Max B. Kelz, MD PhD

Lee A. Fleisher, MD Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care
Department: Anesthesiology and Critical Care
Graduate Group Affiliations
Contact information
3620 Hamilton Walk,
John Morgan Building - Room 339
Philadelphia, PA 19104
John Morgan Building - Room 339
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: 215 573-8208
Fax: 215 349-5078
Lab: 215 898-8929
Fax: 215 349-5078
Lab: 215 898-8929
Email:
kelz@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
kelz@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Links
Max Kelz, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Kelz lab home page
Max Kelz, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Kelz lab home page
Education:
BS (Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry)
Yale University, 1993.
MS (Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry)
Yale University, 1993.
PhD (Neuroscience)
Yale University, 1999.
MD (Medicine)
Yale University, 2000.
Permanent linkBS (Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry)
Yale University, 1993.
MS (Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry)
Yale University, 1993.
PhD (Neuroscience)
Yale University, 1999.
MD (Medicine)
Yale University, 2000.
Description of Research Expertise
Molecular Mechanisms of Anesthetic ActionNeurobiology of Sleep Wake Regulation
Mouse Genetics
Molecular Biology
Anesthetic pharmacology
Description of Clinical Expertise
AnesthesiologySelected Publications
Somnay YR, Wang A, Lim H, Griffiths KK, Zandkarimi F, Chen K, Yang G, Wasilczuk AZ, Kelz MB, Larr D, Yang M, Gil-Iturbe E, Moon A, Quick M, Levy RJ.: Effects of the quinone analog, ubiquinone-5, on murine mitochondria and hypnosis. Anesthesiology May 2025.Dávila DG, McKinstry-Wu A, Kelz MB, Proekt A.: The Administration of Ketamine Is Associated with Dose-Dependent Stabilization of Cortical Dynamics in Humans. J Neurosci 45: e1545242025, May 2025.
Cichon J, Joseph TT, Lu X, Wasilczuk AZ, Kelz MB, Mennerick SJ, Zorumski CF, Nagele P.: Nitrous oxide activates layer 5 prefrontal neurons via SK2 channel inhibition for antidepressant effect. Nat Commun 16: 2999, Apr 2025.
Imamura T, Wasilczuk AZ, Reitz SL, Lian J, Imamura M, Keenan BT, Shimizu N, Pack AI, Kelz MB.: Parafacial GABAergic neurone ablation induces behavioural resistance to volatile anaesthetic-induced hypnosis without reducing sleep. Br J Anaesth 2025.
Aggarwal A, Luo J, Chung H, Contreras D, Kelz MB, Proekt A.: Neural assemblies coordinated by cortical waves are associated with waking and hallucinatory brain states. Cell Rep 43: 114017, Apr 2024.
Wasilczuk AZ, Rinehart C, Aggarwal A, Stone ME, Mashour GA, Avidan MS, Kelz MB, Proekt A; ReCCognition Study Group.: Hormonal basis of sex differences in anesthetic sensitivity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 121: e2312913120, Jan 2024.
McKinstry-Wu AR, Wasilczuk AZ, Dailey WP, Eckenhoff RG, Kelz MB.: In Vivo Photoadduction of Anesthetic Ligands in Mouse Brain Markedly Extends Sedation and Hypnosis. J Neurosci 43(13): 2338-48, Mar 2023.
Labonte AK, Kafashan MM, Huels ER, Blain-Moraes S, Basner M, Kelz MB, Mashour GA, Avidan MS, Palanca BJ, ReCCognition Study Group: The posterior dominant rhythm: An electroencephalographic biomarker for cognitive recovery after general anaesthesia. Br J Anaesth 130(2): e233-e242, Feb 2023.
Lennertz R, Pryor KO, Raz A, Parker M, Bonhomme V, Schuller P, Schneider G, Moore M, Coburn M, Root JC, Emerson JM, Hohmann AL, Azaria H, Golomb N, Defresne A, Montupil J, Pilge S, Obert DP, van Waart H, Seretny M, Rossaint R, Kowark A, Blair A, Krause B, Proekt A, Kelz M, Sleigh J, Gaskell A, Sanders RD.: Connected consciousness after tracheal intubation in young adults: an international multicentre cohort study. Br J Anaesth 130(2): e217-e224, Feb 2023.
Cichon J, Wasilczuk AZ, Looger LL, Contreras D, Kelz MB, Proekt A.: Ketamine triggers a switch in excitatory neuronal activity across neocortex. Nat Neurosci 26(1): 39-52, Jan 2023.