Dr. Michael Karl Racke, MD

Expert Publications

• Blockade of CD28 during in vitro activation of encephalitogenic T cells or after disease onset ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
• Differential requirements of naïve and memory T cells for CD28 costimulation in autoimmune pathogenesis.
• Age dependence of clinical and pathological manifestations of autoimmune demyelination. Implications for multiple sclerosis.
• T cells are the main cell type expressing B7-1 and B7-2 in the central nervous system during acute, relapsing and chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
• The role of CTLA-4 in tolerance induction and T cell differentiation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: i.p. antigen administration.
• The role of CTLA-4 in tolerance induction and ttigen administration cell differentiation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: i. v. antigen administration.
• Retrovirus mediated gene transfer of the self antigen MBP into the bone marrow of mice alters resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
• The role of costimulation in autoimmune demyelination.
• Developmentally regulated gene expression of Th2 cytokines in the brain.
• Role of nerve growth factor in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
• Ocular contrapulsion in multiple sclerosis: clinical features and pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Autonomic regulation of neuroimmunological responses: implications for multiple
• T cell epitopes of human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein identified in HLA-DR4 (DRB1*0401) transgenic mice are encephalitogenic and are presented by human B cells.
• Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
• Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) therapy induces CD8(+) T cell responses in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Media Releases

Leading Expert in Neuroimmunology Joins Quest Diagnostics to Enhance Neurological Care and Research

Michael Karl Racke, MD, currently serves as the Medical Director for Neurology at Quest Diagnostics at their Powell, Ohio facility. Dr. Racke is a distinguished leader in the field of neurology and neuroimmunology, renowned for his expertise in multiple sclerosis and commitment to advancing neurological care through innovative research and clinical practice.

Dr. Racke earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He then completed a rigorous medical internship and neurology residency at Emory University School of Medicine. Following this, he pursued a fellowship in neuroimmunology at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he honed his skills in understanding complex neurological disorders.

As a board-certified neurologist by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Racke is a respected member of prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Neurology and the American Association of Immunologists. His extensive background equips him to lead Quest Diagnostics’ efforts in neurology, particularly in the development of novel diagnostic tests and therapeutic monitoring for neurological disorders.

Dr. Racke’s research is groundbreaking, focusing on creating advanced methodologies to assess and monitor therapeutic responses in conditions such as multiple sclerosis. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and reviews that delve into the pathogenesis of neuroimmunological diseases, contributing significantly to the scientific community’s understanding of these conditions. His impactful work has earned him recognition as one of the Best Doctors in America for more than two decades.

With over thirty years of leadership experience in both academia and clinical practice, Dr. Racke is poised to make substantial contributions to Quest Diagnostics. His involvement on several national professional society committees further underscores his commitment to enhancing neurological care and research.

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