Scientists know surprisingly little about the common sensation of itching. But in a recent study of mice, researchers identified specific nerve cells that pass along an itch signal to the brain. And these cells appear to be independent of the pathway for pain. WUSTL anesthesiology professor and co-author Zhou-Feng Chen comments on the study that was published in Science Express.

References:

1. Aug. 6, 2009 — Scientists Identify 'Itchy' Neurons In Mice in the NPR.org

WUSTL researchers led by Michael Crowder and Lori Anderson have studied a worm that can survive after nearly a day in a low oxygen environment.

References:

1. Feb. 3, 2009 — In a Worm, a Mutation to Survive in Low Oxygen in the The New York Times

Worms that can survive with almost no oxygen are teaching scientists how to rescue oxygen-starved cells in humans who suffer a heart attack or stroke, said WUSTL medical researcher Michael Crowder, whose study appears in Science.

References:

1. Jan. 29, 2009 — Lowly worm offers new clues on stroke, heart drugs in the Reuters

and 3 others.

The horrifying experience of anesthesia awareness happens to between 20,000 and 40,000 Americans every year. A WUSTL study in the New England Journal of Medicine led by WUSTL anesthesiology professor Michael Avidan is raising questions about a monitor used by about 60 percent of U.S. operating rooms in an effort to prevent these frightening cases.

References:

1. March 13, 2008 — New Study Raises Questions on Anesthesia Monitoring System in the The Washington Post

and 1 others.

Article on anesthesia awareness.
Patients say they wake up during surgery, unable to move or scream.
Some experts have said special brain-wave monitors were the best way to prevent anesthesia awareness. Now, in a big setback for efforts to prevent it, the first large, independent test of the monitors shows they are no better than older technology.
WUSTL medical school researchers led by anesthesiology professor Michael Avidan comments.
The study was published in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

References:

1. March 12, 2008 — Monitors Don't Stop Patients From Waking in the Associated Press

and 138 others.

Anesthesia can be harmful to the developing brain, studies on animals suggest, raising concerns about potential risks in putting young children under for surgery.
The study published by FDA scientists this month in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia.
"These findings have potentially important public health implications, and pose a therapeutic dilemma for physicians," said WUSTL psychiatry professor John Olney.

References:

1. March 29, 2007 — Potential anesthesia risk for children has government worried in the Associated Press

and 65 others.

WUSTL researchers studying mice said they have found key factors in the body that could lead to making better pain-reducing drugs.
WUSTL scientist Robert Gereau led the team that studied mice that were missing a specific potassium gene that regulates pain messages sent from the spinal cord to the brain.
The research advances a previous Harvard University study and will be published in the journal Neuron.

References:

1. April 5, 2006 — Mice offer insight into new pain drugs in the Associated Press

and 36 others.