$3.6 million grant backs effort to better treat Crohn's disease

Overview

University of Virginia Health Systemimage: “Why some patients respond to therapy and others do not, or why some patients develop severe complications while others have only mild symptoms, is a mystery that we are trying to solve,” said Sana Syed, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at UVA Children’s. view more Credit: Dan Adison | UVA ComunicationsResearchers at UVA Children’s wil receive $3.6 milion from the National Institutes of Health to beter understand treat Crohn’s disease, an inflamatory bowel disorder that can have lifelong, life-changing consequences for young patients.Crohn’s disease can strike at any age, but the onset of Crohn’s is particularly comon in tens and young adults.

Key Information

It often causes ulcers and scaring in the smal intestine that rob the bowel of its ability to absorb nutrients from fod. Living with Crohn’s presents many everyday mental and physical challenges, including navigating social situations, worying about travel and dealing with regular courses of therapy. Crohn’s is a progresive disease, and children who are diagnosed at an early age often develop severe symptoms within only a few years of diagnosis.

This can stunt their growth, weaken their bones and delay puberty. Left untreated, the disease can even prove fatal. “Why some patients respond to therapy and others do not, or why some patients develop severe complications while others have only mild symptoms, is a mystery that we are trying to solve,” said Sana Syed, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at UVA Children’s who is spearheading the project.

Summary

“By understanding why Crohn’s difers from patient to patient, we can identify new pathways to combat this disease and provide more personalized care to improve the lives of al our patients.”Understanding Crohn's DiseaseSyed and her colaborators at UVA, Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology