Louise D McCullough MD PhD

Vascular Neurology

Huffington Distinguished Chair of Neurology The University of Texas; UTHealth Houston; Chief of Neurology, Memorial Hermann-TMC

Join to View Full Profile

UT Physicians-Neurology; UTHealth Neurosciences6410 Fannin St Ste 1014Houston, TX 77030
Phone+1 832-325-7080
Fax+1 713-512-2239

Summary

Dr. Louise McCullough is a neurologist in Houston, TX and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center, and TIRR Memorial Hermann. She received her medical degree from University of Connecticut School of Medicine and has been in practice 21 years. She specializes in vascular neurology and is experienced in general neurology, vascular neurology, cerebrovascular disease, carotid disease, ultrasound, and thrombolytic/EVT therapy for stroke.

Education & Training

Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineFellowship, Stroke and Vascular Disease, 2000 - 2002
Johns Hopkins UniversityChief Residency, Neurology, 1999 - 2000
Johns Hopkins UniversityResidency, Neurology, 1997 - 2000
Johns Hopkins UniversityInternship, Internal Medicine, 1996 - 1997
Uconn School Of MedicineClass of 1996
University of ConnecticutPhD, Neuroscience, 1992
University of ConnecticutMA, Experimental Psychology, 1991
University of ConnecticutBA, Psychology, 1989

Certifications & Licensure

TX State Medical License 2015 - 2025
CT State Medical License 2004 - 2019
MD State Medical License 2000 - 2011
DE State Medical License 2001 - 2002
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Neurology
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Vascular Neurology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

American Heart Association Basic Science Award American Heart Association, 2022
Texas Top Doctors 2021
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) C. Miller Fisher, MD Neuroscience Visionary Award 2021
Texas Super Doctors 2020
American Heart Association Merit Award 2020
Women Faculty Excellence in Research Award, McGovern Medical School 2019
American Heart Association Stroke Council Award 2019
NIH/NINDS Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship 2019
ANA Soriano Lectureship Award 2019
American Heart Association Leaders Academy 2019
American Heart Association Stroke Progress and Innovation Award (as senior author of winning article submission) 2018
Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars Inductee 2018
Neurology Resident Teaching Award McGovern Medical School/University of Texas, 2017
American Heart Association International Stroke Conference Outstanding Stroke Research Mentor Award 2017
Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award (NIH) 2016
Representative of the American Heart Association on the Task Force to Study Stroke in Connecticut (appointed by the Lieutenant Governor) 2014
Outstanding Women Faculty Award University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 2014
The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (Inducted) 2013
Pat Finelli Award for Best Teacher (Neurology Residents) 2012
American Heart Association Volunteer Recognition Award 2011
Deans Award for Student Research Mentorship 2011
The David Frederick Award for Excellence in Resident Education 2009
Elected Member of the American Neurological Association 2008
Fellow of the American Heart Association - FAHA 2008
Preclinical Teaching Award (Awarded by Medical Students) 2008, 2012
Nominee Kaiser Permanente Teaching Award 2008
Moderator (Invited) International Stroke Meeting 2008, 2013
Top Doctor Recognition (Hartford, Houston and National) 2007
American Heart Association Women’s Board Career Recognition Award 2003
Keynote Speaker Neuroscience Symposium University of Connecticut, 2002
Passano Clinician Scientist Award 2002
The Hazel K. Goddess Fund for Stroke Research in Women 2002
Dr. Jay Slotkin Award for Excellence in Research 2000
American Heart Post-Doctoral Award 2000
Glasgow Award for Academic Achievement 1996
Upjohn Achievement Award for Excellence in Research 1996
Wellsford and Mildred Clark Scholarship 1995
Join now to see all

