Dr. Crouser is actively funded by the NIH to investigate inflammatory diseases that involve the lungs and other organs in the context of critical illness. He also has a combined grant from the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research and American Thoracic Society to investigate the role of a specific nicotine receptor (alpha-7 nicotinic receptor) as a potential therapeutic target for sarcoidosis patients. The hypothesis is that nicotine agonists may reduce inflammation and thereby improve outcomes in sarcoidosis patients. Interestingly, smokers, who are chronically exposed to nicotine, have been shown to have a lower incidence of sarcoidosis than non-smokers.

Dr. Crouser, in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic (Drs. Daniel Culver and Charis Eng) recently discovered novel "biomarkers" of lung inflammation in sarcoidosis patients. The results of this study were recently published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. These biomarkers may help to predict who will require long-term treatment and may advance understanding of the disease. More research is needed to understand the full implications of this discovery.