DREAM CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS 11 RESEARCH FUNDING PRIORITIES
The Department of Anesthesiology has many areas of research focus as we provide anesthetic care to the full spectrum of surgical patients ranging from pediatric to geriatric. Although all subspecialties in anesthesiology (e.g. pediatric, women’s, cardiac, pain, basic science) have research programs, some arenas have had a longer history and track record within the Department.
For example, the long-term objective of the multidisciplinary Neurological Outcome Research Group (NORG), comprising anesthesiologists, surgeons, perfusionists, neurologists, and behavioral psychologists, is to understand the mechanisms underlying neurologic and cognitive dysfunction after surgery and to reduce the incidence of these devastating outcomes.
NORG has performed multiple investigations assessing both cognitive decline after surgery and the predictors of this decline. Most recently, these investigators have completed important studies to assess:
(1) The longitudinal (five-year follow-up) effect of cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery.
(2) The role of genetics in modulating cognitive decline.
(3) The efficacy of perioperative interventions such as temperature management, blood transfusion, and drug therapy to prevent cognitive injury.
Although there is a need for financial support in all areas of research, it is our desire to raise philanthropic support for those programs that have been successful but are now in danger of having to reduce activity because of declining federal support. These philanthropic efforts will also help initiate new programs that are most likely to succeed in generating independent federal funding.
What each of these efforts have in common is their high likelihood of producing significant results which will improve the way that anesthesiologists treat their patients, and ultimately, which will result in measurable gains in the quality of life for patients after surgery. While the Department is also pursuing other key research projects, 11 have been chosen as priority projects based on the financial parameters of the campaign.
To learn more about our 11 funding priories please click on the images above.
If you are interested in becoming a donor to the Duke Dream Campaign, please contact Elizabeth Perez at elizabeth.perez@duke.edu or 919-681-2849.