How deep sleep keeps our brains intact

When you live with dementia, your sleep breaks apart, the nights a strobe-lit blur, the grayed days lost to catnaps. Physicians — and families — have known this for years. But what no one realized, until landmark research at Washington University in 2009 set a series of studies in motion, was that fragmented sleep might […]

Researchers elected to American Society for Clinical Investigation

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, […]

Protein involved in removing Alzheimer’s buildup linked to circadian rhythm

Fractured sleep, daytime sleepiness and other signs of disturbance in one’s circadian rhythm are common complaints of people with Alzheimer’s disease, and the problems only get worse as the disease progresses. But the reason for the link between Alzheimer’s and circadian dysfunction is not well understood. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. […]

Board of Trustees grants faculty appointments, promotions

At the Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees meeting Oct. 4, more than a dozen faculty members were appointed or promoted with tenure or granted tenure, effective Oct. 4 unless otherwise indicated. Appointment with tenure Flora Cassen as associate professor of Jewish, Islamic and Middle Eastern studies and of history in Arts & Sciences; […]

Does a dysfunctional biological clock increase Alzheimer’s risk?

From The San Diego Union-Tribune… Disruption of the sleep-wake cycle is a well-recognized symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, but recent research suggests that a disorganized biological clock may also be a key driver of neurodegenerative disease. An exploration of the circadian rhythm’s role in development of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is among a […]

Body clock disruptions occur years before memory loss in Alzheimer’s

Findings could help ID risk of disease earlier From the WashU Newsroom… People with Alzheimer’s disease are known to have disturbances in their internal body clocks that affect the sleep/wake cycle and may increase risk of developing the disorder. Now, new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that such circadian rhythm […]