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Uric Acid Stroke Cerebroprotection Transcended Sex, Age, and Comorbidities in a Multicenter Preclinical Trial.
Rakesh B Patel, Mariia Kumskova, Hanish Kodali, Ivan Budnik, Vitalii Kuznetsov
Stroke. 2025-04-01
Single-Cell Analysis in Cerebrovascular Research: Primed for Breakthroughs and Clinical Impact.
Asher J Albertson, Ethan A Winkler, Andrew C Yang, Marion S Buckwalter, Andra L Dingman
Stroke. 2025-04-01
Benefits of equilibrium between microbiota- and host-derived ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor after stroke in aged male mice.
Pedram Peesh, Maria P Blasco-Conesa, Ahmad El Hamamy, Romeesa Khan, Gary U Guzman
Nature Communications. 2025-02-19

Journal Articles

Taylor RA, Chang CF, Goods BA, Hammond MD, Grory BM, Ai Y, Steinschneider AF, Renfroe SC, Askenase MH, McCullough LD, Kasner SE, Mullen MT, Hafler DA, Love JC, Sansing LH, J Clin Invest, 1/3/2017
A survey of blood pressure parameters after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Brown RJ, Kumar A, McCullough LD, Butler K, Int J Neurosci, 1/29/2016
Age-Associated Resident Memory CD8 T Cells in the Central Nervous System Are Primed To Potentiate Inflammation after Ischemic Brain Injury
Ritzel RM, Crapser J, Patel AR, Verma R, Grenier JM, Chauhan A, Jellison ER, McCullough LD, J Immunol, 1/15/2016
Early retinal inflammatory biomarkers in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model of ischemic stroke
Ritzel RM, Pan SJ, Verma R, Wizeman J, Crapser J, Patel AR, Lieberman R, Mohan R, McCullough LD, Mol. Vis., 1/4/2016
Nuclear translocation of histone deacetylase 4 induces neuronal death in stroke
Yuan H, Denton K, Liu L, Li XJ, Benashski S, McCullough L, Li J, Neurobiol Dis, 1/1/2016
Liu L, Yuan H, Denton K, Li XJ, McCullough L, Li J, Eur J Neurosci, 1/1/2016
Pre-stroke Living Situation and Depression Contribute to Initial Stroke Severity and Stroke Recovery
Aron A, Staff I, Fortunato G, McCullough LD, J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis, 1/1/2015
Immunologic Modulations to Enhance Post-Stroke Recovery
Howe MD and McCullough LD, Current Immunology Reviews, 1/1/2015
Sex differences in ischemic stroke are influenced by gonadal hormones, not by sex chromosome complement
Manwani B, Venna V, Benashki S, Arnold A, McCullough LD, J Cereb Blood Flow Metab, 1/1/2015
Ultrasonic Vocalization Changes and FOXP2 expression after Experimental Stroke
Doran S, Trammel C,Benashaski S, Venna V; McCullough LD, Behav Brain Res, 1/1/2015
Sex Differences and the Role of IL-10 in Ischemic Stroke Recovery
Conway SE, Roy-O'Reilly M, Friedler B, Staff I, Fortunato G, McCullough LD, Biology of Sex Differences, 1/1/2015
Venna VR, Benashski SE, Chauhan A, McCullough LD, Learn Mem, 1/1/2015
Age- and Location-Related Changes in Microglia Function
Ritzel RM, Patel AR, Pan S, Crapser J, Hammond M, Jellison E, McCullough LD, Neurobiol Aging, 1/1/2015
Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Strategies: Electrically Stimulating Polymer Based Nerve Growth Conduits
Anderson M, Shelke NB, Manoukian OS, Yu X, McCullough LD, Kumbar SG, Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering, 1/1/2015
One is the deadliest number: the detrimental effects of social isolation on cerebrovascular diseases and cognition
Friedler B, Crapser J, McCullough L, Acta Neuropathol, 1/24/2014
Stroke prevention in women: synopsis of the 2014 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guideline
Bushnell C, McCullough L, Ann Intern Med, 1/1/2014
Genetic deletion of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase beta (CaMKK beta) or CaMK IV exacerbates stroke outcomes in ovariectomized (OVXed) female mice
Liu L. McCullough LD, Li J, BMC Neurosci, 1/1/2014
Pair housing reverses post-stroke depressive behavior in mice
Verma R, Friedler BD, Harris NM, McCullough LD, Behav Brain Res, 1/1/2014
Sex Differences in Stroke: The Contribution of Coagulation
Roy-O'Reilly M, McCullough LD, Exp Neurol, 1/1/2014
The middle cerebral artery occlusion model of transient focal cerebral ischemia
Liu F, McCullough LD, Methods Mol Biol, 1/1/2014
Social interaction plays a critical role in neurogenesis and recovery after stroke
Venna V, Xu Y, Doran S, Patrizz A McCullough LD, Translational Psychiatry, 1/1/2014
Chronic metformin treatment improves post-stroke angiogenesis and recovery after experimental stroke
Venna VR, Li J, Hammond MD, Mancini NS, McCullough LD, Eur J Neurosci, 1/1/2014
Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) increases experimental stroke injury
Liu L, Doran S, Xu Y, Manwani B, Ritzel R, Benashski S, McCullough L, Li J, Exp Neurol, 1/1/2014
CCR2+Ly6Chi inflammatory monocyte recruitment exacerbates acute disability following intracerebral hemorrhage
Hammond MD, Taylor RA, Mullen MT, Ai Y, Aguila HL, Kasner SE, McCullough LD, Sansing LH, J Neurosci, 1/1/2014
Guidelines for the Prevention of Stroke in Women: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Council on S...
Bushnell C (Chair); McCullough LD, (Vice-Chair); Awad IS; Chireau MV; Fedder WN; Furie KL; Howard VJ; Lichtman JH; Lisabeth LD; Piña IL, Reeves MJ; Rexrode KM; Sapos..., Stroke, 1/1/2014
Join now to see all

