As the COVID-19 pandemic surged last summer and contact tracers struggled to identify sources of infections, John Cirrito, PhD, an associate professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Carla Yuede, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry, began to kick around an idea. Could a biosensor they’d developed years ago for Alzheimer’s disease […]
"Molecular classification of a complex structural rearrangement of the RB1 locus in an infant with sporadic, isolated, intracranial, sellar region retinoblastoma" (2021) Acta Neuropathologica Communications Molecular classification of a complex structural rearrangement of the RB1 locus in an infant with sporadic, isolated, intracranial, sellar region retinoblastoma(2021) Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 9 (1), art. no. 61, . Schieffer, K.M.a , Feldman, A.Z.b , Kautto, E.A.a , […]
The Clinical Research Forum, a nonprofit association of top clinical research experts from the nation’s leading academic health centers, has awarded an international interdisciplinary team led by Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD, a Distinguished Clinical Research Achievement Award for his study “Integrating Global Health with the Microbiome.” The honor recognizes studies’ creativity, innovation and novel approaches that demonstrate immediate […]
Dolores B. Njoku, MD, a noted clinician, researcher and mentor, has been named the director of pediatric anesthesiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and anesthesiologist-in-chief at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. With the post, she will become the new Rudolph L. and Mary Frances Wise Endowed Chair in Pediatric Anesthesiology. She also has been […]
More than 20 years after the launch of a landmark clinical trial, follow-up examinations and analyses found that not all patients with elevated eye pressure need pressure-lowering treatment to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. When the study was launched, it was universally accepted that all patients with elevated eye pressure should be given medication to […]
At the Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees meeting March 5, numerous faculty members were appointed or promoted with tenure or granted tenure, effective July 1 unless otherwise indicated. Promotion with tenure Ruopeng An to associate professor at the Brown School; Arpita Bose to associate professor of biology in Arts & Sciences; Hong […]
His phone rang all day. Same unknown number. It had to be a telemarketer. Engrossed in an NIH workshop about the obstacles of research, Damien Fair, PhD ’08, ignored the call. At the end of the day, he answered to say, in his polite Minnesota-bred way, “Please take me off your list!” A weighted pause. […]
Clinical scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and University College London are collaborating with pharmaceutical companies AbbVie, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb and Roche to investigate the role of neurofilament light (NfL) chain in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. NfL is a protein […]
"TDP-43 and PINK1 mediate CHCHD10 S59L mutation–induced defects in Drosophila and in vitro" (2021) Nature Communications TDP-43 and PINK1 mediate CHCHD10 S59L mutation–induced defects in Drosophila and in vitro(2021) Nature Communications, 12 (1), art. no. 1924, . Baek, M.a , Choe, Y.-J.a , Bannwarth, S.b , Kim, J.H.a , Maitra, S.a , Dorn, G.W., IIc , Taylor, J.P.d , Paquis-Flucklinger, V.b , Kim, N.C.a a Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical […]
David D. Limbrick, MD, PhD, the T. S. Park, MD, Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been appointed to the St. Louis Regional Health Commission as the representative from the School of Medicine. The commission is dedicated to ensuring the financial sustainability of the health-care safety net […]
Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD, has been awarded the George M. Kober Medal from the Association of American Physicians in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of gut microbiome research. Gordon, director of the Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is considered to […]
A new type of therapeutic food specifically designed to repair the gut microbiomes of malnourished children is superior to standard therapy in promoting growth, according to the results of a proof-of-concept clinical trial conducted in Bangladesh. The study, conducted by an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and […]
“Shared developmental gait disruptions across two mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders” (2021) Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Shared developmental gait disruptions across two mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders (2021) Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 13 (1), art. no. 10, . Rahn, R.M.a b c , Weichselbaum, C.T.a b d , Gutmann, D.H.d e , Dougherty, J.D.a b d , Maloney, S.E.b d a Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO […]
