Department of Internal Medicine

Cardiovascular Medicine Faculty

Robert Felder photo

Medical School:
University of North Carolina

Residency:
The University of Iowa

Fellowship:
The University of Iowa

Robert B. Felder, M.D.
Professor

Dr. Felder's laboratory utilizes electrophysiological, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques to explore the contribution of the brain to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease states. The primary focus is upon heart failure in rodent models, with an emphasis on the forebrain influences of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on volume regulation and sympathetic drive.

Honors, Awards, and Organizations

Recent Publications

  1. Wei, S.G., Yu,Y., Zhang, Z.H., Weiss, R.M., and Felder R.B.: Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Mediate Upregulation of Hypothalamic Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptors in Heart Failure Rats. (Subject of Editorial Comment). Hypertension, 52:679-686, 2008.
  2. Wei, S.G., Yu, Y., Zhang, Z.H., Weiss, R.M., and Felder, R.B.: Angiotensin II Triggered p44/42 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Mediates Sympathetic Excitation in Heart Failure Rats. Hypertension, 52:342-350, 2008.
  3. Yu, Y., Wei, S.G, Zhang, Z.H., Gomez-Sanchez, E.P., Weiss, R.M., and Felder, R.B.: Does Aldosterone Upregulate the Brain Renin-Angiotensin System in Rats with Heart Failure? (Subject of Editorial Comment). Hypertension, 51:727-733, 2008.
  4. Kang, Y.M., Zhang, Z.H., Xue, B., Weiss, R.M., and Felder, R.B: Inhibition of Brain Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Synthesis Reduces Hypothalamic Excitation in Rats with Ischemia-Induced Heart Failure. Am. J. Physiol., 295:H227-H236, 2008
  5. Zhang, Z.H., Yu, Y., Kang, Y.M., Wei, S.G., and Felder, R.B: Aldosterone acts centrally to increase brain renin-angiotensin system activity and oxidative stress in normal rats. Am. J. Physiol., 294: H1067-H1074, 2008.
  6. Yu, Y., Zhang, Z.H., Wei, S.G., Chu, Y., Weiss, R.M., Heistad, D.D., and Felder, R.B: Central Gene Transfer of Interleukin-10 Reduces Hypothalamic Inflammation and Evidence of Heart Failure in Rats after Myocardial Infarction. (Subject of Editorial Comment). Circ. Res., 101:304-312, 2007.
  7. Yu, Y., Kang, Y.M., Zhang, Z.H., Wei, S.G., Chu, Y., Weiss, R.M., and Felder, R.B: Increased Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus in Rats with Heart Failure: Role of Nuclear Factor κ B. Hypertension, 49:511-518, 2007.
  8. Kang, Y.M., Zhang, Z.H., Johnson, R.F., Yu, Y., Weiss, R.M., Beltz, T., Johnson, A.K., and Felder, R.B.: Novel Effect of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism to Reduce Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Hypothalamic Activation in Rats with Ischemia-induced Heart Failure. Circ. Res., 99: 758-66, 2006.
  9. Francis, J., Weiss, R.M., Wei, S.G., Johnson, A.K., Beltz, T.G., Zimmerman, K., and Felder, R.B.: Central Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blockade Improves Volume Regulation and Reduces Sympathetic Drive in Heart Failure. Am J. Phyisol., 281:H2241-H2251, 2001 .
  10. Francis, J., Weiss, R.M., Wei, S.G., Johnson, A.K., and Felder, R.B.: Progression of Heart Failure after Myocardial Infarction in the Rat. Am. J. Physiol., 281:R1734-R1745, 2001 .
  11. Francis, J., Weiss, R.M., Wei, S.G., Johnson, A.K., Beltz, T.G., Zimmerman, K., and Felder, R.B.:  Central Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blockade Improves Volume Regulation and Reduces Sympathetic Drive in Heart Failure. Am J. Phyisol., 281:H2241-H2251, 2001
  12. Francis, J., Weiss, R.M., Wei, S.G., Johnson, A.K., and Felder, R.B.:  Progression of Heart Failure after Myocardial Infarction in the Rat.  Am. J. Physiol., 281:R1734-R1745, 2001.
  13. Wei, S.G., and Felder, R.B.: The Forebrain Renin-Angiotensin System has a Tonic Excitatory Influence on Renal Sympathetic Nerve Activity. Am. J. Physiol.: Heart, 282:H890-H895, 2002.
  14. Francis, J., Wei, S.G., Weiss, R.M., Beltz, T., Johnson, A.K., and Felder, R.B.: Forebrain-Mediated Adaptations to Myocardial Infarction in the Rat. Am. J. Physiol., 282:H1898-H1906, 2002.
  15. Zhang, Z.H., Francis, J., Weiss, R.M., and Felder, R.B.:  The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Excites Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Neurons in Heart Failure. Am. J. Physiol., 283:H423-H433, 2002.
  16. Francis, J., Weiss, R.M., Johnson, A.K., and Felder, R.B.:  Central Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blockade Decreases Plasma TNF- a after Coronary Artery Ligation in Rats. Am. J. Physiol., 284:R328-R335, 2003.
  17. Grippo, A.J., Francis, J., Weiss, R.M., Felder, R.B. and Johnson, A.K.:  Cytokine Mediation of Experimental Heart Failure-induced Anhedonia. Am. J. Physiol., 284:R666-R673, 2003.
  18. Zhang, Z.H., Wei, S.G., Francis, J., and Felder, R.B: Cardiovascular and Sympathetic Activation by Blood-borne TNF- a in Rat: The Role of Central Prostaglandins. Am. J. Physiol. 284(4):R916-R927, 2003.
  19. Francis, J., Beltz, T., Johnson, A.K., and Felder, R.B.:  Mineralocorticoids Act Centrally to Regulate Blood-borne Tumor Necrosis Factor- a in Normal Rats. Am. J. Physiol., 285:R1402-R1409, 2003.
  20. Felder, R.B., Francis, J., Zhang, Z.H., Wei, S.G., Weiss, R.M., and Johnson, A.K.:  Heart Failure and the Brain:  New Perspectives (Review).  Am. J. Physiol.: Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol., 284:R259-R276, 2003.
  21. Zhang, Z.H., and Felder, R.B.:  Melanocortin Receptors Mediate the Excitatory Effects of Blood-borne Murine Leptin on Hypothalamic Paraventricular Neurons in Rat. Am. J. Physiol., 286:R303-R310, 2004.
  22. Grippo, A. J., Santos, C. M., Johnson, R. F., Beltz, T. G., Martins, J. B., Felder R. B., and Johnson, A. K. Increased Susceptibility to Ventricular Arrhythmias in a Rodent Model of Experimental Depression. Am. J. Physiol., 286:H619-H626, 2004.
  23. Francis, J., Zhang, Z.H., Weiss, R.M., and Felder R.B.: Neural Regulation of the Proinflammatory Cytokine Response to Acute Myocardial Infarction. Am. J. Physiol., 287: H791-H797, 2004.

Links of Interest

Back to Cardiovascular Medicine Faculty List