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Melissa Cortez, DO

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Languages Spoken: English

Melissa Cortez, DO, is a neurologist who has specialized expertise in neurological diseases affecting the autonomic nervous system (autonomic neurology), as well as multiple sclerosis (MS). She is board certified in neurology and clinical neurophysiology (EMG, nerve conduction studies, evoked potentials, and autonomic testing). Dr. Cortez is the director and founder of the autonomic physiology lab at the University of Utah and has integrated a research program into her clinical work, aiming to better understand the underlying physiology of symptoms her patients experience. This knowledge is aimed at improving diagnostic strategies, improved selection of treatment options, and improving outcomes.

Clinical Locations

Imaging and Neurosciences Center

801-585-7575

729 Arapeen Way
Salt Lake City, UT  84108
Map

Specialties

  • Autonomic Neurology
  • Autoimmune Neurology
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Neuropathy
  • EMG
  • Ultrasound
  • Neurology

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments Neurology - Associate Professor (Clinical)
Academic Divisions General Neurology
Board Certification American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Sub: Clinical Neurophysiology)
United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Autonomic Disorders)

Melissa Cortez, DO, is a neurologist who has specialized expertise in neurological diseases affecting the autonomic nervous system (autonomic neurology), as well as multiple sclerosis (MS). She is board certified in neurology and clinical neurophysiology (EMG, nerve conduction studies, evoked potentials, and autonomic testing). Dr. Cortez is the director and founder of the autonomic physiology lab at the University of Utah and has integrated a research program into her clinical work, aiming to better understand the underlying physiology of symptoms her patients experience. This knowledge is aimed at improving diagnostic strategies, improved selection of treatment options, and improving outcomes.

Academic Locations

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments Neurology - Associate Professor (Clinical)
Academic Divisions General Neurology
Board Certification American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Sub: Clinical Neurophysiology)
United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Autonomic Disorders)

Research Interests

  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Autonomic Dysfunction
  • Clinical Neurophysiology (EMG)

Education History

Fellowship Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic
Clinical Neurophysiology, Electromyography/Autonomics
Fellow, 2014
Fellowship Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic
Multiple Sclerosis
Clinical Fellow, 2013
Chief Resident University of Utah School of Medicine
Adult Neurology
Chief Resident, 2012
Residency University of Utah School of Medicine
Adult Neurology
Resident, 2011
Internship University of Minnesota
Preliminary Medicine
Intern, 2009
Doctoral Training Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Medicine
Doctorate, 2008
Undergraduate University of Wyoming
Molecular Biology, Minor in Psychology
B.S., 2003
Undergraduate Cornell College
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
, 2001

