A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis demonstrates that certain human gut microbes can mine dietary fiber to extract nutrients that otherwise would remain inaccessible to the human body. The study, published June 27 in the journal Cell, illustrates how the fiber byproducts of food production — such as rinds, […]
One of a medical student’s most powerful teachers inspires compassion, forgives mistakes and leaves an indelible impression that forever guides that student’s clinical care and research, all without ever saying a word. That silent teacher is also a student’s first patient. At Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, they meet during first-year anatomy […]
“Virtual navigation in healthy aging: Activation during learning and deactivation during retrieval predicts successful memory for spatial locations” (2022) Neuropsychologia Virtual navigation in healthy aging: Activation during learning and deactivation during retrieval predicts successful memory for spatial locations(2022) Neuropsychologia, 173, art. no. 108298, . Richmond, L.L.a b , Sargent, J.Q.c , Zacks, J.M.a a Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St […]
The Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) has awarded its Glass Brain Award to Deanna Barch, PhD, chair and professor of psychological and brain sciences in Arts & Sciences and the Gregory B. Couch Professor of Psychiatry and professor of radiology at the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. OHBM is an international society […]
Although there have been steady increases over the past 20 years in the number of people nationwide who die by suicide, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that such increases have slowed slightly in states that have implemented Medicaid expansion. “Suicide is a public health problem, and our findings […]
Gerald Early, PhD, the Merle King Professor of Modern Letters in Arts & Sciences, will serve as interim director of the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE2) at Washington University in St. Louis, effective July 1. The center provides programs and partnerships for Danforth and Medical campus faculty researching issues related to race […]
"Relationships between food-related behaviors, obesity, and medication use in individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome" (2022) Research in Developmental Disabilities Relationships between food-related behaviors, obesity, and medication use in individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome(2022) Research in Developmental Disabilities, 127, art. no. 104257, . Gandhi, A.A.a , Wilson, T.A.a , Sisley, S.b c , Elsea, S.H.a , Foster, R.H.d e a Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, […]
Polina V. Lishko, PhD, a noted molecular biologist and entrepreneur, has been named a BJC Investigator at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Lishko, whose innovative investigations of molecular mechanisms of bioactive lipid signaling has advanced scientific understanding in fields as varied as reproductive biology, vision and neurodegeneration, joins the Department of Cell Biology […]
In one of the first studies to look at the association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) medications and brain development in young children, research from the Behavioral Research and Imaging Neurogenetics (BRAIN)Lab at Washington University in St. Louis found no association between children’s exposure to the drugs in the womb and later childhood depression. The study […]
At the Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees meeting May 6, numerous faculty members were appointed or promoted with tenure or granted tenure, effective July 1 unless otherwise indicated. Appointment with tenure Andrew Clark as associate professor of electrical and systems engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering; Xianglin Li as associate professor of mechanical […]
David H. Gutmann, MD, PhD, the Donald O. Schnuck Family Professor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been elected to the Association of American Physicians. Election is an honor extended to physicians who have made outstanding contributions to basic or translational biomedical research and who represent the highest caliber […]
When something goes wrong in mitochondria, the tiny organelles that power cells, it can cause a bewildering variety of symptoms such as poor growth, fatigue and weakness, seizures, developmental and cognitive disabilities, and vision problems. The culprit could be a defect in any of the 1,300 or so proteins that make up mitochondria, but scientists […]
"A novel algorithm for multiplicative speckle noise reduction in ex vivo human brain OCT images" (2022) NeuroImage A novel algorithm for multiplicative speckle noise reduction in ex vivo human brain OCT images(2022) NeuroImage, 257, art. no. 119304, . Varadarajan, D.a b , Magnain, C.a b , Fogarty, M.c d , Boas, D.A.f , Fischl, B.a b e , Wang, H.a b a Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, […]
A research team, led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, has identified abnormalities in the development of the brain’s visual system in infants that may predispose them to developing autism. The research, published May 26 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, suggests […]
Guoyan Zhao, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, received a $433,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to apply a cutting-edge imaging technology to study subcellular features of brain tissue from Alzheimer’s patients. Read more.
