Researchers at Charité report significant success in treating severe rheumatoid arthritis with CD19 CAR T cells, reducing disease activity and promoting sustained remission in patients. The treatment targets disease-driving B cells, allowing the immune system to reset and eliminate harmful antibodies.
A digital treatment concept, PRO B, combines close monitoring via an app with on-demand in-person care to alleviate fatigue and improve daily life for patients with metastatic breast cancer. The approach has been shown to reduce exhaustion, improve physical functioning, and decrease hospital visits.
Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin investigated the use of THC to alleviate PTSD-related nightmares. The study found that more than half of participants responded to treatment, with over a third experiencing complete disappearance of nightmares. The medication was also well-tolerated, with moderate side effects reported.
A European research team is developing bacteria that can produce important chemical base materials from sustainable methanol, aiming to replace fossil resources in the chemical industry. The goal is to make chemical production more sustainable without jeopardizing food security.
A Charité study analyzed therapist experiences worldwide to create a profile for successful psychedelic-assisted therapy. Key characteristics include stable environment, support from loved ones, and specific personality traits that contribute to treatment success.
Researchers at Charité develop test to determine circadian rhythm using hair roots, revealing genetic and lifestyle factors influencing internal clock. The new method shows promise for tailoring therapies to individual rhythms, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Sildenafil, an active ingredient in Viagra, shows promising effects in treating Leigh syndrome, a rare genetic disorder causing severe neurological and muscular symptoms. The drug improved muscular strength and neurological symptoms in patients, and also reduced metabolic crises.
A European consortium is developing AI-powered therapy assistants to help doctors adhere to medical guidelines. The GUIDE-AI project aims to reduce the complexity of guideline navigation, particularly for chronic diseases such as heart failure and asthma.
The study found that women in agriculture suffer more from rising temperatures, while simple home modifications such as white-painted roofs and insect screens improved living conditions. The results are also relevant for adapting to climate change in Germany, with a focus on affordable and sustainable measures.
A study found that vaccinating pregnant women increases protection for infants against whooping cough, a highly contagious disease. The research team also showed that whole-cell pertussis vaccines provide longer-lasting protection than acellular vaccines, and recommends vaccination during pregnancy as a double-layered defense.
A research team identified a key function of the intestinal nervous system in controlling the intestinal barrier's composition and stability. The study suggests that the 'gut brain' acts as a central hub for health, immunity, and potentially conditions like allergies, and may be influenced by diet.
Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have developed a method to predict the effects of mutations in yeast by analyzing the proteome. The study reveals that small genetic mutations can have significant impacts on cell growth, especially under altered conditions.
Researchers have deciphered the fly brain's process of filtering out visual information during sleep, creating a 'window' that allows strong stimuli to wake them up. This study may hold parallels for human brain function and could reveal a universal principle of sleep.
Researchers at Charité analyzed the laws of enzyme evolution on a large scale, revealing that certain areas change faster than others. The findings have implications for the development of new antibiotics and other medicines.
Biophysicist Christian Spahn's ERC Advanced Grant project aims to capture the ultra-fast intermediate steps of ribosomes in action. Using a supermicroscope, his team will analyze hundreds of thousands of images to visualize rare, short-lived states of ribosomes at atomic resolution.
A newly developed AI model, crossNN, accurately diagnoses brain tumors in 99.1% of cases and differentiates between over 170 tumor types from all organs with 97.8% accuracy. This technology enables non-invasive diagnostics using cerebrospinal fluid samples, providing a stress-free alternative to traditional biopsy methods.
A large study has found that cholesterol-lowering drugs do not have an antidepressive effect, contradicting previous small studies. The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, involved 161 patients with depression and obesity, who received either statins or a placebo for 12 weeks.
Charité researchers identified a therapeutic target that significantly contributes to halting ongoing inflammatory processes. They found that interleukin-22 and oncostatin M drive inflammation by amplifying the immune response. Targeted treatments may help high-risk patients, but chronic diseases remain complex and difficult to predict.
Researchers found Oropouche virus is massively under-diagnosed in Latin America, with over 1 in 10 people experiencing a prior infection. Climatic conditions, including rain and temperature, significantly influence the virus's spread, posing risks to unborn babies.
A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that a single dose of the Imvanex vaccine provides 84% protection against Mpox for HIV-negative individuals, but offers limited protection for those living with HIV. The study recommends that all at-risk groups, particularly those with HIV, receive two doses of the vaccine to ac...
A study by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the German Rheumatology Research Center identified the Epstein-Barr virus as the trigger for Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). The virus reactivates due to a weakened immune system, leading to an excessive inflammatory response.
Charité has reduced annual CO2 emissions from anesthesia by over 80% since 2018 by switching to more environmentally friendly anesthetics. The hospital's efforts have resulted in significant savings and no medical drawbacks for patients.
A study published in Annals of Neurology found that severe early-life adversity accelerates brain aging and amplifies neurodegenerative processes in women. Researchers analyzed biomarkers, brain scans, and cognitive tests to determine the link between childhood trauma and later dementia risk.
The PEARLDIVER project aims to develop a Europe-wide research infrastructure to accelerate the discovery of effective treatments for depression. By building a shared platform, researchers can quickly assess the safety and efficacy of new and existing medications, allowing clinicians to make informed decisions about treatment options.