Selected Publications - Journal Articles

Journal Article

  1. Vernino S, Bourne KM, Stiles LE, Grubb BP, Fedorowski A, Stewart JM, Arnold AC, Pace LA, Axelsson J, Boris JR, Moak JP, Goodman BP, Chmali KR, Chung TH, Goldstein DS, Diedrich A, Miglis MG, Cortez MM, Miller AJ, Freeman R, Biaggioni I, Rowe PC, Sheldon RS, Shibao CA, Systrom DM, Cook GA, Doherty TA, Abdallah HI, Darbari A, Raj SR (2021). Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): State of the science and clinical care from a 2019 National Institutes of Health Expert Consensus Meeting - Part 1. Auton Neurosci, 235, 102828.
  2. Raj SR, Bourne KM, Stiles LE, Miglis MG, Cortez MM, Miller AJ, Freeman R, Biaggioni I, Rowe PC, Sheldon RS, Shibao CA, Diedrich A, Systrom DM, Cook GA, Doherty TA, Abdallah HI, Grubb BP, Fedorowski A, Stewart JM, Arnold AC, Pace LA, Axelsson J, Boris JR, Moak JP, Goodman BP, Chmali KR, Chung TH, Goldstein DS, Darbari A, Vernino S (2021). Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): Priorities for POTS care and research from a 2019 National Institutes of Health Expert Consensus Meeting - Part 2. Auton Neurosci, 235, 102836.
  3. Cortez MM, Millsap L, Rea NA, Sciarretta C, Brennan KC (2021). Photophobia and allodynia in persistent post-traumatic headache are associated with higher disease burden. Cephalalgia, 41(10), 1089-1099.
  4. Schwedt TJ, Sahai-Srivastava S, Murinova N, Birlea M, Ahmed Z, Digre K, Lopez K, Mullally W, Blaya MT, Pippitt K, Cutrer FM, DeLange J, Schecht H, Rizzoli P, Lane J, Wald J, Cortez MM, Martin VT, Spare NM, Hentz JG, Robert T, Dodick DW, MOTS Investigators (2021). Determinants of pain interference and headache impact in patients who have chronic migraine with medication overuse: Results from the MOTS trial. Cephalalgia, 41(10), 1053-1064.
  5. Cortez MM, Millsap L, Brennan KC (2020). Synergistic but separable sensory changes in postural tachycardia syndrome and chronic migraine. Clin Auton Res, 31(2), 263-271.
  6. Villani LA, Digre KB, Cortez MM, Bokat C, Rassner UA, Ozudogru SN (2021). Arachnoiditis, a complication of epidural blood patch for the treatment of low-pressure headache: A case report and systematic review. Headache, 61(2), 244-252.
  7. Parkhouse RME, Sciutto E, Hernndez M, Cortez MM, Carpio A, Fleury A (2020). Extraparenchymal human neurocysticercosis induces autoantibodies against brain tubulin and MOG35-55 in cerebral spinal fluid. J Neuroimmunol, 349, 577389.
  8. Sanchez JMS, McNally JS, Cortez MM, Hemp J, Pace LA, Clardy SL (2020). Neuroimmunogastroenterology: At the Interface of Neuroimmunology and Gastroenterology. Front Neurol, 11, 787.
  9. Cortez MM, Millsap L, Brennan KC, Campbell CL (2020). Craniofacial Autonomic Dysfunction in Migraine: Implications for Treatment and Prognosis. J Neuroophthalmol, 40(1), 67-73.
  10. Cortez MM, Theriot J, Rea NA, Gowen F, Brennan KC (2019). Low-frequency facial hemodynamic oscillations distinguish migraineurs from non-headache controls. 2, 1-9.
  11. Cortez MM, Digre K, Uddin D, Hung M, Blitzer A, Bounsanga J, Voss MW, Katz BJ (2019). Validation of a photophobia symptom impact scale. Cephalalgia, 39(11), 1445-1454.
  12. Cortez MM, Rae N, Millsap L, McKean N, Brennan KC (2019). Pupil Cycle Time Distinguishes Migraineurs From Subjects Without Headache. Front Neurol, 10, 478.
  13. Cortez MM, Theriot JJ, Rea NA, Gowen FE, Brennan KC (2019). Low-frequency facial hemodynamic oscillations distinguish migraineurs from non-headache controls. Cephalalgia Rep, 2.
  14. Hanson LL, Ahmed Z, Katz BJ, Warner JEA, Crum AV, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Baggaley S, Pippitt K, Cortez MM, Digre KB (2018). Patients With Migraine Have Substantial Reductions in Measures of Visual Quality of Life. Headache, 58(7), 1007-1013.
  15. Rea NA, Rosenberg CL, Cortez MM (2017). Quantitative assessment of autonomic symptom burden in Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). J Neurol Sci, 377, 35-41.
  16. Cortez MM, Nagi Reddy SK, Goodman B, Carter JL, Wingerchuk DM (2015). Autonomic Symptom Burden is Associated with MS-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life. Mult Scler Relat Disord, 4(3), 258–263.
  17. Cortez MM, Wilder M, McFadden M, Majersik JM (2014). Quality of Life after Intra-arterial Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis, 23(7), 1890-6.
  18. Cortez MM, Wold JJ, Renner DR (2014). International issues: expanding neurologic education to resource-poor countries. Lessons from Moi Teaching Hospital. Neurology, 82(3), e18-20.
  19. Cortez M, Singleton JR, Smith AG (2014). Glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathy. Handb Clin Neurol, 126, 109-22.

Book Chapter

  1. Cortez MM, Singleton JR, Smith AG (2014). Glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathy. In D.W. Zochodne and R.A. Malik (Eds.), Handbook of Clinical Neurology: Diabetes and the Nervous System (3rd, 126, pp. 109-22). Toronto: Elsevier Publishing.

Case Report

  1. Ginos J, Mcnally S, Cortez M, Quigley E, Shah LM (2015). Vertebral Artery Dissection and Cord Infarction - an Uncommon Cause of Brown-Séquard and Horner Syndromes. Cureus, 7(8), e308.

Letter

  1. Ozudogru SN, Villani LA, Cortez MM, Bokat C, Rassner UA, Digre KB (2021). Arachnoiditis following epidural blood patch-An avoidable rare complication due to blind technique: A response. [Letter to the editor]. Headache, 61(6), 974-975.
  2. Ozudogru S, Loucao S, Rauf A, Cortez M (2019). Post-stroke short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with autonomic symptoms (SUNA): response to lamotrigine and sphenopalatine ganglion block. [Letter to the editor]. Clin Auton Res, 29(3), 357-359.

Abstract

  1. Cortez M, Rea N, Vongvaivanich K, Hunter K, Theriot J, Brennan KC (May 2015). Post-traumatic headache can be physiologically discriminated from migraine with aura [Abstract]. Cephalalgia, 35(6), suppl pg 116.

Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

  1. Cortez M, Holiday V, Greenlee J (2010-2014). Article recommendations and reviews, Neuro-Oncology/Immunology Section Associate Faculty Member [Web]. Available: F1000.com.

Global Impact

Selected Provider Publications

Journal Article

  1. Cortez MM, Wold JJ, Renner DR (2014). International issues: expanding neurologic education to resource-poor countries. Lessons from Moi Teaching Hospital. Neurology, 82(3), e18-20.
    Global Impact: Africa.

Migraine Sensory Biomarkers Study

Description: Keywords: Principal Investigator: Melissa Cortez

Migraines and Headaches

Description: Keywords: Principal Investigator: Melissa Cortez

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