25 Health researchers receive grants from the Independent Research Fund Denmark

Twenty-five selected research projects at Health will contribute new insights across a wide range of care and treatment methods in both local healthcare and the delivery of municipal health services.

Among the topics, the research focuses on women's health, health disparities between men and women, chronic diseases, and illness from a lifelong perspective.

The 25 Health projects are part of a larger pool of 61 research projects, which were selected based on a thorough assessment by the thematic committee, DFF | Thematic Research – Strengthened Clinical and Independent Research.

The grant recipients from Health are:

Clinical Associate Professor Jens Fuglsang from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,167,568 for the project "Life style and Cholestasis in Pregnancy – the impact of BMI, exercise, alimentation, and daily bile acid fluctuations. The ‘LIFE-CHIP’ study."

The researcher investigates whether weight, exercise, and diet can influence bile acids in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) to reduce the risk of fetal death.

Clinical Professor Peter Jepsen from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,147,273 for the project "Introducing surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in the Central Denmark Region."

The researcher examines the effect of liver cancer screening in patients with cirrhosis in the Central Denmark Region to reduce mortality.

Professor Alma Becic Pedersen from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,075,408 for the project "Osteoporotic hip fracture and mental illness: treatment, prognosis, and costs."

The researcher analyzes disparities in treatment and complications among hip fracture patients with mental illness, with a focus on osteoporosis and rehabilitation.

Professor Lars Pedersen from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 1,839,600 for the project "Improving Colorectal Cancer Research Using Target Trial Emulation."

This project aims to develop algorithms to analyze observational health data to improve research and clinical decision-making, especially in colorectal cancer.

Associate Professor Thomas Rasmussen from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,167,289 for the project "Reinvigorating antigen-specific T cells for hepatitis B cure."

This trial investigates whether pomalidomide can strengthen the immune response against hepatitis B and potentially eliminate chronic infection, with hopes of developing a cure for the disease.

Ph.D. Irene Petersen from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 2,995,920 for the project "Association between initiation of statin treatment and diabetes."

This study examines the relationship between statin treatment and diabetes risk by analyzing changes in blood sugar (HbA1c) in Danish patients to weigh the benefits of statins against the risk of diabetes.

Clinical Associate Professor Anders Rosendal Korshøj from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,168,000 for the project "Phase 0/I window-of-opportunity trial of SENIcapoc and PERAmpanel in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (SENIPERA)."

The study tests the safety and efficacy of perampanel and senicapoc as adjuncts to standard treatment to inhibit the growth of glioblastoma cells and improve patient survival.

Clinical Professor Anne Hammer Lauridsen from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 2,866,546 for the project "Reproductive risks in women with moderate cervical dysplasia."

This study investigates whether standard treatment for moderate precancerous changes in the cervix affects fertility and pregnancy loss, as well as whether hormonal contraception increases cancer risk.

Clinical Professor Henrik Saabye Wiggers from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 2,707,016 for the project "Determination of the mechanisms of ketone body-induced beneficial cardiac effects in patients with chronic heart failure."

This study explores how ketone bodies improve heart function in heart failure patients by measuring ketone uptake in the heart and analyzing the effects on enzymes and proteins in cardiac tissue. The goal is to find new treatment methods for heart failure.

Senior Researcher Julie Werenberg Dreier from the Center for Register-based Research receives DKK 3,168,000 for the project "Valproate discontinuation in men – what are the implications?"

Using Scandinavian health registers, the project examines whether discontinuation or switching from valproate treatment in men is associated with increased risk of excess mortality and hospitalizations.

Clinical Professor Hatice Tankisi from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,167,951 for the project "Neuromodulation of chronic migraine: exploring mechanisms and treatment strategies."

This project investigates the neural mechanisms behind chronic migraine and tests the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment, focusing on reducing migraine days and symptom burden.

Associate Professor Peter Bangsgaard Stoustrup from the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health receives DKK 3,020,256 for the project "Utilizing Artificial Intelligence to Identify Root Resorption Risk among Orthodontic Patients."

The project aims to develop AI-based models to predict the risk of severe root resorption in orthodontic patients, using data from 1,200 former patients. The goal is to improve treatment and reduce complications like tooth loss.

Clinical Associate Professor Kirstine Kirkegaard from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,027,181 for the project "Association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), inflammation, oxidative stress and reduced female fertility."