A study by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin found that an MRI-first approach to detecting prostate cancer is safe and reliable, with normal MRI findings indicating a low risk of aggressive cancer. The strategy involves regular urological checks instead of biopsies for patients without suspicious findings.
The study found that slow electrical waves during deep sleep strengthen synaptic connections and make the neocortex more receptive to information. This enhances memory formation by creating a state of elevated readiness in the cortex.
Researchers identify biomarker Ki67 that indicates whether treatment with vedolizumab will be successful. The biomarker can help predict which patients are more likely to respond to the form of treatment, allowing for more targeted use and potentially improving patient outcomes.
Researchers from Charité have shown that deep brain stimulation using electrical impulses can accelerate movement and shorten delays in Parkinson's patients. By decoding the intent preceding voluntary movement seconds before action, they discovered that dopamine significantly speeds up this process.
A 23-year-old patient with severe systemic lupus erythematosus achieved complete symptom relief after five injections of teclistamab, a cancer medication. The treatment significantly improved kidney function, blood levels, and reduced inflammation in the skin and joints.
Researchers have identified certain times of the day when cancer cells are most responsive to medication-based treatments, suggesting personalized treatment plans could improve efficacy and reduce side effects. The study used a method called high-throughput deep phenotyping to analyze the circadian rhythms of breast cancer cell lines.
A recent observational study shows that the new treatment significantly improves the health status of school-aged children with cystic fibrosis. The results, published in the European Respiratory Journal, have been a game-changer for most patients.
Researchers identify key proteins and signaling pathways for personalized treatment, enabling early detection of aggressive tumors. The study provides a crucial resource for developing new therapies and tests to guide treatment.
Researchers discovered that fish like Danionella cerebrum use a combination of sound pressure and particle velocity to detect the direction of sounds underwater. This mechanism allows them to locate prey or predators despite the challenges of directional hearing in water.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that one in three people reports symptoms after discontinuing antidepressant treatment. The nocebo effect, where negative expectations contribute to symptoms, is estimated to be responsible for half of these effects.
A study by Charité researchers found that yeast cells can compensate for aneuploidy by exchanging proteins faster. This mechanism could be used to tackle treatment-resistant tumors and fungal infections. The study identified a previously unknown compensation system based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
A Charité study found that taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) simultaneously with cortisone preparations is associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory rheumatic conditions. The study analyzed the bone health of over 1,500 patients and found that PPI use led to significantly lower bone density.
A study by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin found that human neurons communicate in a feed-forward manner, unlike mice where signals flow in loops. This discovery could further the development of artificial neural networks, leading to more efficient and cost-effective AI models.
Researchers have explored the molecular mechanism of action of glucocorticoids, finding that they reprogram immune cell metabolism to activate natural anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The discovery could lead to development of new anti-inflammatory agents with fewer side effects.
A team of researchers used deep brain stimulation to localize disrupted neural pathways in patients with Parkinson's disease, dystonia, OCD, and Tourette's syndrome. The study identified specific brain circuits associated with each disorder, revealing overlapping malfunctions that suggest a complex network of brain dysfunctions.
Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin found that COVID-19 neurological symptoms are caused by inflammation in the body, rather than direct brain infection. The study analyzed brain tissue from 21 deceased patients and found changes in molecular processes in some cells.
Researchers are studying the impact of telemedicine on palliative care in ICUs, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce ICU stays. The EPIC project is a five-year study funded by €6.3 million from the European Commission.
A research project led by Charité aims to better understand the impact of biodiversity loss on zoonosis risks. The team will investigate native forests and degraded reforested areas in Europe and Central America to identify land use changes and species circulation.
Researchers found that Helicobacter pylori infection can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 11-24% in people over 50, potentially due to inflammation and damage to the brain. The study analyzed data from over four million people and considered the time interval between infection and increased risk.
A recent study by researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin highlights the limitations of large language models like ChatGPT in precision medicine. Human experts were found to be more accurate in identifying personalized treatment options for fictitious cancer patients.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that coronavirus vaccines build immune memory in various organs, including the liver, kidneys, and lungs. This local immune response is more effective than circulating antibodies in protecting against infection.
A team of researchers has uncovered a previously unknown compensatory mechanism found in liver disease. Giant cell clusters, formed by immune cells from the bone marrow, take over the filtration function of impaired Kupffer cells. This finding changes the way we think about the role of the immune system in liver fibrosis.
Researchers found that reducing biodiversity harms mosquito species, leading to more resilient species and increased virus prevalence. The study suggests that a decrease in biodiversity can lead to an increase in the spread of viruses carried by mosquitoes.
A systematic review found that antidepressants are equally effective and safe for patients with both depression and physical health issues as those without. The study suggests that treating these patients with antidepressants can improve quality of life and reduce the course of physical disease.
Patients with severe long COVID often struggle with fatigue and exertion intolerance, with recovery rates varying depending on the initial infection's severity. A recent study found that those with ME/CFS experience little to no improvement in symptoms, while some patients in a second group show gradual improvement over time.
Researchers at Charité develop a world's first non-invasive bidirectional brain-computer interface using quantum sensors and temporal interference magnetic stimulation, aiming to treat psychiatric disorders. The system promises improved accuracy and accessibility over previous methods.