Erica Vieira

I have conducted basic and translational research in neuroimmunology over the past eight years. I have focused my research on evaluating peripheral biomarkers in psychiatry and neurological disorders to identify the link between the periphery and central nervous system. The main focus of my research as an Independent Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is to investigate the role of circulating brain-derived extracellular vesicles as biomarkers in neurodegenerative and late-life depression disorders. My long-term career goal is to establish a sustainable, diverse, and independent laboratory in Canada. After completing my M.Sc. and my Ph.D. at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Biochemistry and Immunology, I had the opportunity to investigate the role of immunological changes in different neuropsychiatric disorders across the lifespan, including major depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and epilepsy. In 2019, I moved to Canada to join the Neurobiology of Aging and Depression Laboratory. I established many collaborations studying peripheral biomarkers and extracellular vesicles in patients with mood disorders (late-life depression, bipolar disorder), addiction, psychosis, and neurodegenerative disorders. In less than two years, I became Principal Investigator of a sub-project in addiction and cognitive dysfunction. I also was awarded a very competitive fellowship from Labatt Network Family Foundation for Depression Biology. Based on my prior experience in peripheral biomarkers in neuroinflammation and developing studies with human studies, I believe that the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry will be an excellent opportunity to consolidate my academic career.

Appointments

2019 - 2021    Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - CAMH, Toronto, Canada

2021 - present    Independent Scientist , Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - CAMH, Toronto, Canada

2017 - 2018    Clinical Immunology Postgraduate professor, Una University Centre, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

2012 - 2018    Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Research Interests

My research interest is neuroimmunology in psychiatric and neurological disorders, focusing on peripheral biomarkers, extracellular vesicles, and cellular mechanisms.

Grants

ONGOING GRANTS

2021/01/01-2026/12/31

N/A, Discovery Fund - CAMH

Voineskos (PI)

TAY Cohort Project 3: Brain Circuit And Molecular Profile Trajectories In The Toronto Adolescent & Youth CAMH Cohort Study (The 'TAY-CAMH Cohort')

The goal of this study is to discover the clinical, biological, and social antecedents of early psychosis in Children and Youth already requiring mental health care.

Role: Co-Investigator

 

2021/01/01-2025/12/31

N/A, Discovery Fund – CAMH

Vieira (PI)

PROJECT 3: TO IDENTIFY BIOMARKERS MECHANISTICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH EXECUTIVE DYSFUNCTION AND FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES IN ADULT OUTPATIENTS SEEKING TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION

This project will mainly focus on the investigation of inflammasome as one of the molecular mechanisms involved in SUD, executive dysfunction, and brain structural and functional parameters. We will further explore a potential link between polygenic risk scores for SUD, inflammasome activation, and executive dysfunction in a multidisciplinary overview. Total Amount for P3: CAD$193,126.00. Total Amount for the whole project: CAD$ 2,133,00.00

Role: CPI

 

2019/01/01-2024/12/31

RO1MH115953, NIMH

Diniz (PI)

The Sendep Study: Linking Molecular Senescence Changes to Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Late Life

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of senescence-associate secretory phenotype (SASP) in older adults with late-life depression.

Role: PDA

 

2018/11/01-2022/03/31

NCT03672201, NIH

Rajji (PI)

Standardizing Care for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Quality of Life in Dementia (StaN)

The object of this study to evaluation and Integrated Care Pathway to treat Aggression and Agitation in Alzheimer's disease.

Role: PDA

 

2018/01/01-2021/12/31

APQ-02559-17, FAPEMIG

de Oliveira (PI)

Translational Approach in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Inflammatory Mechanism, Clinical Aspects, Signaling Pathways, and the Neuroinflammation Relation

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of inflammation and signaling pathways in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy correlate with psychiatric evaluation.

Role: CPI

 

COMPLETED RESEARCH SUPPORT

2020/08/01-2021/07/31

N/A, Labatt Family Network for Research on the Biology of Depression

Vieira (PI)

Research Fellowships in Depression Biology

To investigate the role of extracellular vesicles and peripheral biomarkers of late-life mood and neurocognitive disorders.

Role: Post-Doctoral Scholar

 

2016/07/01-2018/12/31

2016747387, CAPES/PNPD Scholarship Program

Vieira (PI)

Translational Approach in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Inflammatory Mechanism, Clinical Aspects, Signaling Pathways, and the Neuroinflammation Relation

To investigate the role of immunological changes in different neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, major depression, Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia at the Neuroscience Program at UFMG.

Role: Post-Doctoral Scholar

 

2015/01/01-2018/12/31

456593/204-4, CNPq Universal

Teixeira (PI)

Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson Disease: Study of the Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Parameters with Image and Molecular Biomarkers

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of cognition, behavior, and inflammation parameters in individuals with Parkinson's disease chronic.

