Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified 18 new genes responsible for glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. About 15 percent of patients may be eligible for personalized treatment with existing drugs used in other cancers.
A study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center identifies key molecular pathways leading to late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The research highlights several new potential drug targets, including SV2A and RFN219, which are involved in the processing and trafficking of amyloid precursor protein.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center discovered a new genetic mutation, KCNK3, linked to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare fatal disease. The mutation affects potassium channels in the pulmonary artery and can be reversed with a phospholipase inhibitor.
A study by Columbia Nursing researchers found that automated reporting of immunization data through EHRs increased knowledge about individuals and communities, allowing medical and public health officials to make informed decisions. This led to reduced lag times, improved documentation, and enhanced efficiency in vaccine tracking.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have identified a genetic mutation that causes congenital malformations of the kidney and urinary tract. The findings suggest that DSTYK mutations account for 2.2% of urinary tract defects in humans, providing a new diagnostic category for clinicians to make precise molecular diagnoses.
A new rat brain study reveals that sensory information travels to two places at once: the thalamus and deeper cerebral cortex layers. Signals are relayed from the thalamus to both layer 4 and 5 simultaneously, contradicting decades of dogma.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have found that caspase-2 is a key regulator of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that inhibiting this protein could prevent neuronal damage and cognitive decline associated with the disease.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that children with autism have higher levels of gluten antibodies than those without autism. The researchers also discovered an association between the elevated antibodies and gastrointestinal symptoms in affected children. However, no connection was found to celiac disease.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that nearly 300,000 stroke/TIA survivors develop PTSD symptoms each year, with one in nine experiencing chronic symptoms. The study suggests that PTSD is an under-recognized problem among stroke patients, and that social support is a key protective factor against PTSD.
A recent study published by The Laryngoscope journal found that obesity is associated with sensorineural hearing loss across all frequencies in adolescents, with almost twice the likelihood of unilateral low-frequency hearing loss compared to non-obese teens.
A new web-based intervention, Family-Health Information Management System (Family-HIMS), aims to enhance caregiving management for dementia patients and their Hispanic caregivers. The system will be designed and tested with English- and Spanish-speaking family caregivers to address unique needs and stressors.
OCD researchers discovered a mechanism underlying compulsive behaviors in mice, suggesting potential treatments. The study's findings could lead to novel drug development and direct stimulation techniques, including deep brain stimulation.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a heart attack are relatively common and associated with poor sleep quality. The study found that survivors with PTSD have a doubled risk of having another cardiac event or dying within one to three years.
A new Columbia University nursing study found that women have significantly lower odds of contracting bloodstream or surgical site infections compared to men. The study also showed that the difference in infection rates was less pronounced among younger children and older adults.
A new computational method called viSNE enables scientists to analyze high-dimensional cancer data, revealing distinct cell subpopulations and detecting minimal residual disease. This breakthrough technology has the potential to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment.
A new study links type 1 diabetes to an increased risk of heart disease through the production of the inflammatory protein calprotectin, which fuels the buildup of artery-clogging plaque.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have identified hundreds of metabolic expression changes and potential drug targets to cut off a tumor's fuel supply. The study, published in Nature Biotechnology, provides a comprehensive view of diverse metabolic alterations in cancer, shedding light on how tumors adapt their metaboli...
A recent study from Columbia University Medical Center suggests that high levels of glutamate in the brain may trigger psychosis in individuals at risk for schizophrenia. This finding could lead to the development of a diagnostic tool to identify those at risk and new treatment strategies to prevent or slow disease progression.
African-Americans with a variant of the ABCA7 gene have nearly double the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease compared to those without the variant. The study, led by Columbia University Medical Center, suggests that lipid metabolism may play a more important role in Alzheimer's disease among African-Americans.
Researchers found that a patient-preference, centralized depression care approach significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved health outcomes for heart attack survivors. The study showed that this type of treatment was feasible, effective, and potentially cost-neutral within six months.
A study by Columbia University Medical Center researchers found that depression and cognitive status are independently associated with a more rapid decline in everyday living abilities. The findings suggest providing mental health treatment may slow the loss of independence.
Researchers developed biodegradable nanoparticles that deliver inflammation-resolving drugs to sites of tissue injury, promoting clearance of pathogens or damaged tissue and restoring normal state. The treatment has potential for treating conditions like atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have made significant breakthroughs in treating rare genetic disorders. For one, they demonstrated the effectiveness of deoxypyrimidine monophosphates as a treatment for thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) deficiency, a condition causing devastating neuromuscular diseases. Additionally, studies on...
A study by Columbia University researchers found that selectively activating the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus can reduce anxiety without affecting learning. This suggests that targeting this brain region could be used to treat certain anxiety disorders with minimal cognitive side effects.
Researchers have discovered a critical link between impaired protein digestion in neurons and familial Parkinson's disease. The study identifies LRRK2 mutations as a key contributor to alpha-synuclein accumulation, providing potential avenues for drug treatments or genetic therapies.
A new study reveals that omega-3 fatty acid emulsions can decrease damaged brain tissue by 50 percent or more after an ischemic stroke. The findings suggest these emulsions may be able to reduce long-term neurological and behavioral problems seen in human survivors of neonatal and adult strokes.
