Research
CHAM’S Sleep Disorders Center and Division of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine offer the only full-service sleep laboratory and evaluation center dedicated exclusively to children in the New York metropolitan area. Our team is actively involved in clinical, translational and basic science research investigations (with grants from the NIH, private foundations and others) that, among other things, examine the relationship between obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and how certain biomarkers relate to asthma in children?
We are currently conducting research to:
Employ Novel MRI Methodology to Identify And Evaluate The Risk Factors For Sleep Apnea In Children
Sleep apnea is associated with neurocognitive deficits, behavioral problems, poor school performance, cardiovascular risk, metabolic risk, hypertension and diabetes. For some time now, we have been using innovative MRI methodology to study the anatomical and functional mechanisms contributing to sleep apnea in children. This approach helps us to determine upper airway dynamics and gain insight into the anatomical contribution to the pathophysiology of sleep apnea. Our goal is to analyze the morphology and architecture of the upper airway and its surrounding tissues to ascertain why certain children develop sleep apnea.
Determine The Relationship Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of premenopausal women, characterized by chronic hyperandrogenism, infrequent or irregular ovulation and abnormal menstrual cycles. We conduct structural and functional studies of the upper airway in adolescent girls with PCOS. The goal of our research is to analyze why many, but not all women with PCOS are at risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea.
Evaluate Neurocognitive And Structural Abnormalities In Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
We are in the early stages of a pilot study on neurocognitive and structural abnormalities in children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Our team is conducting MRI imaging of the brain—the structure, metabolic status, white matter composition and perfusion—in children with sleep apnea, as well as in those with snoring, but not OSAS. We will then employ neurocognitive tests to determine whether or not those with OSAS exhibit deficient neurocognitive function.
Investigate Mechanisms Underlying Asthma Among Children
Since obesity is an independent risk factor for asthma, we are elucidating the mechanisms underlying the association of obesity with childhood asthma. Having shown that systemic inflammation associated with obesity-related asthma in children is non-atopic, our lab is investigating the role of epigenetics in establishing non-atopic inflammatory patterns among obese children with asthma. How does the environment influence the genes that are associated with asthma?