The project examines the relationship between PFAS contamination and reduced fertility by analyzing blood samples from women for PFAS levels and linking it to fertility treatments and molecular mechanisms in the ovaries.

Clinical Professor Lars Rejnmark from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,165,916 for the project "Bisphosphonate vs. Placebo Prior to Parathyroidectomy in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Randomized, double-blinded Placebo-controlled Trial."

This study investigates the effect of bisphosphonates versus placebo, given before surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), on bone healing and bone density one year after surgery to optimize the treatment of osteoporosis.

Clinical Professor Morten Høyer from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,166,704 for the project “Proton therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.”

This project investigates the effects and side effects of proton therapy for primary liver cancer, including prognostic factors and the impact on patients' quality of life.

Assistant Professor Vicki Trier Taasti from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 2,284,512 for the project “Improving outcomes of proton therapy for pediatric cancer patients through individualized imaging strategies.”

This study develops methods to improve the accuracy of proton therapy dose calculation for children by accounting for their age, size, and bone composition. It also aims to reduce daily radiation dose from imaging and improve image quality using artificial intelligence.

Clinical Associate Professor Andreas Fløe Hvass from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 2,494,075 for the project “TOLA: Transthoracic Drainage of Lung Abscesses. A Randomized Controlled Trial.”

This study investigates whether thoracic drainage as a standard treatment can improve the management of lung abscesses, shorten hospitalization and antibiotic treatment, and increase the likelihood of identifying bacteria, leading to better-targeted treatment and improved clinical practice.

Clinical Professor Sándor Beniczky from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,168,000 for the project “Automated interpretation of electromyography using artificial intelligence to improve diagnosis in neuromuscular disorders.”

This project develops an AI-based method for the automatic interpretation of EMG signals to improve the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders, increase accuracy, and reduce misdiagnoses.

Associate Professor Anne Sofie Dam Laursen from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,166,416 for the project “Endocrine disrupting chemicals and spontaneous abortion: Do time of exposure and folate intake matter?”

This project investigates the relationship between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and the risk of spontaneous abortion by analyzing blood and urine samples from women before and early in pregnancy. It also examines whether folic acid intake can mitigate the harmful effects of these chemicals.

Professor Christian Fynbo Christiansen from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 3,161,808 for the project “Targeted referral and care of chronic kidney disease - the right care to the right patients.”

This project explores whether a risk model can improve the referral of patients with chronic kidney disease from general practice to specialists, as well as the economic consequences of using the model.

Clinical Chair Professor Jens Otto Lunde Jørgensen from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 6,007,630 for the project “Repurposing Cabergoline for preventive migraine treatment: A Randomized Clinical Phase 2 Trial.”

This project investigates the link between elevated prolactin and migraines, and tests cabergoline as a preventive treatment for migraines, with the goal of repurposing it as an effective, safe, and affordable solution for migraines.

Clinical Professor and Lecturer Lars Henning Pedersen from the Department of Clinical Medicine and the Department of Biomedicine receives DKK 6,145,979 for the project “Optimal Classification And improved Prevention of Intrauterine growth restriction (OCAPI).”

This project examines how medications and combinations of drugs influence the risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR) using national data and advanced statistical methods, with the aim of identifying safe medication strategies during pregnancy.

Professor Ole Schmeltz Søgaard from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 5,747,764 for the project “Safety and efficacy of a broadly neutralizing anti-HBV antibody in people with chronic hepatitis B infection: A phase 1b trial.”

This project conducts a phase 1b trial of monoclonal antibodies (HepB mAb19) to assess safety and antiviral effects in patients with untreated chronic hepatitis B, focusing on boosting T-cell immunity and increasing the chances of achieving a functional cure.

Professor Thomas Maribo from the Department of Public Health receives DKK 6,094,842 for the project “Strengthened clinical research in municipal healthcare services: Person-centred cardiac rehabilitation - enhancing mental well-being for cardiac patients and their relatives.”

This project develops and evaluates a psychosocial intervention aimed at improving the mental well-being of heart patients, in collaboration with researchers and municipalities. It aims to integrate mental health into cardiac rehabilitation and provide timely support for patients in need.

Professor Ludvig Muren from the Department of Clinical Medicine receives DKK 6,180,768 for the project “Development and clinical implementation of deep-learning based dose-guided treatment adaptation strategies in proton therapy.”

This project develops AI models to manage anatomical changes during proton therapy to optimize cancer treatment in the head/neck and pelvic regions.