“A genome-wide cross-phenotype meta-analysis of the association of blood pressure with migraine” (2020) Nature Communications A genome-wide cross-phenotype meta-analysis of the association of blood pressure with migraine (2020) Nature Communications, 11 (1), art. no. 3368, . Guo, Y.a b c , Rist, P.M.a b c , Daghlas, I.a b , Giulianini, F.a , Gormley, P.e f g h , Anttila, V.f g i , Winsvold, B.S.j k l , Palta, P.m , Esko, T.f n o , Pers, T.H.f o p q , Farh, K.-H.f i r , Cuenca-Leon, E.e f g s , Muona, […]
Category: School of Medicine
Experimental drug shows early promise against inherited form of ALS, trial indicates
An experimental drug for a rare, inherited form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has shown promise in a phase 1/phase 2 clinical trial conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and other sites around the world and sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Biogen Inc. The trial indicated […]
Davis, Luby receive 2020 faculty achievement awards; Covey to be honored for innovation and entrepreneurship
Adrienne Davis and Joan Luby will receive Washington University in St. Louis’ 2020 faculty achievement awards, Chancellor Andrew D. Martin announced. Davis, vice provost, the William M. Van Cleve Professor of Law and inaugural director of the university’s Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity, will receive the Arthur Holly Compton Faculty Achievement […]
Chen receives $500,000 grant to study new technique in pediatric brain cancer model
In Australia, brain cancer kills more children than any other disease. But it is difficult to treat without significant risks from surgical or drug treatment. Hong Chen, assistant professor of biomedical engineering in the Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering and of radiation oncology in the School of Medicine, will address the […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent euismod, quam at feugiat commodo, turpis orci feugiat justo, nec porta nibh lectus vitae dui. Author Correction: Multimodal hippocampal subfield grading for Alzheimer’s disease classification (Scientific Reports, (2019), 9, 1, (13845), 10.1038/s41598-019-49970-9) (2020) Scientific Reports Author Correction: Multimodal hippocampal subfield grading for Alzheimer’s disease classification (Scientific […]
How To Safeguard Mental Health As Pandemic Becomes ‘A Really Long Haul’
It was one thing to navigate the initial stress and disruptions of the coronavirus pandemic. And early on, as people looked for ways to guard mental well-being amid big changes, many realized that it helped to have a sense of horizon in sight. “I can shelter in place for a month” and “One semester at […]
Study to examine social media’s effects on stress during COVID-19 pandemic
The impact of social media on anxiety and stress during the coronavirus pandemic is the focus of a new study led by mental health experts at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and computer scientists at Georgia Tech. The National Science Foundation is funding the pilot study. The researchers plan to use computer […]
Do probiotics actually do anything?
There is an invisible universe hidden inside your body, it’s called the gut microbiome — a vast array of trillions of intestinal bacteria, hundreds of different species. They help digest your food in exchange for a warm, safe place to live. And we are only now starting to discover the gut microbiome plays a much […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“Using polygenic scores for identifying individuals at increased risk of substance use disorders in clinical and population samples” (2020) Translational Psychiatry Using polygenic scores for identifying individuals at increased risk of substance use disorders in clinical and population samples (2020) Translational Psychiatry, 10 (1), art. no. 196, . Barr, P.B.a , Ksinan, A.b , Su, J.c , Johnson, E.C.d , […]
Board of Trustees grants faculty appointments, promotions
At the Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees meeting May 1, several faculty members were appointed or promoted with tenure, effective July 1 unless otherwise indicated. Appointment with tenure …Jonathan Kipnis as professor of pathology and immunology at the School of Medicine; Carolina B. Lopez as professor of molecular microbiology at the School of Medicine […]
Ferguson receives award from blindness-prevention organization
Thomas A. Ferguson, PhD, a professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, has received a Research to Prevent Blindness Stein Innovation Award. Ferguson is an internationally recognized expert on the role of autophagy — the natural, regulated mechanism that helps cells remove unnecessary or malfunctioning components — in the development of eye diseases, such as age-related […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“Entropy, mutual information, and systematic measures of structured spiking neural networks” (2020) Journal of Theoretical Biology Entropy, mutual information, and systematic measures of structured spiking neural networks (2020) Journal of Theoretical Biology, 501, art. no. 110310, . Li, W.a , Li, Y.b a Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States b Department […]
Schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders focus of new clinic for teens, young adults
The first signs of mental illness involving psychosis — the experience of having hallucinations, delusions or intrusive, disturbing thoughts — often appear during the teen years. There is emerging evidence, however, that early intervention can help such adolescents avoid the extremely serious problems that can derail their educations and disrupt family relationships. With this goal […]
