The Charles Hugh Brown Lab researches cognitive dysfunction, with a focus on quality of care and outcomes regarding perioperative management of older patients. Our studies explore post-operative delirium, cognitive changes and transfusion practices. We also have a longstanding interest in cerebral autoregulation and its role in post-surgical outcomes.

The Frederick Sieber Lab studies the impact of sedation on geriatric surgical patients—especially those undergoing orthopaedic or pelvic procedures—with the goal of preventing postoperative delirium. We are using electroencephalography to investigate the effect of sedation depth during spinal anesthesia. We are also working to determine the effects of using propofol for sedation in elderly patients as well as the effects of robotics and surgical positioning on cerebral blood flow.

The Timothy Niessen Lab studies patient outcomes in the ICU. We are particularly interested in the effects of sleep quality, delirium transitions and sedation on the improvement of intensive care patients. Our investigators also focus on the practices of internal medicine interns, studying the variability of hand washing hygiene, etiquette-based communication and time spent in direct and indirect patient care. We have also studied the onset of myelopathy as a result of B12 deficiency from long-term colchicine treatment and recreational nitrous oxide use.

Work in the Sapna Kudchadkar Lab focuses on the impact of sleep disturbances on critically ill children and the impact of sleep promotion, optimizing sedation and preventing delirium in pediatric critical care patients. We're investigating the effects of critical illness on sleep-wake cycles during short- and long-term recovery using actigraphy.

Work in the Pedro Alejandro Mendez-Tellez Lab focuses on critical care medicine and acute lung injury. Recent studies include evaluating demographic and clinical factors associated with self-reported dysphagia after oral endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in patients with acute lung injury. We've also analyzed orticosteroids and their relationship with delirium in critically ill patients.