Keith M. Vogt, MD, PhD, FASA

Research Program

• Determining the neural effects of diverse anesthetics on memory formation and the experience of pain

• Development of functional connectivity MRI as a neurosignature for pain and cognitive vulnerability

• Use of perioperative data to predict/prevent adverse outcomes, with a particular interest in neurologic and psychiatric data/outcomes

Dr. Vogt's research broadly applies bioengineering principles to better understand human neuroscience relevant to anesthesiology and perioperative medicine. The focus of his currently funded project is on how human memory is affected by sedation with diverse anesthetic agents while concomitantly experiencing painful stimulation. Specifically, his group is determining the neural correlates of successful memory encoding during drug-induced sedation. He is further examining what physiologic measurements could reveal a learned sympathetic response to aversive stimuli, despite no explicit recollection of the event. This human experimental model is particularly relevant to the experience of surgery and anesthesia, where aversive experiences may be experienced with impaired contextualization. Dr. Vogt’s research comparing midazolam and ketamine was a featured article in Anesthesiology, and his functional connectivity work was recognized with a best-in-category Kosaka award at the 2021 IARS annual meeting. Dr. Vogt is the Director of our Anesthesiology Neuroscience Research Program.

Educational Interests

Dr. Vogt is strongly committed to advancing scholarly education during clinical training programs. He has helped develop the curriculum and continues to co-direct the novel Anesthesiology Professional Practice rotation for our PGY1 residents.  Additionally, he directs the Pittsburgh ANesTHEsiology Research (PANTHER) track for training future physician scientists. He is committed to the mentorship of diverse graduate and medical trainees at all levels and supports faculty colleagues interested in advancement in academic medicine.