The humble lab mouse has provided invaluable clues to understanding diseases ranging from cancer to diabetes to COVID-19. But when it comes to psychiatric conditions, the lab mouse has been sidelined, its rodent mind considered too different from that of humans to provide much insight into mental illness. A new study, however, shows there are […]
Maria F. Bandres, a doctoral student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has received the 2021 American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) Diversity Fellowship. The fellowship, awarded annually to up to three individuals from groups underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, provides travel funds and registration expenses for conferences for the three years. […]
An aggressive type of brain cancer, glioblastoma has no cure. Patients survive an average of 15 months after diagnosis, with fewer than 10% of patients surviving longer than five years. While researchers are investigating potential new therapies via ongoing clinical trials, a new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that a minor adjustment […]
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital have established the Brain Tumor Center, a multidisciplinary practice of physicians and scientists whose mission is to provide leading-edge, patient-centric care for brain tumor patients while also developing transformative basic, translational and clinical research to develop new therapies and improve patient outcomes. Neurosurgeon and scientist Albert H. Kim, […]
“The transcriptional landscape of Shh medulloblastoma” (2021) Nature Communications The transcriptional landscape of Shh medulloblastoma (2021) Nature Communications, 12 (1), art. no. 1749, . Skowron, P.a b c , Farooq, H.a b c , Cavalli, F.M.G.a c , Morrissy, A.S.d e f , Ly, M.a b c , Hendrikse, L.D.a c g , Wang, E.Y.a c g , Djambazian, H.h i , Zhu, H.g j , Mungall, K.L.k , Trinh, Q.M.j , Zheng, T.l , Dai, S.m , Stucklin, A.S.G.a c , Vladoiu, M.C.a b c , Fong, V.a c , Holgado, B.L.a c , Nor, C.a c , Wu, […]
The Zika virus that ravaged the Americas, leaving many babies with permanent brain damage, may have a silver lining. The virus can activate immune cells to destroy an aggressive brain cancer in mice, giving a powerful boost to an immunotherapy drug and sparking long-lasting immunological memory that can ward off tumor recurrence for at least […]
The lightning speed with which scientists developed and tested the COVID-19 vaccine is a true scientific triumph — one that would not have been possible without the more than 70,000 volunteers who participated in clinical trials of the vaccine. Public participation is critical to the success of any medical research. Yet recruiting volunteers for trials […]
“Gut microbial dysbiosis after traumatic brain injury modulates the immune response and impairs neurogenesis” (2021) Acta Neuropathologica Communications Gut microbial dysbiosis after traumatic brain injury modulates the immune response and impairs neurogenesis (2021) Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 9 (1), art. no. 40, . Celorrio, M.a , Abellanas, M.A.a c d , Rhodes, J.a , Goodwin, V.a , Moritz, J.a , Vadivelu, S.a , Wang, L.b , Rodgers, R.b , Xiao, S.a , Anabayan, […]
Older adults with severe disability due to multiple sclerosis are 25 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those with more mild forms of the neurological disorder, a study published Friday by JAMA Neurology found. These same patients with multiple sclerosis are up to four times as likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms and require hospital care after […]
“Driving is an integral part of the American identity,” said Ganesh Babulal, assistant professor of neurology. Babulal is the principal investigator on two of the grants and a co-principal investigator on the third. “For the next three decades, there’s going to be massive growth of the aging population, and driving — not autonomous vehicles or ride-sharing, but […]
Five physician-scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have been elected members of the American Society for Clinical Investigation in recognition of original, creative and independent investigations in the clinical or allied sciences of medicine. The new members will be inducted April 8. Patricia Dickson, MD, is the Centennial Professor of Pediatrics, […]
For 13 years, Daniel Carr had no idea he was missing part of his brain. One of the first clues occurred on the baseball field. The coach of his seventh-grade boys’ competitive team in suburban St. Louis noticed Daniel’s unusual, albeit effective, fielding tactic in the outfield. Daniel wore his glove on his right hand. […]
