Research

Office: 913-588-1800 or email sbarnett@kumc.edu
Sharon Barnett, Program Assistant

Staff:

Jan Campbell, MD: Associate Professor
William Gabrielli, MD PhD: Professor
Jessica Hellings, MD: Associate Professor
Edward Hunter, PhD, ABPP: Associate Professor
Raymond Lake, MD: Professor
Barry Liskow, MD: Professor
Teresa D. Long, MD: Associate Professor
Ann Manzardo, PhD: Assistant Professor
Elizabeth (Jeannie) Nickel, MA: Coordinator/Data Manager
Elizabeth Penick, PhD: Professor
Barbara Powell, PhD: Research Professor
Cary Savage, PhD: Associate Professor
Robert Twillman, PhD: Associate Professor
Marilyn Logan, RN: Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator

Affiliated Research Staff:

Rachel Freeman PhD: Assistant Professor, Scheifelbusch Life Span Institute, KU
Jeff Lewine, Department of Neurology, KUMC
Ekkehard Othmer, MD, PhD: Professor
Jamie Young, OTD: Assistant Professor, Hoglund Brain Imaging Center and Langdon Center, KUMC

Research Topics

Pain Research: Cutting edge research on pain analgesia is being conducted under the direction of Teresa D. Long, MD. Dr. Long has been funded by the National Institutes of Health to study the effects of Morphine Infused IntraSite Gel for Pressure Ulcer Analgesia. Dr Long’s current research interests include alternative analgesic delivery systems with individual with osteoarthritis and elucidating differences in brain imaging between patients with chronic pain requiring analgesics and those with substance abuse diagnoses

Interactive Media for Remote Psychiatric Care: We have pioneered the use of new PC-based technology for rural psychiatric management and are assessing the efficacy and other features of this intervention. Drs. Liskow and Cain are currently conducting this research.

Alcoholism and Related Psychiatric Disorders: This research has involved several large international studies, including an ongoing longitudinal study of a cohort of individuals, some of whom are at high risk for the development of alcoholism, the course of their illnesses and the factors related to treatment success. Research on these projects is under the direction of William Gabrielli, Elizabeth Penick, and Jeannie Nickel.

Cocaine abuse and treatments: This research related investigations focusing upon the characteristics of cocaine abuse and treatment efforts. The program is starting to generate research under the direction of Jan Campbell, which will have impact on treatment efforts for the addiction.

Mental Retardation and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Under the direction of Jessica Hellings, Jennifer Zarcone, and Stacey Ward, several studies in management of behavioral disturbances associated with developmental disability and comorbid psychiatric illness are currently underway. Specifically, the evaluating of risperidone (Risperdal®) in the treatment of aggression and self-injury in children and adults with developmental disabilities as recently been completed. In addition, we are currently evaluating the effects of valproate (Depakote®) in the treatment of aggression in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS): Under the direction of Jennifer Zarcone, Cary Savage, Jessica Hellings, Jeff Lewine, and Stacey Ward, this project focuses on the evaluation of compulsive behavior in individuals with PWS. This evaluation includes genetic, medical and psychiatric evaluation of compulsive behavior as it affects learning and memory. In addition, several imaging techniques are being used to ascertain those brain mechanisms affected by the disorder, particular as it affects food-related behavior.

Psychiatric Co-Morbidities: Elizabeth Penick and Jeannie Nickel are examining combinations of psychiatric illnesses in individuals and in families.

Diagnosis Specific Therapeutic Modalities: Elizabeth Penick has developed and is testing a protocol for assigning a therapeutic procedure for specific scientific diagnoses. The idea is maximizing therapeutic intervention by targeting the treatment strategy that empirically shows to be the best intervention.

Methamphetamine Dependence: Dr. Jan Campbell’s research focus is on psychopharmacologic treatments for methamphetamine dependence. The current studies are part of the Methamphetamine Clinical Trials Group, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and coordinated through the Institute for Substance Abuse Treatment at UCLA. Medication studies are randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluations of medications to reduce craving; conducted in the setting of manualized psychosocial treatment modeled on the MATRIX program. The treatment program is provided at no charge to subjects enrolled in the studies that take place at the START program. Those interested in the research may contact START at 816-668-9504.

Current Study Information - For Doctors and Patients

Prader-Willi Syndrome Study
Individuals between the age of 10- 50 with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are being invited to participate in this two-day assessment. Participants and their caregivers will be asked to complete questionnaires, participate in two imaging studies - functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoenchephalagraphy (MEG) during their visit. Tests of intelligence and academic achievement will also be conducted. In addition, we are looking for individuals who have mild and borderline mental retardation with compulsive-types of behavior (for example, hoarding, ritualistic behavior, constant worrying) who can serve as controls. Finally, we are looking for typically-developing control participants. Meals and a $50 honorarium will be provided to all participants. For more information please contact:
Ms. Stacey Ward, Project Coordinator, 913-588-6499 or email sward@kumc.edu.

Osteoarthritis Study
We are currently conducting a clinical research study of a skin patch as an alternative to oral medication to relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. We are recruiting individuals between the ages of 40-85 currently taking prescription pain medication. Qualified participants will receive study-related physical exams, study-related lab tests and medication. For more information please contact:
Marilyn Weckbaugh, RN, Study Nurse Coordinator, 913-588-1315.

Methamphetamine Dependence
Participants with methamphetamine dependence are being sought for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluations of medications to reduce craving. This study is being conducted using manualized psychosocial treatment modeled on the MATRIX program. The treatment program is provided at no charge to subjects participating in the START program. Those interested in the research may contact START at 816-668-9504.

For more information regarding any of the these studies, please contact Ms. Sharon Barnett at 913-588-1800 or email sbarnett@kumc.edu.

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