Karen Teff

Member

Education

Ph.D., Experimental Medicine; McGill University

Research Summary

My overall research focus is in the pathophysiology of human obesity, that is, in the detrimental physiological consequences of increased body adiposity, including insulin resistance and inflammation. One of my main interests is on the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in maintaining metabolic homeostasis through regulation of insulin secretion, hepatic glucose production and inflammatory cytokine levels. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the etiology of insulin resistance may lead to novel drug development and strategies to prevent the sequelae of insulin resistance.

Keywords

diabetes, obesity, vagal physiology, autonomic nervous system, clinical and translational research

Recent Publications

Teff, K. L. and Kim, S. F. (In Press) “Atypical Antipsychotics and the Neural Regulation of Food Intake and Peripheral Metabolism.” Physiology & Behavior.

Teff, K. L. (2011) “How neural mediation of anticipatory and compensatory insulin release helps us tolerate food.” Physiology & Behavior. 103.1, 44-50.

Townsend, R. R.; Anderson, A. H.; Chen, J.; Gadebegku, C. A.; Feldman, H. I.; Fink, J. C.; Go, A. S.; Joffe, M.; Nessel, L. A.; Ojo, A.; Rader, D.; Reilly, M. P.; Teal, V.; Teff, K. L.; Wright, J. T. and Xie, D. (2011) “Metabolic syndrome, components, and cardiovascular disease prevalence in chronic kidney disease: findings from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study.” American Journal of Nephrology. 33, 477-84.

Rickels, M. R.; Mueller, R.; Teff, K. L. and Naji, A. (2010) “B-Cell secretory capacity and demand in recipients of islet, pancreas, and kidney transplants.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 95, 1238-46.

Teff, K. L. (2010) “Cephalic phase pancreatic polypeptide responses to liquid and solid stimuli in humans.” Physiology & Behavior. 99.3, 317-23.

Arnardottir, E. S.; Mackiewicz, M.; Gislason, T.; Teff, K. L. and Pack, A. I. (2009) “Molecular signatures of obstructive sleep apnea in adults: a review and perspective.” Sleep. 32.4, 447-70.

Teff, K. L.; Grudziak, J.; Townsend, R. R.; Dunn, T. N.; Grant, R. W.; Adams, S. H.; Keim, N. L.; Cummings, B. P.; Stanhope, K. L. and Havel, P. J. (2009) “Endocrine and metabolic effects of consuming fructose- and glucose-sweetened beverages with meals in obese men and women: influence of insulin resistance on plasma triglyceride responses.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 94.5, 1562-69.

Teff, K. L. (2008) “Visceral nerves: vagal and sympathetic innervation.” Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 32, 569-71.

Lab Staff

Huong-Lan Nguyen, BSc: Research Specialist
Carissa Fuller, RN, NP: Nurse Practitioner, IDOM staff
Geraldine Emmanuel, BA, MSc Health Administration: Part-time Research Assistant
Mike Harvey, BA: Part-time Research Assistant

Related Links

University of Pennsylvania:
Director, Translational Research Program, Institute of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Co-Director, Clinical and Translational Research Center