Tustin, Calif., Oct. 22, 2019 – The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Research & Education (R&E) Foundation awarded its 2019 Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc./ RSNA Research Seed Grant to Eric James Hohenwalter, M.D., and the 2019 Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc./RSNA Research Resident Grants to Arash Nazeri, M.D. and Aaron Benjamin Simon, M.D., Ph.D. These grants are made possible by Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc.’s support of the RSNA R&E Foundation.
The Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc./RSNA Research Seed Grant provides $40,000 for a one-year project to test hypotheses and obtain pilot data in preparation for major grant applications.
Eric James Hohenwalter, M.D., Medical College of Wisconsin, with scientific advisors Sarah White, M.D., M.S. and Kaila Redifer Tremblay, M.D. will study the immediate impact of TIPS creation on cardiac function by prospectively obtaining invasive perioperative measurements. Using the prospective data, the investigators aim to determine the correlation between non-invasive transthoracic echocardiogram measurements and invasive perioperative hemodynamic parameters to better understand preoperative cardiac risk of patients undergoing TIPS creation. By improving preoperative risk stratification, the team will institute a novel postoperative recovery algorithm using a multidisciplinary approach for patients identified as high risk for postoperative cardiac complications. The new standard of care developed with this grant may be used to improve longitudinal outcomes in patients undergoing TIPS.
The Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc./RSNA Research Resident Grant provides $30,000 for one year to a top resident to devote 50% of their time for a research project under the guidance of a scientific advisor. Through this project, residents can learn about scientific investigation and develop competence in research techniques.
Arash Nazeri, M.D., Washington University in St. Louis, with scientific advisor, Hong Chen, Ph.D., will investigate whether focal transient opening of blood-brain barrier using focused ultrasound can help release the abnormal protein aggregates that are pathological hallmarks of frontotemporal lobar degeneration subtypes from the brain to the circulating blood in animal models. Ultimately, this technique could be used for space/time-resolved liquid biopsy and accurate non-invasive diagnosis of complex neurodegenerative disorders.
Aaron Benjamin Simon, M.D., Ph.D., University of California San Diego, will investigate whether early changes in blood flow to arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) after treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), as measured by 4D Flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are predictive of eventual angiographic obliteration. If successful, 4D Flow MRI could allow physicians to predict treatment success months to years earlier than current techniques permit, increasing their ability both to counsel patients and to make medical decisions in cases with a delayed angiographic response.
In 2019, the R&E Foundation Board of Trustees approved over $5 million in grant funding. “By investing in the outstanding projects proposed by our innovative researchers and educators, Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc. joins with the R&E Foundation in seeding the future of radiology. The Board of Trustees expresses its deepest appreciation for Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc.’s commitment to the specialty and is grateful for this enduring partnership,” said Thomas M. Grist, M.D., Chair of the RSNA R&E Foundation Board of Trustees.
