News Summary
Kristi Streeter, an assistant professor at Marquette University, has been awarded a $2.7 million NIH grant to investigate innovative treatments for enhancing independent breathing in patients with cervical spinal cord injuries. The research aims to explore electrical stimulation of the diaphragm to improve respiratory function and reduce reliance on mechanical ventilation. This funding highlights the importance of advancing respiratory therapies for spinal cord injury patients and reflects a commitment to innovative medical research.
Milwaukee – Kristi Streeter, an assistant professor of physical therapy at Marquette University, has been awarded a prestigious five-year grant totaling $2.7 million from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This funding is earmarked for research focused on enhancing independent breathing function in patients who have suffered cervical spinal cord injuries.
The research aims to address a critical health issue, as paralysis of the diaphragm and associated breathing impairments rank among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality for individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries. The complexity and severity of these injuries can greatly affect respiratory capabilities, and current treatment options primarily involve reliance on mechanical ventilation, which is not a long-term solution for many patients.
This NIH grant allows Streeter and her research team to explore innovative treatment methods. Specifically, they plan to investigate electrical stimulation of the diaphragm, which has shown early promise in previous studies as a potential method to help restore natural breathing abilities in affected individuals. By focusing on the role of diaphragm sensory neurons, the research seeks to identify novel therapeutic targets that could improve respiratory function following spinal cord injuries.
The dean of Marquette’s College of Health Sciences, William Cullinan, noted that the funding from the NIH highlights the importance and potential impact of Streeter’s research. This study has the potential to reshape the approach to managing breathing insufficiency associated with cervical spinal cord injuries, offering hope for improved patient outcomes in respiratory health.
This grant comes at a critical time for research programs in Wisconsin, many of which are navigating challenges related to recent funding cuts and shifts in NIH policies concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion in research funding. Securing support from the NIH puts Marquette University and its researchers in a strong position to advance scientific understanding and treatment options for a complex medical issue.
The implications of this research extend beyond the immediate benefits for patients. The findings could lead to broader advancements in the field of respiratory therapy, transforming approaches to care for individuals with spinal cord injuries and potentially influencing treatments for other neurological disorders that affect breathing.
Streeter’s work aligns with a growing interest in exploring less conventional methods for treating spinal cord injuries, emphasizing the importance of innovative strategies in medical research. As the research progresses, there is optimism within the scientific community regarding the possibility of developing more effective treatment paradigms that do not solely rely on mechanical devices.
Marquette University remains committed to health sciences research, and the funding from the NIH further solidifies its role as a leader in this field. The collaboration between researchers and institutions like the NIH showcases a shared commitment to advancing medical science and improving lives through innovative research.
As research continues, the hope is that findings from this project will translate into real-world applications that enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from cervical spinal cord injuries, offering them newfound independence and improved respiratory health.
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Marquette University Secures NIH Grant for Breathing Research
Additional Resources
- Urban Milwaukee: Wisconsin Researchers Sound Alarm Over DEI-Related Research Cuts
- Wikipedia: National Institutes of Health
- TMJ4: NIH Funding Cuts Will Impact Wisconsin Institutions and Organizations
- Google Search: NIH Funding Cuts Wisconsin
- Journal Sentinel: UW-Madison Loses $12.6 Million in Research Grants Amid Trump DEI Cuts
- Google Scholar: NIH Funding Research Cuts
- Urban Milwaukee: Wisconsin Joins Lawsuit to Block NIH Funding Cuts Under Trump
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NIH
- BizTimes: NIH Funding Cuts Could Impact Medical Research in Milwaukee
- Google News: Wisconsin Spinal Cord Injury Research
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