SUMMARY
Michelle L. Mauermann, M.D., studies disorders that damage the peripheral nerve system through neoplastic (hematologic), inflammatory or genetic mechanisms. She uses human clinical trials in her research. The long-term goals of Dr. Mauermann's research are to elucidate the mechanisms of neuropathies in plasma cell disorders and to improve treatment of hereditary amyloidosis, plasma cell disorders and inflammatory neuropathies.
Focus areas
- Peripheral neuropathies associated with plasma cell disorders. Peripheral neuropathies occur in many plasma cell disorders such as multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (IgM-MGUS), amyloidosis and POEMS syndrome. Dr. Mauermann is studying the clinical, electrophysiological, radiological and pathological features of these various peripheral neuropathies to better understand the underlying mechanisms and develop disease biomarkers. She is also involved in human clinical trials of amyloidosis and POEMS syndrome.
- Hereditary amyloidosis. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis causes a fatal multisystem disorder that includes the peripheral nerves, autonomic nervous system, heart and gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Mauermann is studying clinical phenotypes and disease biomarkers. She is involved in human multicenter clinical trials of various treatments for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis.
- Peripheral nerve tumors. Dr. Mauermann is studying the underlying genetic mechanisms for intraneural perineurioma, a benign nerve tumor that can lead to focal nerve damage.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Mauermann's research into peripheral nerve disease centers on human disease with significant disability. Her research focuses on disease phenotyping, biomarker development and direct human clinical trials with the goal of improving treatment for patients with these diseases.