New research grants awarded to support local studies on depression, adolescent health and heart failure

Three teams of local researchers recently received grant funding to investigate treatments for common health conditions such as depression, adolescent health changes and the link between heart failure and sleep health.

"The Auburn-Opelika area is home to leading researchers, educators and health care professionals who all share a commitment to improving patient care," Sarah Nunnelly, chief strategy and business development officer at East Alabama Health, said. "These grants offer the opportunity to explore and identify solutions for health challenges affecting patients here at home and across the country."

The grants were awarded through the Research and Education Advancing Community Healthcare (REACH) Grant Program.

The REACH Grant Program is sponsored by East Alabama Health and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) to assist researchers in advancing the boundaries of medicine through locally driven research.

Each research team was awarded $40,000 in funding for studies to better understand what causes health problems and turn those findings into treatments that can help patients.

"By pairing academic insight with clinical expertise, we hope to move promising ideas from the research setting into everyday patient care," Nunnelly said. "The goal is to produce findings that help clinicians make better-informed decisions and improve outcomes for the patients and families they serve."

Local patients who fit the study criteria and may be interested in participating may click here to explore open study opportunities.

Study One: Iron levels, SSRIs and treating depression

Depression is the most common mental health challenge experienced by Americans, and serotonin-enhancing drugs-called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs-are typically the first treatment option used.

However, these medications may only work for a portion of patients with depression.

Researchers from Auburn University, VCOM-Auburn and East Alabama Health are collaborating to investigate if patients' iron levels could be related to treatment success.

Their 12-week study will compare the iron levels among three types of patients: ones prescribed SSRI medication for depression, ones diagnosed who choose not to use a prescription medicine, and ones who do not have depression.

If iron levels are found to relate to symptom improvement for patients with depression, options tied to nutrition changes could be recommended as part of their treatment plan.

Leading this study are Dr. Sara Keelan Blaine (Auburn University), Drs. Akram Haggag and Nathan Douthit (East Alabama Health) and Dr. Darren Beck (VCOM-Auburn).

Study Two: Improving tests for a disorder affecting 8 percent of adolescent females

Polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome, or PMOS, is the most common hormone disorder among adolescent females, affecting at least eight percent.

For adolescents with PMOS, increased hormone levels can cause acne, excess hair growth, irregular periods and weight gain related to insulin resistance. The condition can also increase their risk for heart disease, anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

Despite its prevalence and impact, PMOS can be difficult to diagnose in adolescents. Many patients are not diagnosed until adulthood, allowing related health problems to worsen over time.

Researchers from East Alabama Health and Auburn University will evaluate a standardized set of laboratory tests in adolescents over one year to identify which tests may help clinicians recognize PMOS sooner and make more informed decisions about care.

By identifying which tests give doctors the clearest answers, the study could help adolescents receive a diagnosis and begin the right care sooner.

Leading this study are Dr. Chelsea Zimmerman (East Alabama Health), Drs. Arthur Zimmerman and Douglas Martin (Auburn University) and Dr. Katie Wolter (VCOM-Auburn).

Study Three: Link between heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea

Heart failure and obstructive sleep apnea often occur together, but many patients hospitalized with heart failure are never evaluated for the common sleep disorder.

When sleep apnea goes untreated, it can place additional strain on the heart and increase a patient's risk of returning to the hospital.

Researchers from East Alabama Health and VCOM-Auburn will study whether a more consistent screening process can help identify hospitalized heart failure patients who may also have sleep apnea.

Participants will be screened for sleep apnea and, when appropriate, will undergo a sleep test while in an inpatient setting rather than at home to streamline treatment.

By comparing hospital readmissions and treatment use, the study could help establish a standard approach to identifying sleep apnea sooner and reducing future hospital stays for patients with heart failure.

Leading the study are Drs. Nathan Douthit, Christopher Hope, Rekha Lall, Olawale Akinola and Tejashwini Gattu Luevano (East Alabama Health), and medical students William Windham and Joseph Moore (VCOM-Auburn).

About East Alabama Health

East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital in Valley, East Alabama Medical Center North in Opelika, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinics and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 336-bed regional referral hospital. EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital provides emergency care, outpatient services and surgery, while its campus also features a nursing home. East Alabama Health employs about 4,200 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University.