Category Archives: Borgess Research Institute

A new device for sleep apnea treatment: Borgess Research Institute begins patient enrollment for obstructive sleep apnea clinical trial.

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Posted by Lew Tysman on July 29, 2011 – 11:44 am
Filed under Borgess Research Institute

Borgess Research Institute, in collaboration with Health Care Midwest ENT and Sleep Health is participating in a pivotal clinical study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a new investigational therapy for patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The STAR trial (Stimulation Therapy for Apnea Reduction) is being conducted at leading medical centers across the United States and Europe, and will evaluate the efficacy of Inspire™ Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy, an implantable therapy that works with the body’s natural physiology to prevent airway obstruction during sleep.  Borgess Research Institute is one of the first sites in the United States to start the study.

Only a clinical research study staff member can determine if you are eligible for this research study. For more information on this topic, including a free community health talk to be held in August, call 1.888.847.8753 or go to www.TheStarTrial.com.

“More than 18 million Americans suffer from OSA, which is characterized by repeated episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep,” said Mark Goetting, Medical Director, Borgess Sleep Disorders Center. “Patients with OSA stop breathing frequently during sleep, often for half a minute or longer. Daytime sleepiness, depression, weight gain, increase in industrial accidents and diminished quality of life are all commonly observed in people who suffer from OSA as a result of fragmented sleep patterns. Furthermore, OSA is associated with the development of systemic hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks, heart failure, heart rhythm disorders), stroke, and diabetes.”

Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) applied through a nasal mask is the current standard treatment.

“Current treatment options for OSA include weight loss, CPAP, oral appliances, and surgeries. CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) applied through a nasal mask is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea,” Dr. Goetting said.  “However several recent studies show that CPAP compliance can be as low as 50 percent because of the nasal mask restrictions, discomfort and inconvenience.”

The STAR trial will enroll CPAP intolerant patients (patients unable or unwilling to make CPAP therapy work).  To be eligible for screening and inclusion in the STAR trial, patients must:

  • Have failed or not tolerated CPAP.
  • Have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Have a body mass index of less than 32.

Those who suffer from OSA who would like to receive more information about enrolling in the STAR trial should visit research.borgess.com, call 1-888-844-4811, or visit www.theSTARtrial.com.

“Studies have shown that sleep apnea is as prevalent as adult diabetes and asthma, and the consequences of Obstructive Sleep Apnea range from disruptive to life-threatening. While CPAP can be very effective to treat OSA, for many patients it is simply too difficult to comply with, and thus ineffective,” said Dr. Goetting. “ Dr. Goetting and Borgess Research Institute were selected to participate in this study because of our extensive experience in treating patients who suffer from sleep apnea. We look forward to contributing to this important research to determine whether Inspire therapy can help the many people suffering from OSA with limited treatment options.”

About Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

OSA is a common sleep disorder that occurs when the tongue and other soft tissues of the throat relax and obstruct the airway during sleep. Apnea events can occur multiple times per hour throughout the night, disrupting normal sleep. People suffering from OSA report significant daytime sleepiness and impaired quality of life. Depending on the degree of severity, OSA can be a potentially dangerous condition. OSA has been linked with increased risks for cardiovascular disease, weight gain and accidents resulting from daytime drowsiness. It is estimated that one in fifteen U.S. adults has moderate to severe OSA.

Borgess Research Institute seeks volunteers with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease

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Posted by Lew Tysman on July 21, 2011 – 4:32 pm
Filed under Borgess Research Institute

About 18 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. At present, doctors and researchers do not fully understand the cause of this degenerative disease.

Symptoms often include the progressive loss of memory and judgment, changes in personality, anxiety, or even suspiciousness and delusion. Over time, patients may lose their ability to swallow and eat solid foods, or they may become incontinent.

Researchers, therefore, continue to conduct studies in Alzheimer’s disease at its earliest possible stages. Researchers at Borgess Research Institute, headed by Dr. Phillip Green, are conducting a clinical research study to test the safety and tolerability of an investigational medication for Alzheimer’s disease. They will test different doses of the investigational medication compared to an inactive substance (placebo).