Books/Book Chapters

Handbook Clinical Neurology
Chapter: Chapter 8: Effects of gender and sex steroids on ischemic injury
McCullough LD, Koerner IP, Hurn PD2008
Society for Women's Health Research
Chapter: The Savvy Woman Patient. How and Why Your Sex Impacts Your Health
McCullough LD and Hurn PDEditors: Phyllis Greenberger, M.S.W., Jennifer Wider, M.D..2006
Stroke
Chapter: Stroke in Women: The effect of Oral Contraceptives and Hormone Replacement on Stroke Risk
Cortese I and McCullough LDEditors: R. Wityk and RH Llinas.American College of Physicians Publishing2006
Stroke
Chapter: Intravenous and Intra-arterial TPA for Acute Stroke
Blakely J, Llinas, RH, McCullough, LDEditors: R. Wityk and RH Llinas.American College of Physicians Publishing2006
Acute Stroke: Bench to Bedside
Chapter: Gender differences in stroke pathobiology: Therapeutic implications
McCullough LD, Kofler J, Hurn PDEditors: Bhardwaj A.Marcel Dekker Publishing, New York2006
Pharmacology of Cerebral Ischemia
Chapter: Estrogen and Testosterone as Neuroprotectants in Stroke
Hurn PD, Ardelt AA, Alkayed NJ, Crain BJ, Hu W, Kearney ML, McCullough LD, Murphy SJ, Toung TJK, Traystman RJ, Wang MMEditors: Krieglstein J.Medpharm Scientific Publishers, Stuttgart, Germany2002
Yearbook of Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine
Chapter: Cerebral Ischemia: Pathophysiology and Neuroprotection
Hurn PD, Alkayed NJ, Bhardwaj A, Koehler RC, Kirsch JR, Littleton-Kearney MT, McCullough LD, Murphy SJ, Rossberg MI, Toung TJ & Traystman RJEditors: Vincent, JL.Springer-Verlag Publishing, Heidelberg2001
Intima Media Thickness: Watching the Arterial Risk
Chapter: Vascular effects of estrogen in experimental stroke
Alkayed, NJ, McCullough LD, Littleton-Kearney M., Rusa R., Sampei, K., Sawada M., Goto S., Watanabe Y., Toung TJK, Crain BJ, Traystman RJ & Hurn, P.D.Editors: P-J Touboul.2001
Join now to see all

