MUSC taps into national funding for spinal cord injury research

Almost $4 million is awarded to reduce complications and increase life expectancy

CHARLESTON -- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Researcher, James Krause, Ph.D., has recently been named the recipient of a multi-year Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) grant totaling more than $3.9 million that places the university’s College of Health Professions in a national leadership role in the prediction and prevention of life-threatening secondary health conditions after spinal cord injury (SCI).

The five-year project is being funded by the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services of the United States Department of Education. Both the Shepherd Center in Atlanta and the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California are collaborating on this project.

"The ultimate goal of the center is to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions and to enhance longevity after SCI through a combination of research that identifies prominent risk factors for diminished health and by educating health professionals, service providers and individuals with SCI on how to implement appropriate prevention strategies," said Krause.

Secondary conditions, such as pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, amputations, fractures and depressive symptoms often increase mortality rates of the SCI population.

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 11,000 employees, including 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $1.6 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital and a leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit www.musc.edu or www.muschealth.com.

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