IHRF Scientific Advisor Awarded NSBRI/NASA Grant to Study Non-Invasive Pressure Monitoring
IHRF Scientific Advisor Awarded NSBRI/NASA Grant to Study Non-Invasive Pressure Monitoring
August, 2012- Sinai Hospital of Baltimore and Michael Williams, M.D., an IHRF Scientific Advisor, a member of the IHRF NASA advisory group, and the medical director of The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute (BSI) at LifeBridge Health in Baltimore, have received an approximately $1 million grant from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) and NASA’s Human Research Program to help investigate questions about astronaut health and performance on future deep-space exploration missions.
The three-year project will be led by Dr. Williams and will assess the accuracy of two noninvasive methods of measuring spinal fluid pressure, also known as intracranial pressure (ICP), as compared to measuring ICP via spinal tap. Vision problems (papilledema) experienced by astronauts in long-term spaceflight have been linked to elevated ICP caused by extended exposure to microgravity.
The project will play an important role in the validation of two noninvasive devices for measuring ICP in a microgravity environment. This is particularly important because invasive procedures such as a spinal tap are not possible in space. Currently, noninvasive measurement methods are not accurate enough to make crucial diagnostic and therapeutic decisions for astronauts in spaceflight.
“The validation of the accuracy of noninvasive ICP methods is of utmost importance for the health and safety of astronauts in long-duration spaceflight,” said Dr. Williams. “We hope that our research will lead to the development of spaceflight-worthy, noninvasive ICP measurement devices. In addition, the validation of reliable, portable, noninvasive methods of ICP measurement would dramatically improve the care for thousands of children, adults, and elderly who have chronic disorders of ICP (including hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension), who currently require a spinal tap or other invasive techniques to assess ICP, or who have to have CT scans when abnormal ICP is suspected.”
The research group, which includes U.S. and international collaborators, will gauge the accuracy of two noninvasive methods that estimate ICP through the auditory system: tympanic membrane displacement (TMD) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). Human patients aged 18 to 65 years who require continuous ICP monitoring will participate in the study.
To see an interview with Dr. Williams:
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/08/08/md-doctor-helps-nasa-overcome-big-obstacle/
For more information about NSBRI, NASA’s Human Research Program and the complete list of selected projects go to http://www.nsbri.org/newsflash/indivArticle.asp?id=454&articleID=162.