Stroke survival rates worse in rural areas, study says
A major U.S. study reveals large gaps between urban and rural patients in quality of care received after a stroke and rates of survival. In more rural areas, the ability of hospitals to deliver advanced stroke care is lower and mortality rates substantially higher, the research shows. The analysis, involving nearly 800,000 patients, was led […]
Previously undetected brain pulses may help circuits survive disuse, injury
A neuroscientist’s neon pink arm cast led him and fellow researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to discover previously undetected neuronal pulses in the human brain that activate after an immobilizing illness or injury. The pulses appeared on MRI scans used to measure brain activity of the neuroscientist and, later, two […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“GATA2 Regulates Constitutive PD-L1 and PD-L2 Expression in Brain Tumors” (2020) Scientific Reports GATA2 Regulates Constitutive PD-L1 and PD-L2 Expression in Brain Tumors (2020) Scientific Reports, 10 (1), art. no. 9027, . Fu, Y.a b , Liu, C.J.a b , Kobayashi, D.K.a b , Johanns, T.M.b c , Bowman-Kirigin, J.A.a , Schaettler, M.O.a , Mao, D.D.a , Bender, D.b , Kelley, D.G.d , Uppaluri, R.e , Bi, W.L.f , Dunn, I.F.g , […]
Scientists map how human retinal cells relay information to brain
To understand how we see the world and how diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma impair vision, scientists need to understand how the retina communicates vision signals to the brain. Previously, researchers have worked primarily with retinal cells from animals. But a new study from scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in […]
Mokalled receives national early career award
Mayssa H. Mokalled, PhD, an assistant professor of developmental biology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received the 2020 H.W. Mossman Award in Developmental Biology from the American Association for Anatomy. This award recognizes outstanding researchers in developmental biology who, though still in the early stages of their careers, already have […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“Single cell transcriptomics reveals opioid usage evokes widespread suppression of antiviral gene program” (2020) Nature Communications Single cell transcriptomics reveals opioid usage evokes widespread suppression of antiviral gene program (2020) Nature Communications, 11 (1), art. no. 2611, . Karagiannis, T.T.a b , Cleary, J.P., Jr.b c , Gok, B.b d , Henderson, A.J.e , Martin, N.G.f , Yajima, M.g , Nelson, […]
$3.7 million aimed at studying effect of manganese exposure on cognitive skills
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received a $3.7 million grant to investigate the link between manganese and cognitive problems. Understanding how the metal harms the brain could lead to better ways to prevent or treat some forms of cognitive impairment, including in Parkinson’s disease. The grant, from the National […]
4 Ways to Help if Your Kid Is Depressed
A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a worrying shift in my 9-year-old. His characteristic silliness — his goofy giggles and incessant bad jokes — had disappeared. He stopped wanting to go outside and said he was too tired to play. He crawled under his bed covers and lay quietly in his room, while the […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“Peripheral nerve resident macrophages share tissue-specific programming and features of activated microglia” (2020) Nature Communications Peripheral nerve resident macrophages share tissue-specific programming and features of activated microglia (2020) Nature Communications, 11 (1), art. no. 2552, . Wang, P.L.a b , Yim, A.K.Y.b , Kim, K.-W.a , Avey, D.b , Czepielewski, R.S.a , Colonna, M.a , Milbrandt, J.b , Randolph, G.J.a a Division […]
On the front lines: Jessica Gold
Psychiatrist Jessica Gold, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, talks about the impact the COVID-19 crisis has been having on mental health. This video is part of a series of short videos focusing on how Washington University health-care workers, scientists and students have responded to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more and […]
$13.7 million to further adolescent brain development study
Washington University scientists will receive $13.7 million in additional funding for ongoing research into adolescent brain development. Their work is part of the largest long-term study of brain development ever conducted in the United States. Washington University is one of 21 study sites around the country participating in the project. Launched in 2015, the Adolescent Brain […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“The Influence of Surgical Intervention and Sagittal Alignment on Frailty in Adult Cervical Deformity” (2020) Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) The Influence of Surgical Intervention and Sagittal Alignment on Frailty in Adult Cervical Deformity (2020) Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.), 18 (6), pp. 583-589. Segreto, F.A.a b , Passias, P.G.a b , Brown, A.E.a b , Horn, S.R.a b , Bortz, C.A.a b , Pierce, K.E.a b , Alas, H.a b , […]
On the front lines: Jay Piccirillo
Otolaryngologist Jay Piccirillo, MD, professor of otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, discusses the loss of smell and/or taste that is sometimes associated with the virus that causes COVID-19. Read more and watch.
