Mahowald, Maren L., M.D.

RHEUMATOLOGY/INTERNAL MEDICINE

• Laboratory investigation of microvascular changes in rabbit joints with immune mediated arthritis and the effects of nitric oxide (studies in tissue examinations and data analysis phase) will soon be expanded to test the effects of neurotoxins on neurogenic inflammation in arthritis. Investigator initiated protocols. Funded by Arthritis Research and Education fund of Minnesota Medical Foundation • Sleep physiology and pharmacologic manipulation in patitents with rheumatoid arthritis. The study of sleep discrepancy in patient perception and report of sleep parameters compared to actual measures by polysomnography and how sleep discrepancy is modified by various medications taken at bedtime. Investigator initiated protocol. In data analysis phase and manuscript preparations. Funded by Arthritis Research and Education fund of Minnesota Medical Foundation. • Opioid use and dependence in patients with musculoskeletal pain. Investigator initiated protocols. In data analysis phase and manuscript preparation. Funded by Arthritis Research and Education fund of Minnesota Medical Foundation • Genetic studies in familial ankylosing spondylitis are being carried out with a cooperative, multisite group funded through Investigator initiated protocols.(John Reveille PI). Funded by the NIH and American Spondylitis Association. Patient recruitment is completed, we are now in data analysis and manuscript preparation phase. • Outcomes study of High Impact Rheumatology education program for primary care physicians Funded by the American College of Rheumatology. Investigator initiated protocols. In data analysis phase and manuscript preparation. • Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis with etanercept: RCT and open label extension study. Drug company initiated protocol. Funded by Immunex. Study is now completed • Intra-articular Botulinum Toxin A for refractory joint pain. Investigator initiated protocols. • Review of preliminary experience with IA botulinum toxin A for refractory joint pain. Data analysis completed and manuscript submitted. • Protocol for randomized controlled trial of IA-botulinum toxin for chronic knee pain. P-IND from the FDA has been obtained, Protocol is approved by the IRB and Allergan has agreed to fund the study. • Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of IA-botulinum toxin for chronic shoulder pain in the frail elderly, has been approved for funding by the MN Arthritis Foundation (J.Singh as PI). And supplemental funding request is under review by Allergan. • In collaboration with the Center for Human Simulation at the University of Colorado Health Sciences we have obtained NIH-SBIR funding to develop an arthrocentesis simulator for the knee and shoulder. We have submitted a grant to the Stemmler Foundation of the NBME to study ‘Rubric Scoring of Arthrocentesis Competency using a Virtual Reality Arthrocentesis simulator’ to develop a system for measuring arthrocentesis procedure competency levels and a computer program to incorporate these measures into the simulator for testing.