“Single-cell profiling of human dura and meningioma reveals cellular meningeal landscape and insights into meningioma immune response” (2022) Genome Medicine Single-cell profiling of human dura and meningioma reveals cellular meningeal landscape and insights into meningioma immune response(2022) Genome Medicine, 14 (1), art. no. 49, . Wang, A.Z.a b c d e , Bowman-Kirigin, J.A.a b c d , Desai, R.a d , Kang, L.-I.f , Patel, P.R.g , Patel, B.a d , Khan, S.M.a d , Bender, D.c , […]
David J. Pagliarini, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in mitochondrial biology and a BJC Investigator at the School of Medicine, has been named the inaugural Hugo F. and Ina C. Urbauer Professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Pagliarini was installed by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin and David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor […]
People with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) develop tumors on nerves throughout their bodies. These tumors are usually benign — meaning they don’t spread to other parts of the body and are not considered life-threatening — but they can still cause serious medical problems such as blindness, especially when they form in the brain and nerves. […]
Amynah Pradhan, PhD, an award-winning neuroscientist, has been appointed director of the Center for Clinical Pharmacology (CCP), effective September 1, 2022. Dr. Pradhan joins the CCP from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she has been faculty since 2013 and associate professor with tenure since 2019. At UIC, Dr. […]
In this episode, we discuss issues that were problems long before anyone ever heard of COVID-19: alcohol use disorder and opioid overdose. Both seem to have gotten worse during the pandemic. Alcohol sales rose during the early days of lockdown, and they’ve remained high. Laura J. Bierut, MD, the Alumni Endowed Professor of Psychiatry, says another […]
“Donor activation focused rehabilitation approach to hand closing nerve transfer surgery in individuals with cervical level spinal cord injury” (2022) Spinal Cord Series and Cases Donor activation focused rehabilitation approach to hand closing nerve transfer surgery in individuals with cervical level spinal cord injury(2022) Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 8 (1), art. no. 47, . Kahn, L.C.a , Evans, A.G.b c , Hill, E.J.R.c , […]
Fragile X syndrome, the leading inherited cause of intellectual disability, is due to a genetic mutation that largely eliminates the fragile X protein, a critical element of normal brain development and function. The fragile X protein modulates neuronal functions, including neurons within the so-called GABAergic system that regulates the activity of neural circuits. The protein’s […]
Philip Ruzycki, PhD, an assistant professor in the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, has received a career development award from Research to Prevent Blindness. The award provides $350,000 to support Ruzycki’s laboratory over the next four years The award is given to support the independent pursuits of promising basic scientists and […]
Investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis conduct many clinical trials and translational research studies each year to develop and evaluate new ways of treating and diagnosing myriad types of diseases. Such research holds promise for improving the health of people living in St. Louis, across the state of Missouri and around […]
Eric J. Lenze, MD, a leader in the treatment of psychiatric disorders in older adults and in devising innovative clinical trials to answer pressing public health problems, has been named the head of the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He will begin his new role Aug. 1. Lenze is the […]
Michael A. Kass, MD, and Mae O. Gordon, PhD, are the recipients of the 2022 Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research. The annual prize, presented by the BrightFocus Foundation and the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, honors scientific discovery and excellence. Kass and Gordon, both professors in the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology […]
Each year, the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders recognizes trainees who present their work at the Hope Center Retreat. Hope Center award winners are selected based on scientific merit, presentation, and projects that address the Hope Center mission. Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Hope Center Awards based on presentations at yesterday’s Annual Hope […]
Several blood tests used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease are less accurate for African Americans than white patients, according to research from Washington University. The gold standard for Alzheimer’s diagnosis typically involves brain imaging and spinal fluid testing, but in recent years, biotech companies have developed an array of cheaper, less invasive blood tests to detect […]
“Shared and unique brain network features predict cognitive, personality, and mental health scores in the ABCD study” (2022) Nature Communications Shared and unique brain network features predict cognitive, personality, and mental health scores in the ABCD study(2022) Nature Communications, 13 (1), art. no. 2217, . Chen, J.a b c d , Tam, A.a b c d , Kebets, V.a b c d , Orban, C.a b c d , Ooi, L.Q.R.a b c d e , Asplund, C.L.b c d f g h , Marek, S.i , Dosenbach, N.U.F.j k l m , […]
Camillo Padoa-Schioppa, PhD, professor of neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine, as well as professor of biomedical engineering and of economics, received a five-year $2.3 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research titled “Neuronal mechanisms of good-based economic decisions.” Originally published on The […]
Vijay K. Samineni, PhD, assistant professor of anesthesiology at the Washington University School of Medicine, received a five-year $2.34 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research titled “Neural mechanisms underlying IC/BPS.” Originally published on The Source.
