Vishnu Anand Cuddapah, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Positions
- Assistant Professor
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Pediatrics
Neurology
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ of Medicine
Houston, Texas, United States
- Investigator
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Dan and Jan Duncan Neurological Research Institute
Houston, Texas, United States
- Investigator
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Gordon and Mary Cain Pediatric Neurology Research Foundation Laboratories
Houston, Texas, United States
Addresses
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Lab)
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1250 Moursund St
Houston, TX, 77030
United States
Education
- BA from Tulane University
- 05/2006 - New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
- Art History
- BS from Tulane University
- 05/2006 - New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
- Neuroscience
- MD from University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 05/2015 - Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program
- PhD from University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 10/2013 - Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Neurobiology
Certifications
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Professional Statement
As a clinical neurogeneticist, one of the most common challenges I discuss with families is difficulty with sleep. Poor sleep early in life can have lifelong impact, and children with neurodevelopmental disorders are much more likely to not sleep well. Unfortunately, while these associations are well known, we have a limited understanding of the mechanisms driving interactions between neurodevelopmental disorders and sleep dysfunction.
Our group seeks to understand interactions between neurodevelopmental disorders, sleep, and circadian rhythms. We are particularly interested in learning how epilepsy – one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders – is regulated by sleep and circadian rhythms. To do this, we leverage the tractability of fruit flies. By uncovering underlying mechanisms, we hope to identify new therapeutic targets to improve seizure control and gain insight into the biology of sleep.
In parallel, we are trying to understand what causes sleep dysfunction in people. We are involved in efforts to perform genetic sequencing of people with severe sleep or circadian symptoms. Our hope is to translate an understanding of underlying genetic etiologies into novel therapies that improve sleep quality.
Our group seeks to understand interactions between neurodevelopmental disorders, sleep, and circadian rhythms. We are particularly interested in learning how epilepsy – one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders – is regulated by sleep and circadian rhythms. To do this, we leverage the tractability of fruit flies. By uncovering underlying mechanisms, we hope to identify new therapeutic targets to improve seizure control and gain insight into the biology of sleep.
In parallel, we are trying to understand what causes sleep dysfunction in people. We are involved in efforts to perform genetic sequencing of people with severe sleep or circadian symptoms. Our hope is to translate an understanding of underlying genetic etiologies into novel therapies that improve sleep quality.
Websites
The Cuddapah Lab is located in the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute
Click here to view a list of publications by Vishnu Cuddapah, MD, PhD
Read more about ongoing projects, and say hello to our amazing team!
Selected Publications
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Cuddapah VA*, Hsu CT, Valle Sirias F, Li Y, Shah HM, Saul C, Killiany S, Guevara C, Shon J, Yue Z, Gionet G, Putt ME, Sehgal A*.. " " Nature Communications. 2025 ;
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Parthasarathy S, Ruggiero SM, Gelot A, Soardi FC…Kennedy BC, Pena SDJ, Helbig I, Cuddapah VA*.. " " American Journal of Human Genetics. 2022 ;
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Cuddapah VA*, Chen D, Cho B, Moore R, Suri M, Safraou H, Tran-Mau-Them F, Wilson A, Odgis J, Rehman AU, Saunders C, Ganesan S, Jobanputra V, Scherer SW, Helbig I, and Sehgal A*.. " " PNAS. 2025 ;
Funding
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Regulation of seizure timing by circadian rhythms and sleep
#K08NS131602 - NIH - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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Harnessing the fly model system to understand how sleep disruption worsens seizure burden
#Taking Flight Award - CURE Epilepsy
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Leveraging fly genetics to identify mechanisms controlling daily oscillations in seizure risk
#Neuroscience Research Training Scholarship - American Academy of Neurology
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