Monash University > News and Events > Monash Memo > Notices

Participants aged 18-65 years needed for blood vessel study

Published: 29 April 2009

A novel ionic current contributing to spasm of small blood vessels.

This study looks at the behaviour of small blood vessels in people who suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon, a condition in which the small blood vessels of the hands and feet are exquisitely sensitive to cold.

Monash researches have discovered a new membrane current that mediates prolonged contraction in the muscle cells of blood vessels and are now examining whether this is responsible for Raynaud's phenomenon.

We are seeking volunteers who suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon and normal subjects as controls. The participation involves a brief physical examination and a small biopsy from the buttock region taken under local anaesthetic in order to remove a small “thumbnail size” of subcutaneous fat containing the blood vessels to be studied.

For further information contact:
Name: Dr Suzi Chen
Telephone: +61 3 9554 8022
Email: suzi.chen@med.monash.edu.au