January 2010
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Staring, sleepiness, other mental lapses more likely in patients with Alzheimer's
Jan. 14,
2010 -- Cognitive fluctuations, or episodes when the train of thought temporarily is lost, are more likely to occur in older persons who are developing Alzheimer's disease than in their healthy peers, according to scientists at the School of Medicine.
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Drug that modifies gene activity could help some older leukemia patients
Jan. 12,
2010 -- Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia might benefit from a drug that reactivates genes that cancer cells turn off, according to research at the School of Medicine and collaborating institutions. The researchers say the findings support further investigation of the drug, decitabine, as a first-line treatment for these patients, who have limited treatment options.
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December 2009
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Windus named associate dean for medical school education
Dec. 30,
2009 -- David Windus has been named associate dean for medical student education at the School of Medicine. He also is a professor of medicine and assistant medical director of the school's Chromalloy American Kidney Center.
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Study to help children lose weight and maintain weight loss
Dec. 28,
2009 -- Obesity researchers at the School of Medicine are recruiting families with overweight children for a study to help those kids, and their parents, lose weight. The two-year study, called COMPASS (Comprehensive Maintenance Program to Achieve Sustained Success), will involve families with one or more children between the ages of 7 and 11 who are at least 20 percent above their ideal weight.
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Cancer, Alzheimer's less likely to strike in combination
Dec. 23,
2009 -- It may seem a small consolation from either point of view, but a new study has affirmed that patients with cancer are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, and patients with Alzheimer's disease are less likely to get cancer.
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Common genetic factors contribute to alcohol and marijuana use and dependence
Dec. 18,
2009 -- Many of the same genes influence both alcohol and marijuana use as well as dependence on those substances, according to researchers at the School of Medicine. Together, these genes make some people more likely to drink alcohol or use marijuana. As consumption of alcohol or use of marijuana increases, risk of dependency rises.
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Four Washington University professors named AAAS Fellows
Dec. 17,
2009 -- Four Washington University faculty members have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's largest general scientific society. The rank of fellow is the highest honor awarded by the association and is bestowed upon members by their peers.
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Wright named Lourie Professor of Neurosurgery
Dec. 15,
2009 -- Neill Wright, associate professor of neurosurgery and of orthopedic surgery, has been named the Herbert Lourie Professor in Neurosurgery at the School of Medicine. Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and Larry J. Shapiro, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, announced the appointment.
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Brain plaques in healthy individuals linked to increased Alzheimer's risk
Dec. 14,
2009 -- For the first time, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have shown that brain plaques in apparently healthy individuals are associated with increased risk of diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease years later. In two studies published this month in Archives of Neurology, scientists report that volunteers with brain plaques were more likely to have declining scores on annual cognitive tests, to show signs of shrinkage in a key brain area affected by Alzheimer's and to eventually be diagnosed with the disease.
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Moderate weight loss in obese people improves heart function
Dec. 11,
2009 -- Obese patients who lost a moderate amount of weight by eating less and exercising more improved their cardiovascular health, new research at the School of Medicine shows.
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Book demystifies psychiatry for the general public
Dec. 10,
2009 --
Psychiatric disorders are underdiagnosed, poorly treated and highly stigmatized, according to Washington University psychiatrists Charles F. Zorumski, and Eugene H. Rubin, who have written a book to address those problems. The authors will sign copies of their book Friday, Dec. 11, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the School of Medicine Bookstore.
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Heart disease fighter may also help block Alzheimer's
Dec. 9,
2009 -- A receptor that removes cholesterol from the blood also may reduce the formation of brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease, suggest researchers at the School of Medicine.
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Family's inherited condition links prion diseases, Alzheimer's
Dec. 8,
2009 -- A laboratory connection between Alzheimer's disease and brain-wasting diseases such as the human form of mad cow disease has moved into the clinic for what is believed to be the first time, manifesting itself in the brains of patients with a rare inherited disorder, new research shows.
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Patient's gift funds myeloma research at Washington University
Dec. 7,
2009 -- Research into the causes and treatment of multiple myeloma has received a significant boost thanks to a gift to the School of Medicine from Harvey and Linda Saligman of St. Louis.
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HIV-related memory loss linked to Alzheimer's protein
Dec. 7,
2009 -- More than half of HIV patients experience memory problems and other cognitive impairments as they age, and doctors know little about the underlying causes. New research from the School of Medicine suggests HIV-related cognitive deficits share a common link with Alzheimer's-related dementia: low levels of the protein amyloid beta in the spinal fluid.
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Obstetrics/gynecology department receives grant to establish scholars program
Dec. 1,
2009 -- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is one of 10 programs nationwide to receive a $2.4 million grant to establish a scholars program. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant establishes the medical school as a Women's Reproductive Health Research Career Development Center.
