Currently funded Research Projects

Exercise-Induced Rise in the Severity of Altitude Illness
NIH-RO1 - 2003-2008
PI: Robert Roach, Ph.D.

Goal of the study is to determine the role of the brain in the pathophysiology of acute mountain sickness (AMS). This is done by using several new and innovative technologies to dissect the role of cellular, molecular, genetic and physiological responses in the pathophysiology of AMS.

Genetic Regulation of Hypoxia-Induced IUGR
NIH-RO1 - 2005-2009
PI: Lorna Moore, Ph.D.

The major goal of this project is to test the overall hypothesis that genetic variants in HIF-targeted or regulatory pathways protect multigenerational high-altitude residents from hypoxia associated IUGR.

Differential Gene Expression in Altitude-Associated IUGR
NIH-MIRS 2005-2008
PI: Vaughn Browne, M.D., Ph.D.

The major goals of this project are to 1) Identify the genes that are differentially expressed in pregnant Andean and European women with and without intrauterine growth- restricted newborns and to 2) delineate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in each of the differentially expressed genes, including the 5 KB upstream of gene promoter regions.

Genetic of Human Athletic Performance
Butcher Foundation 2006-2008
PI: Robert Roach PhD and Jeffrey Mitton PhD

This study tries to determine whether there are genetic differences between high performing endurance athletes and average amateur athletes.

Does Acetazolamide prevent brain swelling in acute hypoxia
Maren Foundation 2007-2008
PI: Robert Roach PhD

The hypothesis underlying this study is that Acetazolamide will reduce the prevalence and severity of high altitude headache. In volunteers taking acetazolamide for AMS prophylaxis, brain volume and CSF flow will be significantly lower than in controls.

Pending research proposals