A worldwide clinical trial aimed at finding treatments for Alzheimer’s disease has expanded to include investigational drugs targeting a harmful form of the brain protein tau. The trial, known as the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU) and led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, launched in 2012 as the first […]
"Cardiac glycosides target barrier inflammation of the vasculature, meninges and choroid plexus" (2021) Communications Biology Cardiac glycosides target barrier inflammation of the vasculature, meninges and choroid plexus(2021) Communications Biology, 4 (1), art. no. 260, . Jansson, D.a b c , Dieriks, V.B.b d , Rustenhoven, J.e f , Smyth, L.C.D.g h , Scotter, E.a b , Aalderink, M.a b , Feng, S.a b , Johnson, R.a b , Schweder, P.i , Mee, E.i , Heppner, P.j , Turner, C.k , Curtis, M.b d , […]
In the year since COVID-19 infections first appeared in the United States, a few things have become clear. One is that many who get sick don’t recover quickly. Even those who don’t have to be hospitalized can experience symptoms that linger. Called long-haulers, these individuals suffer from a variety of issues such as shortness of […]
Elizabeth Tesson remembers the exact moment she lost her sense of smell, the day after she tested positive for COVID-19. “I got a very odd feeling in my nose, like a burning sensation in my sinuses and along my cheeks,” said Tesson, who lives in St. Louis County. “About an hour and a half later, […]
“Anti-inflammatory dopamine- and serotonin-based endocannabinoid epoxides reciprocally regulate cannabinoid receptors and the TRPV1 channel” (2021) Nature Communications Anti-inflammatory dopamine- and serotonin-based endocannabinoid epoxides reciprocally regulate cannabinoid receptors and the TRPV1 channel (2021) Nature Communications, 12 (1), art. no. 926, . Arnold, W.R.a , Carnevale, L.N.a , Xie, Z.b , Baylon, J.L.c , Tajkhorshid, E.c , Hu, H.b , Das, A.d e a Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, […]
The race to find vaccines for COVID-19 has dominated the headlines, but there’s been less news about how to keep people with COVID out of the hospital. Tonight, we’re going to tell you a story about one possible treatment. It’s called fluvoxamine. The generic drug was developed 40 years ago as an antidepressant and has […]
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid misuse has continued unabated in the United States, with an estimated 2.5 million or more Americans suffering from opioid use disorder. Most people treated for the disorder are given medications, such as buprenorphine, that activate opioid receptors. But there is disagreement about whether it’s safe to prescribe buprenorphine for […]
“A Casz1–NuRD complex regulates temporal identity transitions in neural progenitors” (2021) Scientific Reports A Casz1–NuRD complex regulates temporal identity transitions in neural progenitors (2021) Scientific Reports, 11 (1), art. no. 3858, . Mattar, P.a f g , Jolicoeur, C.a , Dang, T.f g , Shah, S.f g , Clark, B.S.b c , Cayouette, M.a d e a Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada b John […]
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received an eight-year, $8.8 million grant to study cells’ ion channels as potential targets for new drugs to treat disorders affecting the brain, heart and muscles. Ion channels are found in a variety of cells, where they are involved in the conversion of chemical […]
Alzheimer’s researchers David M. Holtzman, MD, and Celeste Karch, PhD, of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, have been recognized by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation for scientific achievements that could lead to new, effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases associated with the accumulation of tau protein in the brain. Alzheimer’s is the best known such disease. […]
The Rainwater Charitable Foundation, one of the largest independent funders of neurodegenerative disease research, today announced Dr. David M. Holtzman (the Andrew B. and Gretchen P. Jones Professor and Chair of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis) and Dr. Celeste Karch (Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis) as this year’s recipients of the Rainwater Annual Prize for […]
“Domain-general cognitive motivation: evidence from economic decision-making” (2021) Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications Domain-general cognitive motivation: evidence from economic decision-making (2021) Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 6 (1), art. no. 4, . Crawford, J.L.a , Eisenstein, S.A.b c , Peelle, J.E.d , Braver, T.S.a a Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr, Box 1125, St. Louis, MO 63130, United […]
