Education

• Current position: Clinical Assistant Professor, Anesthesia and Pain Management, University of Wisconsin 
  Education: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI PhD Veterinary Science 2003 
  University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI MS Veterinary Science 1997
  Ohio State University, Columbus, OH DVM Veterinary Medicine (cum laude) 1993

Research

Currently, the main goal of my translational research program as a clinician-scientist focuses on the ability to reverse (or slow development of) breathing deficits in models of neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis (MS). My current research emphasis concerns ventilatory insufficiency caused by spinal demyelination in pathologies such as MS, genetic myelin disorders or spinal injury. Although spinal cord demyelination contributes to significant morbidity/mortality in these pathologies, little is known concerning mechanisms whereby lack of myelin impairs breathing, or how patients compensate for such changes (ie. compensatory neuroplasticity). I am currently developing strategies to attack these critical, yet understudied, issues.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Johnson's clinical interests include anesthesia and its effects on respiratory physiology as well as the continuing clinical education of veterinary technicians and practicing veterinarians.

Recent Publications

Johnson RA, Lam M, Punzo AM, Li H, Lin BR, Ye K, Mitchell GS, Chang Q. 7,8-dihydroxyflavone exhibits therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. J Appl Physiol. 2011; Dec 22, epub ahead pf print. PMID: 22194327. Funded through ICTR/NIH 1UL1RR025011.

Drees R, Frydrychowicz AP, Reeder SB, Pinkerton ME, Johnson RA. 64-multi-detector computed tomographic angiography of the canine coronary arteries. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2011 52(5): 507-515. PMID: 21521398. PMCID: in process. Funded through ICTR/NIH 1UL1RR025011.

Drees R, Frydrychowicz AP, Keuler N, Reeder S, Johnson RA. Pulmonary angiography with 64-multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in normal dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2011 52(4): 362-367. PMID: 21545367. PMCID: in process. Funded through ICTR/NIH 1UL1RR025011.

Wendt EL, Snyder LBC, Tang R, Johnson RA. The effects of LRS or LRS and 6% hetastarch on the colloid osmotic pressure, total protein and osmolality in horses under general anesthesia. Vet Anaesth Analg 2011; July 38(4): 336-343. PMID: 21627758. PMCID: in process. Funded through ICTR/NIH 1UL1RR025011.

Johnson RA, Simmons KT, Fast JP, Schroeder CA, Pearce RA, Albrecht RM, Mecozzi S. Histamine release associated with intravenous delivery of a fluorocarbon-based sevoflurane emulsion in canines. J Pharm Sci 2011 Jul; 100(7): 2685-2692. PMID: 21246564. PMCID: 3102263. Funded through ICTR/NIH 1UL1RR025011.

Johnson RA, Baker-Herman TL, Duncan ID, Mitchell GS. Ventilatory impairment in the dysmyelinated Long Evans shaker (les) rat. Neuroscience. 2010; Sep 1; 9(3): 1105-1114. PMID: 20542092, PMCID: 2927872. Funded through ICTR/NIH 1UL1RR025011.

Johnson RA. Respiratory Acidosis. In DeMorais HA, DiBartola SP, editors: Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice. Advances in Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders, 2008; 38(3), May, pp. 431-434. PMID: 18402863.
 

Johnson RA. Respiratory Alkalosis. In DeMorais HA, DiBartola SP, editors: Veterinary Clinics of North America, Small Animal Practice. Advances in Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders, 2008; 38(3), May, pp. 427-430. PMID: 18402862.
 

Bavis RW, Johnson RA, Ording KM, Otis JP, Mitchell GS. Respiratory plasticity after perinatal hypercapnia in rats. Resp Physiol Neurobiol 2006; 153(1): 78-91. PMID: 16338177.

Baker-Herman TL, Fuller DD, Bavis RW, Zabka AG, Golder FJ, Doperalski NJ, Johnson RA, Watters JJ, Mitchell GS. BDNF is necessary and sufficient for spinal respiratory plasticity following intermittent hypoxia. Nat Neurosci 2004; 7:48-55. PMID: 14699417.

Johnson RA, Mitchell GS. Exercise-induced changes in hippocampal BDNF and NT-3: effects of rat strain. Brain Research 2003; 983: 108-114. PMID: 12914971.

Johnson RA, Rhodes JS, Jeffrey SL, Garland T Jr, Mitchell GS. Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor but not neurotrophin-3 increases more in mice selected for increased voluntary wheel running. Neuroscience 2003; 121: 1-7. PMID: 12946694.

Fuller DD, Johnson SM, Johnson RA, Mitchell GS. Chronic cervical spinal sensory denervation reveals ineffective spinal pathways to phrenic motoneurons in the rat. Neurosci Lett 2002; 323: 25-28. PMID: 11911982.

Johnson RA, Mitchell GS. p-Chlorophenylalanine eliminates long-term modulation of the exercise ventilatory response in goats. Resp Physiol 2001; 128(2): 161-169. PMID: 11812380.

Johnson RA, Okragly AJ, Haak-Frendscho M, Mitchell GS. Cervical dorsal rhizotomy increases brain derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 expression in the ventral spinal cord. J Neurosci 2000; 20(RC77): 1-5. PMID: 10783401.