I have an experimental and a separate human program. The focus of my experimental laboratory is on peripheral nerve microenvironment with particular focus on the basic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. Specific hypothesis is that diabetic neuropathy is mediated by oxidative injury to nerve target, especially sensory neuron. A related focus is on the pathophysiology of ischemic neuropathies and mechanisms of neuroprotection. Techniques used include immunohistochemical, molecular, microelectrode, and autoradiographic methods of studying nerve tissues.

Another area of focus is human and experimental autonomic dysfunction. The Autonomic Physiology Laboratory is focused on studies of the pathophysiology of orthostatic intolerance and its amelioration. Diseases studied include multiple system atrophy, autoimmune autonomic neuropathy, postural tachycardia syndrome. We have methods available to noninvasively measure beat-to-beat blood pressure and flow (systemic, splanchnic-mesenteric, cerebral), heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, as well as sudorometric and laser Doppler methods of measuring sudomotor and vasomotor activity. Direct measurements of muscle sympathetic activity is available using microneurography of peripheral nerve.