Anesthesia Research Office (ARO)

Research Areas

Mechanisms of Anesthesia/Pain:
A range of techniques and methods ranging from cell culture studies to whole animal and human physiological and behavioral assessment. Analysis techniques include magnetic resonance and spectroscopy analysis, physiological signal acquisition (16-channel), processing and analysis, particularly EEG (electroencephalograph) and cardio-respiratory parameters, leading to understanding basic physiological mechanisms and drug actions on the neural substrates underlying consciousness and pain perception.

Practice Environment

Our current clinical practice is comprehensive utilizing physician-directed anesthesia and perioperative care teams/groups representing a multidisciplinary approach. The department provides anesthesia services covering perioperative care for inpatient and outpatient surgery, labor and delivery, and intensive care and pain management throughout the metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan, and performs more than 95,000 anesthesia services per annum. The Greater Detroit population base of more than 4,000,000 residents is very diverse and encompasses a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds with many community attributes.

Specific Facilities

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy research utilizing human whole-body systems at 1.5 and 4.0T (Tesla)

• Small Animal System at 4.7T

• Vertical bore 11.7T research magnet

• Diagnostic imaging including CT, x-ray, bone density, ultrasound and diagnostic injection for pain management

• Basic lab services including -70°C freezer, refrigerated centrifuge and fume hoods

• Dedicated investigational pharmacy

• Full-service, in-house core laboratories including rapid-response capabilities and running of PK studies

• Access to various inpatient and outpatient specialized services