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Palmer Center receives $3 million grant

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By Deirdre Cox Baker | Saturday, May 17, 2008 |

The Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research earned this week a multi-million dollar federal grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The nearly $3 million grant will enable the Davenport-based college to establish the Developmental Center for Clinical and Translational Science in Chiropractic.

“Translational research” is important at two levels, according to Christine Goertz Choate, the center’s executive director. It translates basic scientific knowledge into human applications, and translates the findings from clinical research into the doctor’s office.

The first-year grant of $148,435 allows Palmer to set the groundwork for the following three years, Choate said. If it goes as planned, $2.6 million in federal funds will follow for three separate studies.

One study will focus on hypertension — or high blood pressure — and will involve 155 local residents who receive chiropractic care over an eight-week period.

The new center is the fourth one awarded to Palmer in the past 11 years, and is part of the network developed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, an arm of the NIH.

“This award further demonstrates Palmer’s commitment to the chiropractic profession, our alumni, students and patients, said Larry G. Patten, the college’s chancellor.

Choate will oversee the three studies, which involve hypertension, jaw pain from the grinding of teeth, and neck pain.

Palmer will partner with 10 investigators, at the Palmer campus in Davenport, at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, University of Miami in Florida, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, both in Chicago.

The past year has been a good one for Palmer when it comes to grants. Research grants in the past 12 months total $7.6 million.

“Palmer’s just done a great job being at the forefront of research,” Choate said, explaining the groundwork was set 10 years ago before federal funding was even available. “Because of that investment, we are well positioned for these grants.”

Deirdre Cox Baker can be contacted at (563) 383-2492 or dbaker@qctimes.com.