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May 31st, 2009 --
Conquer Chiari is proud to announce
that it has awarded $220,000 in research grants. The grants were the
result of a highly competitive call for proposals which generated many
interesting and worthwhile proposals. The Conquer Chiari Research
Committee carefully reviewed each proposal and made a funding recommendation
to the Board of Directors, who then approved the following grants.
These awards are the direct result of the hard work of those involved with
the Walk Across America and the Pediatric Gala and represent an important
step forward in march to Conquer Chiari:
Cognitive Function in Chiari
Malformation
A $75,000 grant to Dr. David Frim,
at the University of Chicago, to address one of the most pressing questions
Chiari patients have: Does Chiari affect thinking, memory, and
concentration? Dr. Frim will employ techniques developed in studying
hydrocephalus to evaluate the cognitive impact of Chiari on both pediatric
and adult patients. If a cognitive profile associated with Chiari is
identified, it can then be used to develop therapeutic interventions to
lessen the cognitive impact of Chiari and improve outcomes.
Molecular Neural Crest-mesoderm
Interactions and Control Networks Affected in Chiari (Phase II)
A $75,000 grant to extend the work of
Dr. Koentges in identifying the regulatory regions (CRM) directing the gene
expressions in the development of the cranial base and neck regions. The
research will use advanced genomic analysis techniques to identify key CRMs
in the neural crest components of the skull and neck regions as related to
key, unique clinical features of Chiari. Establishing the full host of cis-regulatory
regions potentially implicated in Chiari will assist clinicians and human
geneticists in resolving the varied symptoms associated with the syndrome
and create unique profiles that may be predictive of diagnosis and treatment
outcomes as part of a comprehensive re-classification based on genetic
grounds.
Characterization of Chiari Clinical
Subtypes by Expression Analysis
A $54,000 grant to Dr. Simon Gregory,
a geneticist at Duke University, to perform genetic analysis on pediatric
Chiari patients undergoing surgery, in order to identify clinical
sub-groups. Dr. Gregory will examine blood and tissue samples from the
patients and correlate the genetic expression(s) with clinical indicators,
such as skull dimensions and the presence of a syrinx. The Conquer Chiari
Research Conference in 2008 highlighted the identification of specific
sub-groups of Chiari patients as critical to improving treatments and
outcomes, especially in children.
Prospective Evaluation of Release of Tethered Spinal Cord in Patients with
Chiari I Malformation, Syringomyelia, or Scoliosis
A two-year clinical grant to Dr. John
Oro, at the Chiari Care Center, to study the effects of tethered cord
release surgery in patients with clinical signs and symptoms of tethered
cord and Chiari and/or syringomyelia. The relationship between tethered
cord and Chiari is controversial as is the treatment of patients with
indications of both. This well structured, prospective research study
should provide insight into the connection between tethered cord and Chiari
and how best to treat such patients.
MR
Measurement of CSF Wave Speed, Distribution of CSF Velocity and Pressure,
Longitudinal
Impedance, and Skull Base Geometry in Chiari Patients
Additional funds have been awarded to this project which was funded last
year. The work involves a collaboration of researchers looking for
new, objective indicators of symptomatic Chiari. Published research has
shown time and again that the old definition of Chiari, based on the amount
of tonsillar herniation below the foramen magnum, is not a good indicator of
symptom severity or the need for surgery. The overall aim of this project
is to identify novel methods of analysis that distinguish symptomatic Chiari
I patients who require treatment, from individuals with asymptomatic Chiari
I (incidental tonsial ectopia) using advanced imaging and engineering
techniques.
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