Lectures

Age and Sex Are Critical Factors in Ischemic Stroke Pathology
Farmington, CT - 2/11/2014
Aging and Neuroinflammation
Austin, TX - 1/1/2016
Modeling Stroke in the Laboratory
Houston, TX - 1/1/2016
Manipulating the Inflammatory Response to Stroke in Aged Animals
Quebec, Canada - 1/1/2016
Prevention of stroke in women and unique risk factors in women
University of Washington - 1/1/2016
Translational stroke research: The effects of age and sex
The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME - 1/1/2015
Sex Matters: Why we should still care about STAIR
Nashville, TN - 1/1/2015
Age and Sex Are Critical Factors in Ischemic Stroke Pathology
Farmington, CT - 2/13/2014
Age and Sex Are Critical Factors in Ischemic Stroke Pathology
Avon, CT - 2/13/2014
Bridging Basic and Clinical Research
1/1/2014
Stroke Syndromes: How to Recognize Them
1/1/2014
Social Isolation and Stroke
National Institute of Health - 1/1/2014
Stroke Update 2014
St Francis Hospital - 1/1/2014
The influence of Age and Sex in Stroke Research
West Virginia University - 1/1/2014
Animal Models and Translation to Clinical Trials
1/1/2014
Preclinical Animal Models
1/1/2014
Translational Stroke Research
Cedars Sinai - 1/1/2014
Stroke update 2013
University of Connecticut Health Center - 1/1/2013
Stroke Outcomes in Women
Duke University - 1/1/2013
Social Isolation in Stroke
University of Connecticut - 1/1/2012
AMPK as a target for Stroke Treatment
Monterey CA - 1/1/2012
Stroke: Clinical and Basic Science of Sex Differences
Mt Sinai Hospital New York - 1/1/2012
Genes, Drugs and Gender
Sardinia, Italy - 1/1/2011
Stroke Update 2011
Middlesex Hospital - 1/1/2011
Stroke in Special Populations
1/1/2011
Join now to see all

Authored Content

Dendrimer Nanotherapy for Severe COVID-19 Attenuates Inflammation and Neurological Injury Markers and Improves Outcomes in a Phase2a Clinical TrialJuly 2022

Press Mentions

Gut Bacteria Imbalance After Stroke May Worsen Brain Inflammation TodayheadlineMarch 25th, 2025
GFAP Biomarker Assay Can Discern ICH vs Ischemic StrokeFebruary 11th, 2025
{HMN 2025}: A Blood Test Could Detect the Kind of Stroke Earlier Than the Hospital Comes, Permitting Sooner TherapyFebruary 1st, 2025
Join now to see all

Grant Support

Sex specific immune response to SARS-CoV-2 leads to chronic neurologic symptomsUNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON2021–2026
Stroke Disordered Breathing and its Impact on Cognitive Decline in Aging, Alzheimer's Disease and Cerebral Amyloid AngiopathyUNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON2020–2025
Maternal Factors Influencing Trans-Generational Stroke RiskAHA MERIT Award2020–2025
Detrimental Effects of Age Related DysbiosisNIH/NINDS2018–2023
Similar Projects Pyschosocial Stress and the Response to StrokeNIH-NINDS2016–2023
Dynamic Non-Neuronal Interactions between the Gut Microbiota and the Brain in Aging and in Cerebral Amyloid AngiopathyNIH/NIA2017–2022
Chromosomal And Hormonal Contributions To Sex Differences In Ischemic Stroke.National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2012
Regulation Of The Microglial Response To Stroke.National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2011
Psychosocial Stress And Behavioral Response To StrokeNational Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2011
Effect Of Chromosomal Sex On Stroke SensitivityNational Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2010–2011
Gender Differences In Ischemic Cell DeathNational Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2007–2011
Energy Dysregulation: The Role Of AMPK In StrokeNational Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke2006–2010