Children who consume more ultra-processed foods show stronger brain responses to appetizing foods, linked to increased body fat. Stronger responses in the brain's reward network are associated with greater increases in body fat over one year.
A global team of researchers has launched the largest-ever study of brain function across eight mental illnesses, analyzing over 94,000 brain scans from 27 countries using a shared method. The study aims to identify brain signatures specific to each illness, drive discovery, and inform treatment response.
Researchers found an association between abnormal immature astroglia and lower reasoning ability in older adults with epilepsy. Higher numbers of these cells were associated with poorer fluid intelligence, a skill that declines with age.
A large global study of 15,612 adults found that blood biomarker levels varied across racial and ethnic groups, but the relationship between biomarker levels and brain amyloid was generally consistent. The study's findings support the use of blood-based biomarkers to screen for elevated brain amyloid in preclinical Alzheimer's disease ...
USC researchers are conducting a clinical trial to test whether mindfulness training can enhance the benefits of psilocybin therapy for depression. The study will compare psilocybin therapy with and without an eight-week mindfulness training program, aiming to investigate the synergistic effect of combining the two treatments.
The Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center will continue to support research on air pollution, PFAS, and environmental health effects. The new grant will enable the center to expand its research programs and support junior investigators.
A $3 million gift from Randy Kendrick establishes the Kelly Tarantello Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at USC, supporting research into genetically engineered pig hearts as a potential bridge to heart transplant. The gift aims to save the lives and improve the health of infants with severe congenital heart disease.
The PKD Foundation has awarded a two-year grant to support research by USC Stem Cell faculty member Zhongwei Li, aiming to develop lab-made tissue for autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) research. The project will utilize organoids and assembloids to model the disease and test potential treatments.
Researchers developed a new brain imaging measure, CCSI, to study how blood flow and cellular organization align across the brain. CCSI revealed patterns of blood flow and cellular density that correlated with mitochondrial activity and energy demands, offering new insights into brain function and potential treatments for diseases.
Researchers analyzed fossil data from 7 human ancestors, finding Australopithecus had strong arms but human-like leg pattern, while early Homo had stronger legs and weaker arms, suggesting a major shift in movement and living habits around 2 million years ago. This finding supports the idea that bipedalism evolved gradually, with early...
Researchers at USC developed an algorithmic tool to improve screening of patients for Alzheimer's clinical trials, reducing unnecessary PET scans by over half. The tool uses blood plasma biomarkers to identify patients at risk of Alzheimer's disease, enabling faster and more efficient recruitment for trials like AHEAD 3-45.
The new study, known as SENTINEL, aims to predict both risk factors and protective factors for depression and suicide using patterns in brain activity and behavior. It will track approximately 210 USC students for up to 36 months, using a combination of lab tests, wearable sensors, and smartphone data.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC will investigate PFAS as a risk factor for liver and endometrial cancers. The studies aim to understand the biological mechanisms linking PFAS exposure to cancer risk and identify ways to mitigate that risk.
Researchers found that healthier superficial white matter is associated with stronger language skills, and that gray matter atrophy measures remain the strongest predictors of cognition. However, the relationship between gray matter and cognitive performance depends on superficial white matter health.
Researchers developed a new approach called SHIFTERS that uses focused ultrasound to temporarily 'light up' solid tumors, giving cancer-fighting immune cells a target they can recognize. The technology allows doctors to control where and when treatment switches on, potentially making solid tumors easier to treat.
The open-source image analysis pipeline accurately measures brain tissue changes in animal models, reducing variability among thousands of scans. The tool has the potential to improve early-stage evaluation of new therapies for acute ischemic stroke.
Researchers at USC have developed a genetic tool called the Mechano-Recorder to measure tumor cell softness. This insight can help target hard-to-reach cancer stem-like cells for destruction, potentially improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers have developed a new stretchable catheter that can reveal features of arterial plaque not visible with conventional imaging. The device uses electrical measurements to identify metabolically active plaques, allowing doctors to spot potentially deadly buildup before it causes a heart attack.
The Marcus Foundation has awarded $28.7 million to advance a clinical trial testing a stem cell-based therapy designed to regenerate damaged heart tissue after a heart attack. Researchers aim to develop approaches that could reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
Researchers discovered that depression is associated with a specific area of the hippocampus, independent of Alzheimer's disease risk factors. The study found participants with depression had smaller volumes in the CA23DG region, which plays a crucial role in retrieving memories and distinguishing between similar experiences.
A $3.2 million NIH grant will support a five-year study investigating the role of thymulin, a hormone produced by the thymus, in age-related inflammation and cancer. The research aims to explore whether thymulin can improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes, particularly in older individuals.
The expert panel's report provides guidance for clinicians and policymakers on addressing intimate partner violence among veterans. The recommendations include broader screening for those at risk of experiencing or using intimate partner violence, as well as education and training for healthcare staff to help them recognize signs.
Researchers found two widely used blood tests accurate in detecting Alzheimer’s pathology in participants with Down syndrome. The tests, Lumipulse G p-tau217 and PrecivityAD2, offer an easier path to diagnosis for this high-risk population.
A new grant will support research into how strokes disrupt brain networks controlling the bladder, aiming to identify imaging biomarkers predicting treatment response. Researchers will use advanced brain imaging and non-invasive spinal stimulation to develop a personalized approach for treating bladder problems after stroke.
