A $2.3 million grant for continued support of the study of natural and experimental atherosclerosis—hardening of the arteries in heart disease—has been awarded to Louisiana State University School of Medicine. Notice of the seven-year grant by the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. was received here late Monday. Principal researchers in the study will be Dr. Jack P. Strong, professor of pathology and Dr. Henry C. McGill, professor and Head of the department of pathology at LSU. The two have been studying atherosclerosis for the past decade through support of NIH. Their work followed research efforts initiated at LSU by the late Dr. Russell L. Holman, professor and head of the department of pathology at LSU when he died in 1960. Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in American adult males, said Dr. Strong. Previous NIH support for the study of atherosclerosis by LSU scientists has totaled more than $1.5 million. "This NIH grant provides long-term support, for the next seven years at least, for a team of investigators that has been developed at LSU over the past several years," said Dr. Strong. Senior LSU faculty scientists who will direct the program, in addition to Dr. Strong and Dr McGill, include: Dr. Jack C. Geer, associate professor of pathology; Dr. Marion A. Guidrv assistant professor in pathology (biochemistry); Dr. Douglas A. Eggen, assistant professor in pathology (biostatistics), and Dr. C. A. McMahan, professor and head of the department of biostatistics. Dr. Strong said the program involves not only work in atherosclerosis in humans and experimental animals at LSU facilities in New Orleans but also collaborative efforts with other Universities throughout the world through "The International Antherosclerosis Project," directed by Dr. McGill. OTHER STUDIES Contributing to the significance of this continued research effort, he said, are other separately supported studies by Dr. Geer, Dr. Gerald Berenson, professor of medicine, and Dr. John Moossy, professor of pathology. Overall aim of the program is to learn more about the causes and effects of athersosclerosis by combining methods which investigate the environmental background of persons with the disease. Other key personnel in the study will include Mrs. Myra Richards, research associate in pathology, and Dr. Margaret, C. Oalmann, instructor in pathology (epidemiology). Principal research animal used to date in studies at LSU of atherosclerosis in the baboon. In 1958, 163 baboons were autopsied in their natural habitat in Kenya by university researchers. Forty baboons have been brought to New; Orleans and are now on experimental diets in LSU animal facilities here. PHOTO: Dr. Jack P. Strong One of project leaders PHOTO: Dr. Henry C. McGill Project co-leader