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November 2009
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Pancreatic tumors are marked for immune therapy
Nov. 30,
2009 -- Pancreatic tumors can be identified by a readily detectable marker that shows promise as a basis for immune therapy against the disease, according to research at the School of Medicine.
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Alzheimer's research sheds light on potential treatments for urinary tract infections
Nov. 24,
2009 -- Research into Alzheimer's disease seems an unlikely approach to yield a better way to fight urinary tract infections (UTIs), but that's what scientists at the School of Medicine, and elsewhere report. One element links the disparate areas of research: amyloids, which are fibrous, sticky substances.
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Free, confidential HIV testing for World AIDS Day
Nov. 23,
2009 -- In conjunction with World AIDS Day, the School of Medicine's Infectious Diseases Clinic will offer free, confidential HIV testing Monday, Nov. 30 - Thursday, Dec. 3, from 9 am - 4 pm. No appointment is necessary. Participants will receive a rapid HIV test using a finger prick to obtain a drop of blood. Results will be available 20 minutes after testing.
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Against expectations, genetic variation does not alter asthma treatment response
Nov. 19,
2009 -- Studies have suggested that asthma patients with a specific genetic variation might not respond as well to certain treatments as those with a different variation. But a new study in this week's edition of The Lancet shows that patients with either variation respond to combination treatment, and that this treatment should be continued, School of Medicine researchers report.
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Amaizeing: Corn genome decoded
Nov. 19,
2009 --
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| Iowa State |
In recent years, scientists have decoded the DNA of humans and a menagerie of creatures but none with genes as complex as a stalk of corn, the latest genome to be unraveled. A team of scientists led by The Genome Center at the School of Medicine published the completed corn genome in the Nov. 20 journal Science, an accomplishment that will speed efforts to develop better crop varieties to meet the world's growing demands for food, livestock feed and fuel.
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Surgery not linked to memory problems in older patients
Nov. 18,
2009 -- For years, it has been widely assumed that older adults may experience memory loss and other cognitive problems following surgery. But a new study by School of Medicine researchers questions that assumption. In the 575 patients they studied, the investigators did not detect any long-term cognitive declines attributable to surgery.
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Recovery act funds new flu drug discovery center at Washington University
Nov. 16,
2009 -- Scientists at the School of Medicine are investigating a new way to fight the flu. With funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, they will establish a Drug Discovery Center to identify compounds that enhance the body's natural virus-killing mechanisms to overcome the flu.
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Junk food binge alters community of microbes in the gut in less than a day
Nov. 11,
2009 -- Switching from a low-fat, plant-based diet to one high in fat and sugar alters the collection of microbes living in the gut in less than a day, with obesity-linked microbes suddenly thriving, according to new research at the School of Medicine. The study was based on transplants of human intestinal microbes into germ-free mice.
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High-precision radiation therapy improves cervical cancer outcomes
Nov. 10,
2009 -- School of Medicine researhers have shown that highly targeted radiation therapy improves survival and lessens treatment-related complications in cervical cancer patients. The technique, called intensity-modulated radiation therapy, is widely accepted for treating many cancers of the pelvic region, head and neck, and central nervous system, but its for cervical cancer is not as common.
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CDC invests in preventative health care for Hispanics at home and in Latin America
Nov. 5,
2009 -- The Prevention Research Center (PRC) in St. Louis is launching a multinational research project focused on preventing the leading causes of death in Hispanics in the United States and Latin America.
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Stimulus grant establishes 'Facebook for scientists'
Nov. 4,
2009 -- The School of Medicine will be one of seven institutions creating a new national network for sharing information between scientists. A $12.2 million grant from National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) will establish the network, which has been described as "Facebook for scientists."
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October 2009
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Mutation linked to pediatric brain tumor may pave way for targeted treatment
Oct. 29,
2009 -- Researchers at the School of Medicine have linked mutations in a gene to a benign pediatric brain tumor, a finding that will help scientists seek drug treatments that block growth of the tumors, they report in the journal Neurology.
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Lifestyle changes, drug lower type 2 diabetes risk
Oct. 28,
2009 -- Intensive lifestyle changes aimed at modest weight loss reduced the rate of developing type 2 diabetes by 34 percent over 10 years in people at high risk for the disease, researchers at the School of Medcine report online in The Lancet.
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Becker receives American Academy of Ophthalmology's highest award
Oct. 27,
2009 -- Bernard Becker, who headed the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences for more than 30 years, received the American Academy of Ophthalmology's highest honor.
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Meyers named Williamson Chair
Oct. 26,
2009 --
Bryan F. Meyers has been named the Patrick and Joy Williamson Endowed Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the School of Medicine.
