BN, Castonguay WC, Wang M, Robertson BR, Russo AF. CGRP induces migraine-like symptoms in mice during both the active and inactive phases. J Headache Pain. 2021 Jun 30;22(1):62. doi: 10.1186/s10194-021-01277-9. Erratum in: J Headache Pain. 2021 Oct 5;22(1):115. doi: 10.1186/s10194-021-01332-5. PMID: 34193048; PMCID: PMC8243868.
Wattiez AS, Gaul OJ, Kuburas A, Zorrilla E, Waite JS, Mason BN, Castonguay WC, Wang M, Robertson BR, Russo AF. Correction to: CGRP induces migraine-like symptoms in mice during both the active and inactive phases. J Headache Pain. 2021 Oct 5;22(1):115. doi: 10.1186/s10194-021-01332-5. Erratum for: J Headache Pain. 2021 Jun 30;22(1):62. doi: 10.1186/s10194-021-01277-9. PMID: 34610787; PMCID: PMC8491374.
PhD Research Concentration
Migraine is a condition that affects over 40 million individuals in the US and approximately 10% of the global population. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a well-documented migraine trigger. We know this because CGRP levels are elevated in migraine, and when given CGRP, migraine patients show a delayed migraine like headache compared to control subjects who only have a mild headache. Currently my work in the Russo lab is in looking at the effects of cannabinoids in a pre-clinical model of migraine. I am also looking at the effects that cannabinoids can have on immune cells in the dura matter of the meninges.
Dissertation Topic
Investigating the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in pre-clinical models of migraine
Thesis Defense Date
November 2024