"Naturalistic driving measures of route selection associate with resting state networks in older adults" (2022) Scientific Reports Naturalistic driving measures of route selection associate with resting state networks in older adults(2022) Scientific Reports, 12 (1), art. no. 6486, . Wisch, J.K.a , Roe, C.M.a , Babulal, G.M.a d e , Metcalf, N.a , Johnson, A.M.f , Murphy, S.a , Hicks, J.a , Doherty, J.M.a , Morris, J.C.a c , Ances, B.M.a b c a Department of Neurology, […]
Less than half of Americans who received treatment for opioid use disorder over a five-year period were offered a potentially lifesaving medication, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Saint Louis University have found. And treatment with the medication was even more rare for those with what’s known as polysubstance use […]
Studying mice, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a neural circuit and a neuropeptide — a chemical messenger that carries signals between nerve cells — that transmit the sensation known as pleasant touch from the skin to the brain. Such touch — delivered by hugs, holding hands or caressing, […]
“VCP suppresses proteopathic seeding in neurons” (2022) Molecular Neurodegeneration VCP suppresses proteopathic seeding in neurons(2022) Molecular Neurodegeneration, 17 (1), art. no. 30, . Zhu, J.a , Pittman, S.a , Dhavale, D.a , French, R.b , Patterson, J.N.a , Kaleelurrrahuman, M.S.a , Sun, Y.c , Vaquer-Alicea, J.d , Maggiore, G.d , Clemen, C.S.e f , Buscher, W.J.g , Bieschke, J.c , Kotzbauer, P.a , Ayala, Y.b , Diamond, M.I.d , Davis, A.A.a , Weihl, C.a a Department of Neurology, Hope Center for […]
A new study has prompted scientists to reconsider a once-popular yet controversial idea in stroke research. Neuroscientists believed that, in the aftermath of a stroke, calming overexcited neurons might prevent them from releasing a toxic molecule that can kill neurons already damaged by lack of oxygen. This idea was supported by studies in cells and […]
Three experimental blood tests used to identify people in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease perform differently in Black individuals compared to white individuals, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The study showed that a fourth blood test — the PrecivityAD test, which is commercially available in the […]
After a busy morning of sitting crisscross applesauce during story time, of standing still like a statue in line, and of remembering to raise a hand before speaking (even when you’re ready to burst with excitement), the Curious Caterpillars skipped and ran outside to the playground, eager to participate in one of the highlights of […]
People with sleep apnea wake up tired in the morning, no matter how many hours they actually sleep. The condition causes them to briefly stop and restart breathing dozens or even hundreds of times a night. Even though such breathing interruptions often don’t awaken those with apnea, they prevent them from sinking into deep, refreshing […]
“The CSF in neurosarcoidosis contains consistent clonal expansion of CD8 T cells, but not CD4 T cells” (2022) Journal of Neuroimmunology The CSF in neurosarcoidosis contains consistent clonal expansion of CD8 T cells, but not CD4 T cells(2022) Journal of Neuroimmunology, 367, art. no. 577860, . Paley, M.A.a , Baker, B.J.b , Dunham, S.R.b , Linskey, N.a , Cantoni, C.b , Lee, K.b , Hassman, L.M.c , […]
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at Washington University in St. Louis presented outstanding mentor awards to James Stroud, PhD, Alexxai Kravitz, PhD, and John Russell, PhD, at the 17th annual Postdoc Symposium on March 21 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the Medical Campus. Stroud, a postdoctoral research associate in biology, received the Outstanding […]
About 18 million children under age 5 suffer from severe acute malnutrition, and over 3 million children die from it each year. Treatment with high-calorie supplemental foods and antibiotics can prevent deaths, but these interventions often have limited impact on the long-term effects of severe acute malnutrition, such as persistent stunted growth, disrupted immune function […]
Mark A. Rutherford, PhD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, received a $3.5 million grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research on the pore-forming and auxiliary subunit molecular anatomy of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in the cochlea […]
The Society for Research in Psychopathology has awarded its Joseph Zubin Lifetime Achievement Award to Deanna Barch, PhD, chair and professor of psychological and brain sciences in Arts & Sciences as well as the Gregory B. Couch Professor of Psychiatry and professor of radiology at the School of Medicine, all at Washington University in St. Louis. The award, […]
Poverty and crime can have devastating effects on a child’s health. But a new study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that some environmental factors influence the structure and function of young brains even before babies make their entrances into the world. A study published online April 12 in […]
“A transgenic mouse embryonic stem cell line for puromycin selection of V0V interneurons from heterogenous induced cultures” (2022) Stem Cell Research and Therapy A transgenic mouse embryonic stem cell line for puromycin selection of V0V interneurons from heterogenous induced cultures(2022) Stem Cell Research and Therapy, 13 (1), art. no. 131, . Pardieck, J.a b , Harb, M.a , Sakiyama-Elbert, S.E.a a Department of Biomedical Engineering, […]
Naval warfighters may be exposed to explosions, impacts or high accelerations that increase their risk for traumatic brain injury. A team of researchers led by Philip Bayly, PhD, at Washington University in St. Louis plans a comprehensive study of skull-brain mechanics using imaging, computer and preclinical models to study the strains and stresses of the […]
In order to understand healthy neurodevelopment — and the threats to that health — researchers need a more comprehensive understanding of how the brain grows throughout childhood and young adulthood. To that end, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $753,181 grant to Deanna Barch, PhD, chair and professor of psychological and brain […]
Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD, of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been named the 2022 Senior Scientist Winner of the Innovators in Science Award administered by the New York Academy of Sciences and sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Gordon, the Dr. Robert J. Glaser Distinguished University Professor, was selected by a jury of […]
At the Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees meeting March 4, numerous faculty members were appointed or promoted with tenure or granted tenure, effective July 1 unless otherwise indicated. Promotion with tenure Carlos A. Botero to associate professor of biology in Arts & Sciences; Caitlyn M. Collins to associate professor of sociology in Arts & […]