“If the person you care for is suffering from symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, we encourage you to talk to his or her doctor about clinical studies or to contact us for more information on this particular study to see if the person is eligible,” said Dr. Phillip Green.

Eligible participants must be 50 to 89 years old with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease. Participants must live at home or in a community dwelling with an appropriate caregiver who can accompany him or her on all study clinic visits and visit them at least 5 times a week. Other medical criteria will be evaluated by the study staff at the clinic to determine eligibility.

The study is being conducted at approximately 12 clinics across the U.S. and the study seeks to enroll about 80 subjects.

Study participation lasts about 47 weeks and includes approximately 15 visits to the study doctor and 6 telephone contacts. The investigational medication is given via a 1-hour IV infusion once every 13 weeks up to 3 times during the study. Qualified study participants will not be charged for study-related office visits, medical evaluations, or study medication. Qualified participants may also receive payment.

For more information about this Alzheimer’s study, please call the Borgess Research Institute at 269-226-4803 or visit research.borgess.com or visit www.ALZresearch.com.

Participants sought for medical research studies

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Posted by Lew Tysman on October 24, 2010 – 5:59 pm
Filed under Borgess Health, Borgess Research Institute

Borgess Research Institute is seeking participants to enroll in medical studies on diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, degenerative disc disease, restless leg syndrome, uterine fibroids and more. Qualified participants will receive all study-related exams and medications at no charge. Compensation for time and travel may also be provided. Visitwww.research.borgess.com or call 269-226-5407 for more information.

Link between Aspirin and Ulcer under study at Borgess Research Institute

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Posted by Lew Tysman on November 25, 2009 – 8:55 am
Filed under Borgess Health, Borgess Research Institute

Your doctor said aspirin can lower your risk for another heart attack or stroke. But aspirin may raise your risk of stomach ulcers.  Doctors commonly prescribe 325 milligrams of aspirin daily for their patients to reduce the risk of suffering another heart attack or stroke.  However, daily aspirin therapy may increase a person’s risk for stomach ulcers.  Local researchers are studying an investigational drug that combines aspirin with a second medication to see if it can help prevent stomach ulcers.  The second medication is already approved for use alone to prevent ulcers. These research studies may help determine whether the investigational combination of these two approved medications may provide long-term effective use of aspirin with a reduced risk of stomach ulcers for those in the future.

You may qualify to participate if you:

  • Have taken 325 mg of aspirin daily to prevent another heart attack or stroke for the past three months or more and you are either:
  • Age 18-60 with a documented history of ulcers within the past five years

or

  • Over age 60, with or without a history of ulcers

Qualified participants will receive study-related medications, exams, lab services and testing at no charge. Reimbursement for time and travel may also be provided. To sign up or learn more, go to research.borgess.com, or call 269.226.5407.

New Diabetes Study offered at Borgess Research Institute

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Posted by Lew Tysman on November 25, 2009 – 8:54 am
Filed under Borgess Health, Borgess Research Institute

Have you recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes? If so, you may qualify to participate in a clinical research study for Early- or New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes.  A nationwide clinical research study is now seeking volunteers with Type 1 Diabetes.  The purpose of this study is to test whether an investigational product reduces beta cell destruction in people with Type 1 Diabetes.

Potential clinical research study volunteers should:

  • Be between the ages of 18 and 35.
  • Be newly (within the past 10 weeks) diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. 

Voluntarily participation involves:

  • Visits to a local physician’s office to receive study related examinations and health assessments.
  • Receive investigational product over an 8-day period.
  • Receive compensation for time and travel. 

Qualified participants will receive study-related medications, exams, lab services and testing at no charge. Reimbursement for time and travel may also be provided. To sign up or learn more, go to research.borgess.com, or call 269.226.5407.

Want to Shape the Future of Medicine?

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Posted by Lew Tysman on September 23, 2009 – 11:07 am
Filed under Borgess Health, Borgess Research Institute, Innovation

Currently, the Borgess Research Institute seeks patients for enrollment in a variety of medical studies, including type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), cervical degenerative disc disease, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Participating in one of our studies could not only help improve your condition, but also shape the future of medicine. Best of all, those who qualify will receive study-related exams and medications at no charge.  For study details, or to enroll today, visit the Borgess Research Institute web site.