Contact Information

Office: 11290D  PFP 
Phone: 319-356-2260 
Faculty Profile

Brief description of current research:

My diabetes related research focuses on 3 areas:

1) Assessment of diabetic peripheral and autonomic neuropathy in human and animal models using advanced imaging of the structure and function of corneal nerves and the dynamics of iris movement that occur during the pupil light reflex.

2) Assessment of vascular reactivity of the microcirculation of the retina in humans using non-invasive retinal imaging with near-infrared laser speckle flowgraphy. The vascular resistance can be monitored dynamically during the cardiac cycle and in response to flickering light stimuli (a nitrous oxide mediated vasodilation) and in response to cold-water immersion of the hand.  Neurovascular coupling is being studied and the relationship between ocular perfusion pressure, microcirculatory blood flow, and neuronal function in both health and disease states.

3) Development of a smartphone suite of visual function tests that can be used in a clinical and home setting to monitor visual function over time.

3 most influential diabetes/obesity/metabolism publications:

• Yorek MS, Obrosov A, Shevalye H, Coppey LJ, Kardon RH, Yorek MA. Early vs. late intervention of high fat/low dose streptozotocin treated C57Bl/6J mice with enalapril, alpha lipoic acid, menhaden oil or their combination: Effect on diabetic neuropathy related endpoints. Neuropharmacology. 2016 Dec 23;116:122-131. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.12.022.
• Davidson EP, Coppey LJ, Shevalye H, Obrosov A, Kardon RH, Yorek MA. Impaired Corneal Sensation and Nerve Loss in a Type 2 Rat Model of Chronic Diabetes Is Reversible With Combination Therapy of Menhaden Oil, Œ±-Lipoic Acid, and Enalapril. Cornea. 2017 Jun;36(6):725-731.
• Yorek MS, Davidson EP, Poolman P, Coppey LJ, Obrosov A, Holmes A, Kardon RH, Yorek MA. Corneal Sensitivity to Hyperosmolar Eye Drops: A Novel Behavioral Assay to Assess Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016 May 1;57(6):2412-9.

Quote:

“I am exploring how we can use the structure and function of the nerves and dynamics of blood flow  in the human eye as an accessible means for early detection, monitoring and assessing new treatments of diabetes”