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Brent Wagner, MD, Nephrology, Albuquerque, NM, Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

BrentWagnerMDFASN, FACP

Nephrology • Albuquerque, NM

Director, Kidney Institute of New Mexico Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of New Mexico Health Science Center Associate Chief of Staff, Research Section and Renal Section Staff Physician, Raymond G. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital New Mexico Veterans Administration Health Care System

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  • Office

    Biomedical Research Facility 323J, MSC04 2785
    1 University of New Mexico
    Albuquerque, NM 87131
    Phone+1 505-925-1065
    Fax+1 236-602-5181
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Summary

  • I am a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center, the inaugural Director of the Kidney Institute of New Mexico, the Associate Chief of Staff for the Research Service, and a Renal Section staff physician of the New Mexico Veterans Administration Health Care System. My interests are the molecular and cellular mechanisms of magnetic resonance imaging contrast-induced diseases, including ‘nephrogenic’ systemic fibrosis and gadolinium deposition disease. Systemic fibrosis is a severely disabling and potentially fatal disorder occurring in patients with compromised kidney function. Ours is the only laboratory in the world to develop chimeric rodent models using tagged bone marrow to trace myeloid lineages to affected tissues, including CD68-positive and CD163-positive macrophages. Recently, we have found overlapping mechanisms of obesity-induced diabetes and gadolinium contrast in inducing renal pathologies. In 2023, we reported that intracellular gadolinium-rich nanoparticles form from routine magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent use in patients with normal kidney function. Our work (in combination with the growing concern about gadolinium retention in patients with normal renal function) led to the invitation by the Medical Imaging Drugs Advisory Committee of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide the introductory address, “Pathophysiology of gadolinium-based contrast agents and retention of gadolinium.”

    • Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) Education

    Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) is a rare disease caused by gadolinium-based contract agents used in MRI.

    THGPP Episode 4: Brent Wagner MD- Gadolinium based contrast agents. Are they saf

    Dr. Wagner is a clinical nephrologist. He is the Director of the Kidney Institute of New Mexico.

    A Question for Anyone Getting an MRI

    Most patients getting an MRI don't know to ask a critical question: Will the MRI use gadolinium or not?

    GAD is still BAD: A Commentary - NephJC

    Gadolinium-induced systemic fibrosis has been a recognized chronic and severe reaction since 2006. ( 'Nephrogenic' systemic fibrosis is a misnomer.)

    The pathophysiology and retention of gadolinium

    September 8, 2017 presentation to the United States Food & Drug Administration Medical Imaging Drugs Advisory Committee

    #NephMadness 2018: Gadolinium Toxicity - Gaps in Knowledge

    Brent Wagner, MD Dr. Wagner is the inaugural Director of the Kidney Institute of New Mexico, the Renal Section Chief of the New Mexico Veterans Administration H

Education & Training

  • U Texas HSC
    U Texas HSC2005
  • University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Joe and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
    University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Joe and Teresa Lozano Long School of MedicineInternship, Internal Medicine, 2000 - 2001
  • U Texas HSC
    U Texas HSC2001
  • University of New Mexico School of Medicine
    University of New Mexico School of MedicineClass of 1999
  • University of New Mexico Biomedical Sciences Graduate Progam
    University of New Mexico Biomedical Sciences Graduate ProgamMS, Biomedical Sciences, 1995
  • University of New Mexico
    University of New MexicoBA, Chemistry, 1992
  • University of New Mexico
    University of New MexicoBS, Biology, 1990

Certifications & Licensure

  • NM State Medical License
    NM State Medical License 2018 - 2025
  • TX State Medical License
    TX State Medical License 2001 - 2024
  • American Board of Internal Medicine Internal Medicine
  • American Board of Internal Medicine Nephrology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • Inagural Director Kidney Institute of New Mexico, 2018
  • Tenure University of Texas HSC, 2017
  • Fellow (FACP) American College of Physicians, 2011
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Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Direct and efficient cellular transformation of primary rat mesenchymal precursor cells by KSHV.  
    Jones T, Ye F, Bedolla R, Huang Y, Meng J, Qian L, Pan H, Zhou F, Moody R, Wagner BT, Arar MY, J Clin Invest 2012 Mar;22(3):1076-1081
  • Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) directly inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor-{kappa}B ligand (RANKL) expression by osteoblasts.  
    Wittrant Y, Gorin Y, Mohan S, Wagner B, Abboud-Werner SL, Endocrinology 2009 Nov;150(11):4977-4988
  • Absorption of D-[14C]-Glucose and D-[3H]-Mannose in Everted Rat Jejunum.  
    Wagner B, Galey WR, American Nuclear Society Transactions 1997 Nov;77:544- 545
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Abstracts/Posters

  • PDGF-BB Induces Vasculogenesis by Mouse Kidney Progenitor Cells in Three-Dimensional Culture.
    Velagapudi C, Lee, Myung-Ja, Burns HA, Wagner BT, Barnes, Veronique L, Abboud HE, Barnes JL, Department of Medicine Research Day, San Antonio, TX
  • Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: The contribution of bone marrow-derived fibrocytes to skin lesions and the association with L-cathepsin.
    Vasquez, K, Wagner BT, Department of Medicine Research Day
  • Gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast leads to organ-specific fibrosis associated with fibrocyte accumulation in a rodent model of nephrogenic systemic ...
    Wagner BT, Ahuja SS, Barnes JL, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology; vol. 22
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Lectures

  • Nullis in verba: The physiologic basis of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. 
    University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
  • The Sommelier at the Fire Hydrant: Keeping up with, finding, and assessing the medical literature. 
    University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
  • Dr. Conrad Murray OR- HOW i LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE ACGME. 
    University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
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Press Mentions

  • UNM Study Looks into Disease Linked to MRI Fluid
    UNM Study Looks into Disease Linked to MRI FluidMarch 6th, 2022
  • The Pathophysiology and Retention of Gadolinium
    The Pathophysiology and Retention of GadoliniumFebruary 22nd, 2019
  • Rosuvastatin-Induced Rhabdomyolysis, Pancreatitis, Transaminitis, and Acute Kidney Injury
    Rosuvastatin-Induced Rhabdomyolysis, Pancreatitis, Transaminitis, and Acute Kidney InjuryNovember 17th, 2021

Grant Support

  • Merit Review AwardDepartment of Veterans Affairs2013–Present
  • Career Development Award (CDA-2)Department of Veterans Affairs2010–2013
  • New Investigator AwardDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VISN 17)2008–2010
  • Fellow–to–Faculty Transition AwardAmerican Heart Association2005–2010

Committees

  • Member, safety of gadolinium-based contrast agents, Technical Expert Panel, Department of Veterans Affairs Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, Durham VA Evidence-based Synthesis Center 2018 - 2019

Research History

  • Site co-investigatorA Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Ad26.COV2.S for the Prevention of SARS-Cov-2-mediated CoviD-19 in Adults 18 Years and Older. Janssen/Johnson & Johnson ENSEMBLE trial.2020 - 2022

Professional Memberships

Hospital Affiliations

Dr. Brent Wagner, Dr. Brent Wagner, MD, Dr. B Wagner