NYU Langone’s Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine is dedicated to scientific investigation that advances the care of our patients in the operating room, as well as in the perioperative and critical care settings.

Our researchers collaborate with scientists from NYU Langone’s Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, Neuroscience Institute, and Department of Neuroscience and Physiology to bring research findings from bench to bedside.

Basic Research

Our department’s basic science researchers, including Bernardo Rudy, MD, PhD, and Jing Wang, MD, PhD, conduct research that enables anesthesiologists to have a better understanding of the mechanisms of the brain, including regulation of acute and chronic pain. This knowledge ultimately improves the safety and efficacy of anesthesia.

Barth Syndrome

Michael Schlame, MD, is conducting research on the role of mitochondria in the rare genetic condition Barth syndrome, which can lead to heart failure and severe infections requiring critical care anesthesiology.

Mitochondria are membrane-rich organelles that are essential to eukaryotic life. Detailed insight has emerged into the assembly and dynamics of mitochondrial membrane proteins, but a fundamental gap remains in understanding mitochondrial lipids.

Barth syndrome is a disorder of the mitochondrial lipid metabolism, in particular the metabolism of the mitochondria-specific phospholipid cardiolipin. The syndrome is caused by mutations in tafazzin, an enzyme that catalyzes the fatty acid exchange reaction by which the characteristic molecular composition of cardiolipin is created. This reaction is also referred to as cardiolipin remodeling.

The objective of Dr. Schlame’s current research is to identify the mechanism and function of cardiolipin remodeling to better understand the function of cardiolipin in mitochondria and to unravel the molecular pathophysiology of Barth syndrome.

Clinical Studies

Our researchers are also conducting the following clinical studies to better understand pain management in patients and to improve quality of life and monitor outcomes throughout their perioperative care.

Critical Care Anesthesiology

Sepsis Pre-Alert Monitoring Intervention: Study to Investigate Targeted Enhanced Monitoring for Sepsis
Investigators: Mark E. Nunnally, MD, and Germaine Cuff, PhD

General Anesthesiology

Does the Presence of Preoperative Proteinuria Predict Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Obese Patients Undergoing Elective Laparoscopic Surgery?
Investigator: Liliya Pospiphil, MD

Obstetric Anesthesiology

Gravity Flow Technique to Validate Proper Location of Epidural Needle Tip on Obese Parturients
Investigator: Gilbert J. Grant, MD

Orthopedic Anesthesiology

Regional Versus General Anesthesia for Promoting Independence After Hip Fracture (REGAIN)
Investigators: Mitchell H. Marshall, MD; David L. Furgiuele, MD; and Sudheer K. Jain, MD

Liposomal Bupivacaine Plus Bupivacaine Versus Bupivacaine HCL for Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block in Patients Undergoing Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Investigator: Uchenna O. Umeh, MD

Pain Medicine

A Single-Center Observational Study to Develop EEG Biomarkers of Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain
Investigators: Lisa V. Doan, MD, and Jing Wang, MD, PhD

Use of EEG to Identify Sleep Deficits Associated with Postoperative Pain: Retrospective Study
Investigator: Jing Wang, MD, PhD

PET/MR Brain Imaging Study of Chronic Low Back Pain Before and After Treatment
Investigators: Lisa V. Doan, MD; Jing Wang, MD, PhD; and Yu-Shin Ding, PhD

Interlaminar Particulate Steroid Versus Transforaminal Steroid Injection in Low Back Pain Patients
Investigator: Kristoffer Padjen, MD, PhD

A Pilot Proof of Concept, Single-Center Study of the Effects of Telephone-Delivered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT-T) on Preoperative Pain Catastrophizing and Pain Outcomes After Spine Surgery
Investigator: Lisa V. Doan, MD

Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study: Effects of Lavender Aromatherapy on Preoperative Anxiety in Breast Patients
Investigator: Michael C. Wajda, MD

Study on the Effects of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine on Pain in Patients Undergoing Elective Spinal Surgery
Investigator: Lisa V. Doan, MD

Retrospective Study Examining Perioperative Opioid and Other Analgesic Use and Outcomes
Investigator: Lisa V. Doan, MD

Use of CBD to Decrease Opioid Use in Chronic Pain Patients
Investigators: Steven Ross, MD; Lisa V. Doan, MD; and Jing Wang, MD, PhD

Contact Us

For more information about our basic and clinical research programs, please contact Germaine Cuff, PhD, director of quality assurance and outcomes, at germaine.cuff@nyulangone.org.