New NIH grants cover research into aspirin and colon cancer, acupuncture for pain and inflammation and heart disease. We link to the new grants — and a few notable renewals — below. You can find more on the NIH Reporter, a handy database of grants, mandated by Congress
INFLAMMATION AND INFECTION IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Salomon Amar , Boston University Medical School, $406.250
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide. The results of the proposed experiments will define the role of immune sensing in infection-associated atherogenesis and pave the way for pharmacological interventions aimed reducing or preventing atherogenesis.
A METHOD FOR EVALUATING ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY IN PAIN MANAGEMENT
Lucy Chen, MGH, $433,694
Project Narrative In recent years, acupuncture has gained its popularity in the United States of America as a modality of complementary and alternative medicine for treating many clinical conditions including pain. However, the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture therapy remains difficult to assess. In this project, a new approach will be developed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy. This new approach could be used to compare the therapeutic effects on clinical pain between acupuncture (other forms of alternative medicine as well) and conventional medicine.
INFLAMMATION AND COLORECTAL NEOPLASIA
Andrew Chan, MGH, $540,063
Although aspirin can prevent colorectal cancer, a leading cause of death in the U.S., its optimal use in light of its toxicities remains uncertain. We will investigate the role of inflammation in colorectal carcinogenesis to define predictors of susceptibility for tailored preventative strategies.
Here are links to a few of the studies that saw their NIH funding renewed in July and August: