Announcements: March 14, 2008

Posted 03:52 PM, March 14, 2008, by jaruiz

Robert J. Gropler, MD, to Speak on "Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: Use of Imaging to Cross the Translational Divide": Monday, March 17th, seminar from 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM; discussion from 5:15 PM to 5:30 PM; and reception from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM in the Clark Center Auditorium. As part of the Molecular Imaging Seminar Series, the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS) and Philips present Robert J. Gropler, MD, professor of radiology, medicine, and biomedical engineering from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Gropler will be speaking on "Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: Use of Imaging to Cross the Translational Divide." Please find his abstract as well as directions to his talk below. This seminar is hosted by Drs. Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, MD, PhD, and Edward Graves, PhD.

Abstract:
There is a growing epidemic of diabetes mellitus in the United States with a projected increase of 30% in the prevalence of this disease over the next 10 years. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. The myocardial metabolic phenotype of the diabetic heart (an over-dependence on fatty acid metabolism) appears to be an important contributor to the left ventricular dysfunction observed in these patients. Our work has focused on optimizing PET techniques to provide quantitative measurements of myocardial substrate metabolism in rodents that are applicable to the human heart. We are then applying these methods to better characterize the metabolic perturbations of the diabetic heart, including their contribution to left ventricular dysfunction, and the potential role of novel therapeutic approaches to reduce the cardiovascular manifestations of this disease.

Directions:
From the 101 Freeway exit on University Ave South/West: Proceed for several miles on University Ave., which becomes Palm Dr. after you pass El Camino Real. Take Palm Dr. past Arboretum Rd. Then, turn right on Campus Drive, and follow this road directly to the Clark Building.

From the 280 Freeway exit Sand Hill Rd. East: Follow this road for several miles. Take a right on Arboretum Rd. Then, take a left on Quarry Rd. Then, turn right on Campus Drive, and follow this road directly to the Clark Building. Turn right into the parking lot before the stop sign at Welch Road and Campus Drive. Parking is free after 4:00 PM right next to the Clark Building. If you have questions, please contact Susan Singh at 650-736-9781.