Podcast: Global study tests chloroquine to protect health workers from COVID-19
More than 10% of those with serious COVID-19 infections have been front-line health-care workers. Now, an international group led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is launching a trial to see whether the drug chloroquine might help those workers. The drug trial won’t treat doctors, nurses and others after they […]
Global study to test malaria drug to protect health workers from COVID-19
With $9 million in philanthropic support, an international group of physicians and scientists is establishing a research network to evaluate promising therapies for COVID-19. The group, called the COVID-19 Research Outcomes Worldwide Network (CROWN) Collaborative, is testing whether the antimalaria drug chloroquine can prevent COVID-19 infection or decrease its severity in front-line health-care workers. An […]
Obituary: Barbara Geller, professor emerita of child psychiatry, 81
Barbara Geller, MD, an emerita professor of child psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, died Friday, May 8, 2020, in hospice in St. Louis after a brief illness. She was 81. A leading researcher in manic and depressive disorders in children, Geller was the recipient of […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“Feasibility and safety of focused ultrasound-enabled liquid biopsy in the brain of a porcine model” (2020) Scientific Reports Feasibility and safety of focused ultrasound-enabled liquid biopsy in the brain of a porcine model (2020) Scientific Reports, 10 (1), art. no. 7449, . Pacia, C.P.a , Zhu, L.a , Yang, Y.a , Yue, Y.a , Nazeri, A.b , Michael Gach, H.a b […]
Chen receives early career award for research in therapeutic ultrasound
Hong Chen, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering and of radiation oncology at the School of Medicine, has been selected to receive the 2020 Frederic Lizzi Early Career Award from the International Society of Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU). The award recognizes individuals early in their professional career who have contributed substantially […]
Could COVID-19 Finally Destigmatize Mental Illness?
There is a research model going around that suggests as many as 150,000 additional people could die from mental health-related outcomes of COVID-19. I could argue the merits of the mathematical model as many of my colleagues have. I could also make the case that discussing the depths of despair and predicting increasing suicide rates […]
Six teams selected for LEAP funding
The Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Washington University in St. Louis recently announced six teams were selected for funding to prepare their projects for commercialization through the spring 2020 LEAP Gap Fund cycle. The LEAP Gap Fund is open to any person or team with potential or existing university intellectual property. Through the program, […]
‘Thank you, #WashU20’ features Claire Weichselbaum, Kow Essuman
To the Class of 2020: Thank you. For your commitment to academic excellence. For your service to the St. Louis community. For your support of your fellow students. For your devotion to your labs, your teams, your campus organizations. You made Washington University in St. Louis better. We wish we could express our gratitude to […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on the course and outcomes of patients with bipolar disorder in a treatment-resistant depressive episode: a 5-year prospective registry” (2020) International Journal of Bipolar Disorders The effects of vagus nerve stimulation on the course and outcomes of patients with bipolar disorder in a treatment-resistant depressive episode: a 5-year prospective […]
Flies sleep when need arises to adapt to new situations
Flies that cannot take to the air respond by sleeping more as they learn to adapt to their flightlessness, according to a study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The findings, published May 8 in Science Advances, suggest that sleep may be an evolutionary tool that helps animals adapt to challenging new […]
Stroke evaluations drop by nearly 40% during COVID-19 pandemic
The number of people evaluated for signs of stroke at U.S. hospitals has dropped by nearly 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis who analyzed stroke evaluations at more than 800 hospitals across 49 states and the District of Columbia. The […]
Nikhil Aggarwal wins 2020 Quatrano Prize
Nikhil Aggarwal, a senior majoring in the neuroscience track of biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, has been awarded the 2020 Ralph S. Quatrano Prize. Established through a generous donation by Katherine Day Reinleitner, the Quatrano Prize is awarded to the thesis showing greatest evidence of creativity in design, research […]
4 ways to take care of your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic
Millions in the U.S. and around the world are under stay-at-home orders as officials hope to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But how do those practices affect individuals’ mental health? What are the unique mental health challenges people are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how do they affect health care workers, those living […]
Gutmann receives Advocate of Hope award
David H. Gutmann, MD, PhD, the Donald O. Schnuck Family Professor and vice chair for research affairs in the Department of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received the Advocate of Hope Award from the national Neurofibromatosis (NF) Network. The NF Network is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people living […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“Ocular and brain imaging findings in Peters’ anomaly: A case report and literature review” (2020) Radiology Case Reports Ocular and brain imaging findings in Peters’ anomaly: A case report and literature review (2020) Radiology Case Reports, 15 (7), pp. 863-866. Samara, A.a , Eldaya, R.W.b a Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 4525 Scott Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, […]
Baron Chanda, PhD, joins Department of Anesthesiology
The Department of Anesthesiology extends a warm welcome to Baron Chanda, PhD, who has joined Washington University School of Medicine as Professor of Anesthesiology with secondary appointments in the Departments of Biochemistry and Neuroscience. Dr. Chanda comes to the department with a rich research background focused on understanding ion channel function in a physiological context. […]
New targets for childhood brain tumors identified
Children with the genetic condition neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) can develop brain and nerve tumors. If a tumor develops within the optic nerve, which connects the eye and the brain, the child may lose his or her vision. New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that the growth of these […]
Manasvi Verma wins 2020 Spector Prize
Manasvi Verma, a senior majoring in biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, has been awarded the 2020 Spector Prize. Each year, the Department of Biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis awards a prize to a graduating senior in memory of Marion Smith Spector, a 1938 […]
Potential biomarker for autism identified in infants
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Stanford University have identified a biomarker in newborns that may signal autism spectrum disorder months or even years before troubling symptoms develop and such diagnoses typically are made. The researchers found that babies diagnosed with autism later in childhood had in their cerebrospinal fluid, […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“The SARM1 axon degeneration pathway: control of the NAD+ metabolome regulates axon survival in health and disease” (2020) Current Opinion in Neurobiology The SARM1 axon degeneration pathway: control of the NAD+ metabolome regulates axon survival in health and disease (2020) Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 63, pp. 59-66. Figley, M.D.a , DiAntonio, A.a b a Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University […]
Maker Task Force works to protect front-line health-care workers
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, a diverse team of makers from across Washington University in St. Louis’ Danforth and Medical campuses, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and BJC HealthCare have come together to protect front-line health-care workers and employees on the ground. “With the surge of COVID-19 patients we’re expecting, we want to make sure doctors, […]
Diabetes reversed in mice with genetically edited stem cells derived from patients
Using induced pluripotent stem cells produced from the skin of a patient with a rare, genetic form of insulin-dependent diabetes called Wolfram syndrome, researchers transformed the human stem cells into insulin-producing cells and used the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to correct a genetic defect that had caused the syndrome. They then implanted the cells into lab mice […]
Podcast: Preserving mental, physical health while isolating at home
The St. Louis region and most of the United States are under stay-at-home orders, meaning that aside from reporting to “essential” jobs that require attendance, and trips to the grocery store, drug store or other necessary errands, most people are spending more time at home than ever before. This week’s podcast features experts in maintaining […]
WashU weekly Neuroscience publications
“cADPR is a gene dosage-sensitive biomarker of SARM1 activity in healthy, compromised, and degenerating axons” (2020) Experimental Neurology cADPR is a gene dosage-sensitive biomarker of SARM1 activity in healthy, compromised, and degenerating axons (2020) Experimental Neurology, 329, art. no. 113252, . Sasaki, Y.a , Engber, T.M.b , Hughes, R.O.b , Figley, M.D.c , Wu, T.a , Bosanac, T.b , Devraj, […]