Role: Co-Investigator

 

2013/01/01-2018/05/31

PPSUS-APQ-03539-13, FAPEMIG - PPSUS

Teixeira (PI)

Stroke in a SUS reference center: clinical, socio-demographic profiles and prognostic biomarkers

This project aims to analyze the epidemiological profile of stroke victims (ischemic or hemorrhagic) at a SUS reference center and to identify prognostic markers of acute ischemic stroke morbidity and mortality. The study was a longitudinal, observational and translational study, involving teams from the Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Medical Research (Faculty of Medicine at UFMG) and the Stroke Unit at Hospital Risoleta Tolentino Neves

Role: Co-Investigator

 

2014/01/01-2016/12/31

470472/2014-6 , CNPq Universal

Simões e Silva (PI)

Intervention of the Renin-Angiotensin System with Markers of Inflammation and Fibrosis in the Progression of Chronic Renal Disease

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of inflammation and rennin-angiotensin systems in chronic renal disease in humans and animal models. Total Amount: BRZ $500,000.00

Role: Co-Investigator

 

2012/10/01-2014/03/30

157479/2012­9, CNPq- Junior Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program

Vieira (PI)

Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship

I main goal was to investigate the role of immunological changes in different neuropsychiatric disorders across the lifespan, including epilepsy and major depression. Total amount: BRL$ 49,200.00/Year

Role: Post-Doctoral Scholar

MOST SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS

1. VIEIRA EL, CARAMELL P, ROCHA NP, CARDOSO MGF, MIRANDA AS, TEIXEIRA AL, SOUZA LC. Tumor necrosis factor superfamily molecules are increased in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and correlate with cortical atrophy: an exploratory investigation. J Neuroimmunol. 2021 May 15. IMPACT FACTOR 3.033.
2. VIEIRA EL, MENDES-SILVA AP, FERREIRA JD, BERTOLA L, BARROSO L, VIEIRA M, TEIXEIRA AL, DINIZ BS. Oxidative DNA damage is increased in older adults with a major depressive episode: A preliminary study. J Affect Disord. 2021 Jan 15;279:106-110. IMPACT FACTOR 4.084.
3. DINIZ BS, VIEIRA ELM. Stress, Inflammation, and Aging: An Association Beyond Chance. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2018 Sep;26(9):964-96. IMPACT FACTOR 4.235.
4. VIEIRA ELM, DE OLIVEIRA GN, LESSA JM, GONÇALVES AP, OLIVEIRA AC, BAUER ME, SANDER JW, CENDES F, TEIXEIRA AL. Peripheral leukocyte profile in people with temporal lobe epilepsy reflects the associated proinflammatory state. Brain Behav Immun. Nov. 2015. IMPACT FACTOR 6.306.
5. VIEIRA, ELM, LEONEL, A.J., SAD, A.P., BELTRÃO, N.R.M., COSTA, T.F., FERREIRA, T.M., SANTOS, A.C.G., FARIA, A.M.C., PELUZIO, M.C.G., CARA, D.C., ALVAREZ-LEITE, J.I. Oral administration of sodium butyrate attenuates inflammation and mucosal lesion in experimental acute ulcerative colitis. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2012 May;23(5):430-6. IMPACT FACTOR 4.686.

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

1. VIEIRA ÉLM, DA SILVA MCM, GONÇALVES AP, MARTINS GL, TEIXEIRA AL, DE OLIVEIRA ACP, REIS HJ. Serotonin and dopamine receptors profile on peripheral immune cells from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. J Neuroimmunol. 2021 May 15. IMPACT FACTOR 3.033.

1. VIEIRA ELM, DE OLIVEIRA GN, LESSA JM, GONÇALVES AP, SANDER JW, CENDES F, TEIXEIRA AL. Interleukin-1β plasma levels are associated with depression in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav, Nov. 2015. IMPACT FACTOR 2.257.
2. VIEIRA, ELM, KEESEN, T.S., MACHADO, P.R., GUIMARÃES, L.H., CARVALHO, E.M., DUTRA, W.O., GOLLOB, K.J. Immunoregulatory profile of monocytes from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients and association with lesion size. Parasite Immunology. v.35(2): 65-72, 2012. IMPACT FACTOR 1.849.
3. DINIZ BS, VIEIRA ELM, MENDES-SILVA AP, BOWIE CR, BUTTERS MA, FISCHER CE, FLINT A, HERRMANN N, KENNEDY J, LANCTÔT KL, MAH L, POLLOCK BG, MULSANT BH, RAJJI TK. Mild cognitive impairment and major depressive disorder are associated with molecular senescence abnormalities in older adults. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2021;7(1):e12129. IMPACT FACTOR 7.1.
4. VIEIRA ÉLM, MARTINS FMA, BELLOZI PMQ, GONÇALVES AP, SIQUEIRA JM, GIANETTI A, TEIXEIRA AL, DE OLIVEIRA ACP. PI3K, mTOR and GSK3 modulate cytokines' production in peripheral leukocyte in temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurosci Lett. 2021 Jun 21. IMPACT FACTOR 2.180.
5. GONÇALVES VF, MENDES-SILVA AP, KOYAMA E, VIEIRA E, KENNEDY JL, DINIZ B. Increased levels of circulating cell-free mtDNA in plasma of late life depression subjects. J Psychiatr Res. 2021 Jul;139:25-29. IMPACT FACTOR 3.745. Contribution: Conducted the laboratory experiments and analyzed data. Revised the manuscript. Coauthor or Collaborator.
6. MENDES-SILVA AP, VIEIRA ELM, XAVIER G, BARROSO LSS, BERTOLA L, MARTINS EAR, BRIETZKE EM, BELANGERO SIN, DINIZ BS. Telomere shortening in late-life depression: A potential marker of depression severity. Brain Behav. 2021 Jun 21. IMPACT FACTOR 2.219. Contribution: Help to conduct the study. Conducted the laboratory experiments and analyzed data. Revised the manuscript. Coauthor or Collaborator.