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Scientists identify roots of diabetic tissue damage
Oct. 21,
2009 -- Results from comprehensive assessments of diabetes' effects on cell metabolism may aid efforts to reduce diabetic damage to nerves, blood vessels and other tissues, according to researchers at the School of Medicine and elsewhere.
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New treatments improve outlook for pancreatic cancer patients
Oct. 21,
2009 -- A team of surgeons and oncologists at the Siteman Cancer Center at the School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital is aggressively tackling pancreatic cancer — one of the deadliest forms of cancer — and conducting clinical trials of innovative treatment regimens.
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Omega-3 fatty acids don't improve depression in heart patients
Oct. 20,
2009 --
Depression is common in patients with heart disease but antidepressants often aren't effective in these patients. In a new approach, scientists at the School of Medicine gave patients antidepressants plus omega-3 fatty acids, which are known both for their heart benefits and for alleviating depression in some people. However, the combination therapy was no better than antidepressants alone, they report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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M. Kenton King, dean of the medical school for nearly 25 years, 84
Oct. 16,
2009 --
M. Kenton King dean of the Washington University School of Medicine for nearly 25 years, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at his home in University City. He was 84.
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Solnica-Krezel to lead developmental biology department
Oct. 15,
2009 --
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| Solnica-Krezel |
Lilianna Solnica-Krezel has been named head of the Department of Developmental Biology at the School of Medicine. Larry J. Shapiro, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, announced the appointment, effective Jan.1.
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Gene mutation may reveal clues for treating lung diseases
Oct. 15,
2009 -- A genetic mutation found in four children born with multiple abnormalities may provide insight into potential treatments for newborn lung distress and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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DeBaun elected to Institute of Medicine
Oct. 15,
2009 --
Michael R. DeBaun has been elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors medical scientists in the United States can receive. DeBaun was recognized for his major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health.
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Skills tests like 'connect the dots' may be early Alzheimer's indicator
Oct. 13,
2009 -- A study of mental decline in the years prior to diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease suggests that changing the focus of testing may help physicians detect signs of the disease much earlier. School of Medicine researchers have found that visuospatial skills, evaluated with tasks such as connecting the dots or using a guide to build a structure with blocks, begin to deteriorate up to three years prior to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's.
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Researchers discover mechanism that helps humans see in bright and low light
Oct. 13,
2009 --
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| Cells in the retina quickly adjust to darkness by way of an intricate process. |
Ever wonder how your eyes adjust during a blackout? When we go from light to near total darkness, cells in the retina must quickly adjust. Vision scientists at the School of Medicine have identified an intricate process that allows the human eye to quickly adapt to darkness. The same process also allows the eye to function in bright light.
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Scientists encouraged by new mouse model's similarities to human ALS
Oct. 12,
2009 -- A new mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) closely resembles the paralyzing disorder in humans, researchers at the School of Medicine report online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Scans show learning 'sculpts' the brain's connections
Oct. 8,
2009 -- Spontaneous brain activity formerly thought to be "white noise" measurably changes after a person learns a new task, researchers at the School of Medicine and the University of Chieti in Italy have shown. The scientists also report that the degree of change reflects how well subjects have learned to perform the task.
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Milbrandt named head of genetics
Oct. 7,
2009 --
Jeffrey D. Milbrandt has been named head of the Department of Genetics and the James S. McDonnell Professor at the School of Medicine. He brings a strength in basic and translational science to his new position and an appreciation of the expanding role of genetics in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease.
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NIH Director's Pioneer Award to Washington University scientist
Oct. 1,
2009 -- A Washington University scientist has won a prestigious NIH Director's Pioneer Award — one of only 18 given this year — to develop innovative ways to simultaneously monitor the activity of many neurons.
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September 2009
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Vitamin D's role in preventing asthma studied in pregnant women
Sept. 28,
2009 -- A group of pregnant women who have asthma or allergies will get extra vitamin D as part of a study to determine if the vitamin can prevent their children from developing asthma.
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Leading psychiatry researcher Lee Robins dies
Sept. 28,
2009 --
Lee Nelken Robins, professor emeritus of social science in psychiatry at the School of Medicine, died peacefully at her home Sept. 25, 2009, following a long battle against cancer. Robins was a world leader in psychiatric epidemiology research and had worked in the Department of Psychiatry for more than 50 years.
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Sleep loss linked to increase in Alzheimer's plaques
Sept. 24,
2009 -- Chronic sleep deprivation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease makes Alzheimer's brain plaques appear earlier and more often, researchers at the School of Medicine report online this week in Science Express.
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Murray named chief of pediatric anesthesiology
Sept. 1,
2009 --
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| Murray |
David J. Murray has been appointed as chief of the Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology at the School of Medicine. Murray, the Carol B. and Jerome T. Loeb Professor and head of medical simulation at the School of Medicine, also becomes anesthesiologist-in-chief at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
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