Regenstrief researcher awarded $4.7M to study early detection of Sjögren’s disease
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A researcher with Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis has been awarded $4.7 million to train students and clinicians on detecting early signs of the autoimmune disorder, Sjögren’s disease.
The National Institute of Health awarded Research Scientist Thankam Thyvalikakath the grant to train dental students and faculty on using a salivary test to detect a biomarker that identifies the presence of Sjögren’s in patients.
Sjögren’s is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting connective tissues. It has been diagnosed in 4 million Americans, according to a Regenstrief news release, and is more prevalent in women who make up nine of every 10 individuals diagnosed with the disease.
Early detection of the disease is key as the average time of diagnosis after symptoms first begin is three years.
Thyvalikakath is an associate dean and professor in the IU School of Dentistry and directs a partnership between the dentistry school and Regenstrief. Two additional School of Dentistry faculty, Angela Bruzzaniti and Mythily Srinivasan, will join Thyvalikakath in her research.