Lacy Alexander

Professor of Kinesiology

113 Noll Lab
University Park,
lma191@psu.edu
814-867-1781

Research Summary

Dr. Alexander utilizes in vivo and in vitro approaches using the human cutaneous circulation to examine the underlying signaling mechanisms mediating microvascular dysfunction with primary human aging, hypercholesterolemia, and essential hypertension.

Huck Affiliations

Integrative and Biomedical Physiology

Publication Tags

Skin Vasodilation Nitric Oxide Dilatation Endothelium Blood Vessels Hydrogen Sulfide Reflex Pre Eclampsia Temperature Therapeutics Hot Temperature Health Young Adult Blood Pressure Microvessels Hypertension Heating Heat Shock Response Microdialysis Major Depressive Disorder Nitric Oxide Synthase Type Iii Nitric Oxide Synthase Laser Doppler Flowmetry Inflammation

Most Recent Publications

Short-term salicylate treatment improves microvascular endotheliumdependent dilation in young adults with major depressive disorder

Jody L. Greaney, Erika F.H. Saunders, Lacy M. Alexander, 2022, American Journal of Physiology on p. H880-H889

Why gender equity should remain a focus for the American Physiological Society

Nina S. Stachenfeld, Lacy M. Alexander, 2022, American Journal of Physiology on p. H575-H578

Acute systemic inhibition of inflammation augments endothelium-dependent dilation in women with a history of preeclamptic pregnancy

Anna E. Stanhewicz, Gabrielle A. Dillon, Corinna Serviente, Lacy M. Alexander, 2022, Pregnancy Hypertension on p. 81-86

Nitric oxide-mediated cutaneous microvascular function is not altered in young adults following mild-to-moderate SARS CoV-2 infection

Gabrielle A. Dillon, S. Tony Wolf, Lacy M. Alexander, 2022, American Journal of Physiology on p. H319-H327

Women with a history of preeclampsia have preserved sensory nerve-mediated dilatation in the cutaneous microvasculature

Michael Pyevich, Lacy M. Alexander, Anna E. Stanhewicz, 2022, Experimental Physiology on p. 175-182

Menthol-induced activation of TRPM8 receptors increases cutaneous blood flow across the dermatome

Gabrielle A. Dillon, Zachary S. Lichter, Lacy M. Alexander, 2022, Microvascular Research

Vascular Health Triad in Humans With Hypertension—Not the Usual Suspects

Sushant M. Ranadive, Gabrielle A. Dillon, Sara E. Mascone, Lacy M. Alexander, 2021, Frontiers in Physiology

Hydrogen sulfide-dependent microvascular vasodilation is improved following chronic sulfhydryl-donating antihypertensive pharmacotherapy in adults with hypertension

Gabrielle A. Dillon, Anna E. Stanhewicz, Corinna Serviente, Jody L. Greaney, Lacy M. Alexander, 2021, American Journal of Physiology on p. H728-H734

Life course pathways from parental education to age-related decrements in kidney function among Black and white American adults

Agus Surachman, Alexis R. Santos, Jonathan K. Daw, Lacy Alexander, David M. Almeida, Christopher L. Coe, 2021, Psychoneuroendocrinology

Temperature regulation during exercise in the heat: Insights for the aging athlete

W. Larry Kenney, S. Tony Wolf, Gabrielle A. Dillon, Craig W. Berry, Lacy M. Alexander, 2021, Australian Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport on p. 739-746

Most-Cited Papers

Heat waves aging and human cardiovascular health

W. Larry Kenney, Daniel H. Craighead, Lacy M. Alexander, 2014, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise on p. 1891-1899

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase mediates cutaneous vasodilation during local heating and is attenuated in middle-aged human skin

Rebecca S. Bruning, Lakshmi Santhanam, Anna E. Stanhewicz, Caroline J. Smith, Dan E. Berkowitz, W. Larry Kenney, Lacy A. Holowatz, 2012, Journal of Applied Physiology on p. 2019-2026

Local tetrahydrobiopterin administration augments reflex cutaneous vasodilation through nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms in aged human skin

Anna E. Stanhewicz, Rebecca S. Bruning, Caroline J. Smith, W. Larry Kenney, Lacy A. Holowatz, 2012, Journal of Applied Physiology on p. 791-797

Impaired Hydrogen Sulfide-Mediated Vasodilation Contributes to Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertensive Adults

Jody L. Greaney, Jessica L. Kutz, Sean W. Shank, Sandeep Jandu, Lakshmi Santhanam, Lacy M. Alexander, 2017, Hypertension on p. 902-909

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase mediates the nitric oxide component of reflex cutaneous vasodilatation during dynamic exercise in humans

Tanner C. Mcnamara, Jeremy T. Keen, Grant H. Simmons, Lacy M. Alexander, Brett J. Wong, 2014, Journal of Physiology on p. 5317-5326

Increased Angiotensin II Sensitivity Contributes to Microvascular Dysfunction in Women Who Have Had Preeclampsia

Anna E. Stanhewicz, Sandeep Jandu, Lakshmi Santhanam, Lacy M. Alexander, 2017, Hypertension on p. 382-389

Evidence for a functional vasodilatatory role for hydrogen sulphide in the human cutaneous microvasculature

Jessica L. Kutz, Jody L. Greaney, Lakshmi Santhanam, Lacy M. Alexander, 2015, Journal of Physiology on p. 2121-2129

Oxidative Stress Contributes to Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Men and Women With Major Depressive Disorder

Jody L. Greaney, Erika F.H. Saunders, Lakshmi Santhanam, Lacy M. Alexander, 2019, Circulation Research on p. 564-574

Sympathetic regulation during thermal stress in human aging and disease

Jody L. Greaney, W. Larry Kenney, Lacy M. Alexander, 2016, Journal of the Autonomic Nervous System on p. 81-90

Folic acid supplementation improves microvascular function in older adults through nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms

Anna E. Stanhewicz, Lacy M. Alexander, W. Larry Kenney, 2015, Clinical Science on p. 159-167

News Articles Featuring Lacy Alexander

Jul 23, 2022

People with endometriosis might be at higher risk for stroke

According to a study published Thursday in Stroke, a journal of the American Stroke Association (part of the American Heart Association), people with endometriosis — a common gynecological condition marked by pain in the pelvis and back, painful and heavy periods, and infertility — were at a 34 percent greater risk of developing a stroke compared to their non-endometriosis peers.

Full Article