A large national study found that multiple sclerosis (MS) death rates vary significantly by age, geography, and race. The analysis, led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC, also found that co-occurring conditions, including high blood pressure and cardiac arrest, were linked to increased mortality among people with MS.
Researchers used advanced 3D genome mapping technology to study prostate cancer cells and discovered a new feature of gene control networks that could help fight cancer. The study found that enhancers work cooperatively in 3D networks, with some acting as central hubs that control many genes.
Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC identified a hormone produced by the thymus that keeps inflammation under control. As we age, levels of this hormone decrease, allowing diseases like cancer to progress. Increasing this hormone improved cancer survival and made immunotherapy more effective in older mice.
A subset of cancers, known as microsatellite instability (MSI) and deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) cancers, are more visible to the immune system than others. Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC identified a biological feedback loop that helps activate the immune response against these types of cancer.
A recent study by the Keck School of Medicine found a decline in ADHD medication misuse among US adults, particularly among young adults. The misuse was largely driven by a shortage of ADHD medications, leading to an estimated 71.5% of patients facing difficulty filling their prescriptions.
Charaziak's research aims to better understand how the healthy cochlea processes complex sounds and how that processing changes in hearing loss. The project will investigate two key properties of the cochlea: nonlinearity and dispersion, which shape sound perception.
A USC interdisciplinary team has identified a promising pathway to turn off brain inflammation before it does its damage, increasing the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's. The Norman and Mary Pattiz Foundation funding will support research on novel drug discovery, early detection, and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers mapped the human kidney's developmental axis and engineered synthetic organizer cells to recreate key signals, producing improved lab-grown organoids. These advances enable more reliable models for studying disease and evaluating potential therapies.
The collaboration aims to eliminate barriers to screening and access for medically underserved women, leveraging data science and community-based research to develop targeted solutions. By listening to residents' experiences and challenges, USC and Novartis will create lasting improvements in breast cancer care.
A USC-led team has developed a way to grow and genetically engineer progenitor cells that give rise to macrophages, a type of immune cell promising for cancer immunotherapies. The team successfully expanded these cells in the laboratory and engineered them to target specific cancer markers.
A large USC-led study found that the main genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease may be linked to brain amyloid buildup differently in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white older adults. Hispanic participants generally had lower amyloid levels than non-Hispanic whites with similar characteristics.
Researchers at USC are conducting a clinical trial to determine whether mindfulness meditation training can augment the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental well-being and cognitive function. The study will evaluate the effects of psilocybin within an eight-week mindfulness meditation training program.
The JTMF Foundation has expanded its footprint with a $3.3 million gift to fund three main initiatives: identifying early signs of Alzheimer's in adults with Down syndrome, expanding access to cutting-edge clinical research, and developing best-practice guidelines.
A USC study found subtle but widespread differences in the brain's communication networks in people with bipolar disorder, relating these differences to illness severity and treatment. The research team analyzed brain scans from 449 individuals with bipolar disorder and 510 healthy controls, revealing less densely connected networks an...
Stevie Nicks has made a major gift to establish the Stevie Nicks and Joseph Sugerman, MD, Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology, honoring Dr. Sugerman's impact on patients and the field of ENT. The chair will be held by Michael M. Johns, MD, director of the USC Voice Center.
Researchers developed a new reference model for the human brain using diffusion MRI scans from over 54,000 people. The model provides growth charts for white matter neural pathways, helping identify subtle changes linked to aging, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia risk and other neurological conditions.
Researchers found that 66.6% of gene expression changes are linked to e-cigarette flavor and device type, while only 28.8% relate to vaping frequency or amount. The study suggests that each flavor has unique biological effects.
A USC-led study analyzed insurance claims data from 940 patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer to compare the effectiveness of five tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The results showed alectinib and lorlatinib as promising treatments, offering longer survival times and better treatment duration compared to other options.
Researchers at USC have created complex lab-grown kidney models, known as human synthetic kidney organoids (hSKOs), which can mimic the filtering and urine-collecting functions of a real kidney. The team plans to study how these mini-kidney structures mature over time and test their ability to carry out key kidney functions.
A $10 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences will support research on PFAS health effects and translate discoveries into real-world solutions. The study aims to identify links between PFAS exposure and metabolic conditions, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found three distinct trajectories of cognitive decline: stable, slow and fast decline. Biomarker data showed that participants who declined faster had higher P-tau217 levels and smaller hippocampi.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC and Tempus are creating a system-wide framework to integrate clinical care, clinical trials, and research through AI-powered precision medicine tools. The goal is to enhance patient care and accelerate research and innovation.
A USC-led team is working on a medical device that uses tears to monitor health, starting with dry eye disease. The device aims to provide continuous monitoring and automated medication delivery, improving patient comfort and treatment efficacy.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine have identified a new potential treatment target for AARS2-related cardiomyopathy, a rare and fatal heart muscle disease in infants. By targeting the PCBP1 gene, they aim to restore healthier AARS2 function in heart cells and prevent damage.
Researchers at USC, Caltech, and UC Irvine have developed a two-way brain interface that allows patients to control wearable robotic legs using their thoughts. The system accurately detected brain signals indicating the intent to walk about 92% of the time and restored walking sensations with about 93% accuracy in an early proof-of-con...
A massive genetic study has uncovered six new genes linked to pregnancy sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), in over 10,000 women. The findings point to biological mechanisms behind HG and potential new treatment pathways, with several medications identified as potential targets.