Annual Report - Winthrop University Hospital

Winthrop-University Hospital 2011 Annual ReportAlan M. Jacobson, MD, Chief Research OfficerUnder a March of Dimes grant, Winthrop researchers currentlyare studying the potential for using low levels of carbon monoxideas a preventive treatment for pregnant women at risk ofdelivering pre-term babies.The aging processWhether or not you believe that 60 is the new 40, the truth isthat life expectancy in the United States is getting longer. And,on Long Island in particular, the percentage of older residentsis increasing.Among the Winthrop research initiatives aimed at improvingthe health of older adults is an investigation of the link betweenCOX-2 inhibitors, popular drugs used to treat pain and inflammationin conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, and increasedrisk for stroke and heart attack. Our team is developing waysin which to make these drugs less toxic to the cardiovascularsystem, which would benefit patients in need of pain reliefbut who are currently avoiding these drugs because of safetyconcerns.Osteoporosis is a major concern for the elderly, particularlywomen. A current study at Winthrop is looking at the effectivenessof vitamin D and calcium in preventing osteoporosis inAfrican-American women.Neuroscience research related to the elderly also is a focus.Among the work under way is a study of neurodegeneration,the cause of diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) and Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s affects approximately1 million U.S. citizens, and ALS has no current availabletreatment.CancerAs an academic institution, Winthrop is the site of some of themost current clinical trials and research into cancer, ensuringthat patients have access to the latest therapies.The Hospital’s cancer specialists and researchers are involvedin rigorous basic and clinical studies of a wide variety of cancers,including lung cancer, childhood cancers, blood cancers,27