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Kansas State University

Faculty

 

Michael Kenney

 

 

 

Michael J. Kenney
Director, Graduate Programs

PhD, University of Iowa, 1988

Phone (785) 532-4513
e-mail kenny@vet.k-state.edu


 

 

 

 

 

Research Interests:

The long-term objective of the research in our laboratory is to determine how sympathetic nerve regulation is altered by pathophysiological states, environmental and immune stress, and aging. Recent work completed in this laboratory supports the concept that central sympathetic neural networks regulate three important functional characteristics of efferent sympathetic nerve discharge: 1) the basal level of activity, 2) the bursting pattern, and 3) the relationships between discharges in regionally-selective sympathetic nerves. By altering these functional characteristics, the sympathetic nervous system plays a critical role in maintaining physiological homeostasis and mediating physiological responses to acute physical stress. Current experiments are designed to determine central neural mechanisms involved in regulating efferent sympathetic nerve outflow. A more complete understanding of the organization of central sympathetic neural circuits is critical for determining the role of the sympathetic nervous system in physiological regulation and disease processes.

Selected Publications:

Margiocco ML, M Borgarelli, TI Musch, DM Hirai, KS Hageman, RJ Fels, AA Garcia, and MJ Kenney.  Effects of combined aging and heart failure on visceral sympathetic nerve and cardiovascular responses to progressive hyperthermia in F344 rats.  Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol  299: R1555-R1563, 2010.

Kenney MJ.  Animal aging and regulation of sympathetic nerve discharge.  J Appl Physiol 109 (4): 951-958, 2010.  

Hosking KG, RJ Fels, and MJ Kenney.  Role of the rostral ventral lateral medulla in mediating visceral sympathoexcitation to acute heat stress.  Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical. 150: 104-110, 2009.

Helwig BG, RA Craig, RJ Fels, F Blecha, and MJ Kenney.  Central nervous system administration of interleukin-6 produces splenic sympathoexcitation.  Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical 141: 104-111, 2008.

Barman SM and MJ Kenney.  Methods of analysis and physiological relevance of rhythms in sympathetic nerve discharge.  Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol  34: 350-355, 2007.

Helwig BG, TI Musch, RA Craig, and MJ Kenney.  Increased interleukin-6 receptor expression in the paraventricular nucleus of rats with heart failure.  Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol  292: R1165-R1173, 2007.