Nora Gray, Ph.D.

  • Associate Professor of Neurology, School of Medicine

Biography

After completing her PhD at UC Berkeley, Dr. Gray came to OHSU as a postdoctoral fellow as part of the Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Neurological Disorders (ORCCAMIND) training program. Prior to her doctorate she worked at the Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at NIH. She joined the faculty in the Neurology Department in 2017. Dr. Gray is a Biomarker and Outreach core leader at OHSU's Oregon Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Outside of lab she enjoys gardening and ultimate frisbee.

Research

Dr. Gray’s research uses animal and cell culture models to investigate how modulating antioxidant response and mitochondrial function affect neuronal health and cognitive function in aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Her current work is focused on how these pathways can be altered with botanical interventions.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • Ph.D., 2012, University of California, Berkeley

Areas of interest

  • Aging
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Cognitive function
  • Complementary and alternative medicine

Honors and awards

  • 2012 E.L Robert Stockstad Award, Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, UC Berkeley
  • 2011 Outstanding graduate student instructor, Department of Nutritional Science and Toxicology, UC Berkeley

Publications

Selected publications

  • Gray NE, Zweig JA, Caruso M, Zhu JY, Wright KM, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. (2018) Centella asiatica attenuates hippocampal mitochondrial dysfunction and improves memory and executive function in β-amyloid overexpressing mice. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 93:1-9.
  • Gray NE, Zweig JA, Caruso M, Martin MD, Zhu JY, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. (2018) Centella asiatica increases hippocampal synaptic density and improves memory and executive function in aged mice. Brain and Behavior. 8(7): e01024
  • Gray NE, Alcazar A, Lak P, Wright K, Quinn, JF, Stevens, JF, Soumyanath A, Maier CS. (2018) Centella asiatica - Phytochemistry and mechanisms of neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement. Phytochemical Reviews. 17 (1) 161-194.
  • Gray NE, Zweig JA, Matthews D, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. (2017) Centella asiatica attenuates Aβ-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in isolated hippocampal neurons. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 7023091.
  • Gray NE, Zweig JA, Murchison C, Caruso M, Matthews DG, Kawamoto C, Harris CJ, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. (2017) Centella asiatica attenuates Aβ – induced neurodegenerative spine loss and dendritic simplification. Neuroscience Letters, 646: 24-29.
  • Gray NE, Zweig JA, Kawamoto C, Quinn JF, Copenhaver PF. (2016) STX, a novel membrane estrogen receptor ligand, protects against Aβ toxicity. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 51 (2): 391-403.
  • Gray NE, Harris CJ, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. (2016) Centella asiatica modulates antioxidant and mitochondrial pathways and improves cognitive function in mice.  Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 180: 71-86.
  • Gray NE, Quinn JF. (2015)  Alterations in mitochondrial number and function in Alzheimer’s disease fibroblasts. Metabolic Brain Disease, 30(5):1275-8.
  • Gray NE, Sampath H, Zweig JA, Quinn, JF, Soumyanath A. (2015) Centella asiatica attenuates Aβ-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 45(3):933-46.
  • Gray NE, Morré J, Kelley J, Maier CS, Stevens JF, Quinn JF, Soumyanath A. (2014) Caffeoylquinic Acids in Centella asiatica Protect against Amyloid-β Toxicity. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 40: 359–373.

Publications