MUSC researchers receive continued support for infant studies
March 28, 2012
March of Dimes SC chapter funds more than $400,000 for two scientists
CHARLESTON, SC – March 28, 2012 – The March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter again awarded grants totaling $404,715 to Xuejun Wen, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Bioengineering, Cell Biology and Anatomy assistant professor, MUSC and Clemson University, and Lakshmi D. Katikaneni, M.D., MUSC
Department of Neonatology professor.
Both researchers were recognized by March of Dimes as continuing to advance the treatment of premature babies and those born with birth defects, as well as seeking new ways to prevent these health problems.
Wen is working to develop a new generation of more effectivecochlear implants, electronic hearing devices surgically implanted in the inner ear to help stimulate hearing. One of the most common birth defects, hearing impairment affects about 12,000 babies each year in the United States. This impairment puts them at risk for delayed development of language and communication skills. Many children with severe hearing loss
continue to lose nerve cells in the inner ear, a problem that has
compromised the effectiveness of cochlear implants in the past.
New implants
would contain living cells that continuously deliver nerve-sustaining substances to the inner ear to help prevent nerve cell loss, and potentially improve hearing.
Katikaneni is studying the effectiveness of new imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, in determining the severity of braininjuries in newborns of mothers with chorioamnionitis. Chorioamnionitis, a uterine infection 5 to 10 percent of pregnant women develop, is a common cause of premature labor. In some cases, this infection may cause
inflammation in the baby’s brain, resulting in brain damage, cerebral palsy and learning problems. Current imaging techniques are inadequate for early detection of brain injury, which could allow for prompt treatment to prevent further brain damage and improve the child’s outcome.
For more information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 13,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $1.7 billion. MUSC operates a 700-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical
oncology), and a leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit www.musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit www.muschealth.com.
