Newswise — The AANEM Foundation for Research and Education has strengthened and expanded its research initiatives It now will fund one $500,000 grant (up to $100,000 per year for 5 years).

"The goal of this award is to fund research with high potential to impact patient care. The funded project will identify important relationships between EDX measures or imaging modalities with respect to the clinical or functional outcomes of people with neuromuscular disorders," AANEM Research Committee Chair, Eric J. Sorenson, MD, said.

AANEM seeks high quality, evidence-based studies that will provide important information that delineate the role of EDX studies in patient management. Studies that assess electrodiagnosis and its relation to outcomes, its ability to promote efficient care and optimize the use of healthcare resources, how it complements other diagnostic tests are being solicited.

Disorders include, but are not limited to, common mononeuropathies, cervical and lumbar radiculopathies, peripheral neuropathy, myopathy, neuromuscular junction disorders, and motor neuron disorders.

Any physician with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Principal Investigator is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply for AANEM Foundation support. It is required that either the PI or at least one co-investigator be an AANEM member.

A letter of intent is due December 1, 2011. To learn more, visit www.aanemfoundation.org.