Kara Vogel, PhD

Education:

BS 2007, Mathematical Sciences, Numerical and Applied Analysis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

MS 2010, Biochemistry, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI

PhD 2012, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University College of Pharmacy, Spokane, WA

Research Interests:

Vigabatrin is an anti-epileptic drug with a distinct biochemical mechanism which acts through irreversible inhibition of GABA transaminase resulting in accumulation of neurotransmitter GABA. However, application of vigabatrin pharmacologically remains limited due to the risk of peripheral visual field loss associated with its use. A few years ago, Dr. Vogel began pilot studies to determine whether vigabatrin-associated visual toxicity were related to aberrant mTOR signaling and reduced autophagy. These early pilot studies led the way to R01 funding at Washington State University and a consortium with the McLellan laboratory here at UW Madison. These collaborative works will assess the effectiveness of rapalog medications in mitigating the ocular/visual effect of vigabatrin-induced excess of GABA, a major component of central inhibitory pathways. To this end, they will perform OCT and electroretinography, retinal immunohistochemistry, and molecular and signaling parameters including autophagy, and mTOR-related gene expression. In particular, Dr. Vogel will study the effects of vigabatrin on the retina using high-resolution microscopy and ultrastructure of the retina using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).  She is extremely interested in studying drug-induced and genetic causes of ocular toxicity and degeneration, as well as deriving treatments to improve these conditions.

Publications:

PubMed Listing of Publications