As people age, a normal brain protein known as amyloid beta often starts to collect into harmful amyloid plaques in the brain. Such plaques can be the first step on the path to Alzheimer’s dementia. When they form around blood vessels in the brain, a condition known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy, the plaques also raise […]
It’s been a year since the first COVID-19 cases started appearing in the United States, and during this span, many people have been living with the stress of trying to work from home while simultaneously trying to help their kids attend online school. Essential workers haven’t had the safety of home, having to continue working […]
“Improving hindlimb locomotor function by Non-invasive AAV-mediated manipulations of propriospinal neurons in mice with complete spinal cord injury” (2021) Nature Communications Improving hindlimb locomotor function by Non-invasive AAV-mediated manipulations of propriospinal neurons in mice with complete spinal cord injury (2021) Nature Communications, 12 (1), art. no. 781, . Brommer, B.a , He, M.a , Zhang, Z.a , Yang, Z.a , Page, J.C.a , Su, J.a , Zhang, Y.a , […]
Glioblastoma is among the most aggressive and devastating of cancers. While rare compared with other cancers, it’s the most common type of brain cancer. Even with intensive therapy, relatively few patients survive longer than two years after diagnosis, and fewer than 10% of patients survive beyond five years. Despite extensive studies focused on genomic features […]
Lawrence Coben, MD, who with his colleagues at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis developed a widely used scale that characterizes and tracks impairment in dementia patients, died of cancer Oct. 7, 2020, in Dedham, Mass. He was 94. Coben was an emeritus associate professor of neurology at the university. He retired in […]
"A 2020 view of tension-based cortical morphogenesis" (2021) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America A 2020 view of tension-based cortical morphogenesis(2021) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117 (52), pp. 32868-32879. van Essen, D.C. Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, […]
“‘It’s way more than just writing a prescription’: A qualitative study of preferences for integrated versus non-integrated treatment models among individuals with opioid use disorder” (2021) Addiction Science and Clinical Practice “It’s way more than just writing a prescription”: A qualitative study of preferences for integrated versus non-integrated treatment models among individuals with opioid use […]
Edelmira Rivera was lying on her bed with her husband and 16-month-old son, selecting a movie when she heard a loud bang outside their home in Waco, Texas. Her sister screamed, “Fire!” “I dropped everything and just grabbed my son and his blanket,” said Rivera, 22. “I could not smell anything. I was so shocked […]
Some people are trapped within their own minds, able to think and feel but unable to express themselves because brain injury or disease has damaged their lines of communication with the outside world. As a step toward helping people in such situations communicate, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated […]
Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, schizophrenia and many other neurological and psychiatric conditions have been linked to inflammation in the brain. There’s growing evidence that immune cells and molecules play a key role in normal brain development and function as well. But at the core of the burgeoning field of neuroimmunology lies a mystery: How […]
In addition to a skin rash, many eczema sufferers also experience chronic itching, but sometimes that itching can become torturous. Worse, antihistamines — the standard treatment for itching and allergy — often don’t help. New research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that allergens in the environment often are to blame for episodes […]
“Exercise routine change is associated with prenatal depression scores during the COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant women across the United States” (2021) PLoS ONE Exercise routine change is associated with prenatal depression scores during the COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant women across the United States (2021) PLoS ONE, 15 (12 December), art. no. e0243188, . Gildner, T.E.a b , Laugier, E.J.a c , Thayer, Z.M.a c a Department of […]
“A pilot investigation of emotional regulation difficulties and mindfulness-based strategies in manic and remitted bipolar I disorder and major depressive disorder” (2021) International Journal of Bipolar Disorders A pilot investigation of emotional regulation difficulties and mindfulness-based strategies in manic and remitted bipolar I disorder and major depressive disorder (2021) International Journal of Bipolar Disorders Musket, C.W.a , […]