Researchers found that white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are equally associated with an Alzheimer's diagnosis as amyloid plaque. WMHs were also predictive of which subjects with mild cognitive impairment would go on to develop Alzheimer's. The study suggests potential ways to prevent Alzheimer's in those with amyloid deposits.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified two opposing behaviors triggered by salt concentrations in mammals, allowing them to avoid high-salt diets. The discovery may lead to the development of taste modulators to control appetite and reduce the effects of excessive sodium intake.
Researchers identified a protein trafficking defect in brain cells that may underlie common non-familial forms of Parkinson's disease. The defect is related to genetic variants in two genes, LRRK2 and RAB7L1, which disrupt protein sorting and lead to the accumulation of protein aggregates.
A new survey of stroke survivors found that those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are less likely to adhere to treatment regimens that reduce the risk of a future stroke. Approximately one in three patients with PTSD had concerns about their medications, leading to increased ambivalence and nonadherence.
Obese individuals are more prone to asthma due to the regulation of airway diameter by leptin. Leptin therapy may provide a new treatment option for body weight-associated asthma, with existing drugs targeting parasympathetic signaling already available.
A study led by Columbia University Medical Center researchers found that an important branch of the immune system mounts a surprisingly robust anti-inflammatory T cell response to prevent atherosclerosis progression. Regulatory T cells suppress pro-inflammatory effector T cells and macrophages, reducing disease severity.
Columbia University researchers have created the first-ever atlas of immune cells in the human body, providing a unique view of T lymphocyte distribution and function. The study found that T cells are highly compartmentalized, with each tissue having its own complement of T cells.
Two novel treatments for retinitis pigmentosa have shown promising results in mouse models, with stem cell grafts improving vision and gene therapy restoring photoreceptor cells. The treatments aim to provide a potentially unlimited supply of cells and offer an alternative to immunosuppression.
Researchers have successfully transferred the nucleus of a healthy egg cell into an egg cell with mutant mitochondrial DNA, effectively eliminating the disease-causing genetic material. The technique has significant implications for preventing mitochondrial disorders, which affect approximately 1 in 10,000 people worldwide.
A meta-analysis of six studies involving nearly 120,000 people found that high perceived stress is associated with a 27% increased risk of incident coronary heart disease. The study suggests that reducing stress may improve heart health in the future, particularly for older individuals.
A new genetic test using microarray analysis has been shown to detect clinically relevant information more effectively than the current standard method of prenatal testing. Microarray also identified additional abnormalities not detected by karyotyping in cases with advanced maternal age or positive screening results.
Drs. Christophe Benoist and Diane Mathis were awarded the 2012 Naomi Berrie Award for their contributions to understanding type 1 diabetes. They elucidated key immunological mechanisms, including T-cell priming and central tolerance, which may lead to prevention or reversal of the disease through immunization.
A recent study published by Columbia University Medical Center has found a surprising genetic link between kidney defects and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The research identified large genomic alterations in 10% of kids born with kidney defects, which are known to cause neurodevelopmental delay or mental illness.
A new study by Columbia University researchers identifies two genetic networks affected in schizophrenia, which also show a connection to autism. The analysis reveals that many genes mutated in schizophrenia are organized into these networks, involved in processes like axon guidance and chromosomal modification.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have developed a groundbreaking mouse model of typhoid fever, enabling the study and creation of more effective vaccines. The mouse model uses toll-like receptors to combat the infection, with promising results in immunizing mice against Salmonella typhi.
A new study found that large hospital ICUs have higher rates of CAUTIs but are less likely to implement prevention policies. Researchers suggest recent federal regulations may refocus attention on CAUTI prevention in US hospitals.
A new study reveals significant variation in the screening and surveillance of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in intensive care units (ICUs), with some hospitals neglecting commonsense medical precautions. The researchers found that only a small percentage of hospitals routinely screen for certain deadly MDROs, such as MRSA and ...
Researchers discover that spinal muscular atrophy results from motor circuit dysfunction, not motor neuron or muscle cell dysfunction. The study identifies a novel molecular pathway and proposes potential therapies involving potassium channel blockers.
Researchers found that high-saturated fat diets increase endothelial lipase levels, associated with atherosclerosis, while omega-3 polyunsaturated fats lower these levels. This discovery may help explain why certain diabetes drugs raise heart risks and provides a new link between diet and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers have discovered dozens of new de novo genetic mutations that play a significant role in schizophrenia development. Many of these mutations were found to affect genes with higher expression during early-to-mid fetal development, highlighting the importance of both gene function and timing in determining risk.
A study by Columbia University ophthalmologists and stem cell researchers found that induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can improve the vision of blind mice, suggesting a potential treatment for macular degeneration. The iPS cells were derived from adult human skin cells and functioned as normal retina cells in the animals' old age.
Common sporadic Parkinson's disease arises from excess alpha-synuclein protein in dopamine neurons, which can be treated with drugs targeting elongated transcript forms. A blood test for alpha-synuclein may serve as a biomarker for the disease.
Dr. Timothy Bestor's research could overturn a 20-year-old theory of carcinogenesis, instead proposing that methylation changes kill incipient cancer cells. The study aims to develop new methods to differentiate between 'driver' and 'passenger' epigenetic events in tumor development.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center discovered that beta cells in type 2 diabetes do not die but de-differentiate under stress, suggesting a potential new approach to treatment. By targeting signaling pathways such as Wnt or Notch, scientists may be able to promote re-differentiation of beta cells.