The OHSU Doernbecher team is conducting a second phase of a landmark clinical trial to assess the safety and preliminary effectiveness of purified human neural stem cells as a potential treatment for infantile or late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, a rare and currently fatal neurodegenerative disorder. The trial aims to eval...
A new study published in the journal Pain found that yoga exercises can effectively counteract fibromyalgia symptoms, including pain, fatigue, stiffness, and depression. The research involved 53 female participants who underwent an eight-week yoga program, resulting in clinically significant improvements in their conditions.
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals a new strategy for protecting newborns against HIV by boosting their immune system. By educating part of the baby's immune system within the first few hours of birth, researchers hope to limit the levels of infection and extend lives.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University discovered that multipolar mitosis, a form of cell division typically associated with cancer, can produce diverse and viable cells capable of protecting the liver from injury. This process may reveal why some individuals are more susceptible to liver diseases.
Research at OHSU's Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute suggests that G-CSF, a hormone stimulating stem cell growth, can reactivate human cytomegalovirus in bone marrow recipients, increasing their risk of infection. The study highlights the need for factoring in the risks associated with G-CSF use during transplants.
A multi-center team of scientists from OHSU is part of the prestigious Beta Cell Biology Consortium, aiming to develop a cell-based therapy for insulin delivery in type 1 diabetes patients. The researchers hope to produce abundant quantities of functional human insulin-producing beta cells that can be used for transplantation.
Researchers at OHSU and Washington University use functional MRI to examine the brain at rest, revealing a 'maturation index' that can determine brain development. This technology has clinical applications for assessing childhood development, diagnosing ADHD and autism, and potentially improving treatment outcomes.
A study suggests that current treatment theories need to be expanded to account for a more dynamic quitting process. Successful quitters can achieve abstinence despite periods of smoking before the end of treatment. Continued cessation treatments without interruption may increase 'real-world' quit rates for motivated smokers.
The GRB7 gene is found to drive an aggressive form of breast cancer and acts independently of the HER-2 gene. Isolating its role could help fine-tune treatment and enable accurate prognoses.
A study of African-American women in Portland, Ore. reveals that racism and the expectation to be a 'strong black woman' are significant obstacles to depression care. The researchers recommend that health providers better understand how racism affects patient experiences.
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry use ATP-driven bioluminescence to assess children's oral bacteria and plaque, linking it to caries risk. The study finds a strong statistical association between ATP measurements and bacterial numbers in saliva and plaque specimens.
A study by OHSU Emergency Department found that Oregon's law prohibiting the sale of pseudoephedrine products led to a significant decrease in methamphetamine-related emergency room visits. The number of such visits dropped by 35% over a one-year period, from an average of 18 per week to 11.3.
Researchers will screen thousands of drug candidates for therapeutic benefits in mice, zebra fish, and human cell lines. The goal is to find compounds that can delay or prevent bone marrow failure and cancer in Fanconi anemia patients.
A recent study by the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute found that up to 49% of physicians interpreting screening mammograms could benefit from additional training. The study identified criteria for low-performance measures, targeting ranges of accuracy and potential overuse of tests.
Researchers at OHSU have developed a blood test that can identify individuals at risk of heart attacks, including those with normal cholesterol levels. The test measures gamma-prime fibrinogen and has been shown to be effective in predicting coronary artery disease.
A recent study by OHSU researchers explains how cytomegalovirus (CMV) can overcome the immune system's defenses to re-infect individuals. The virus is able to evade a key portion of the immune system called CD8+ T cells, allowing it to re-infect despite a strong and long-lasting immune response.
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry have discovered that inflammation boosts the production of a protein involved in pain signaling, which could lead to new treatments for craniofacial pain conditions. The findings provide a crucial understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying trigeminal pain.
A new NIH-funded clinical trial has found that ethosuximide is the most effective treatment for childhood absence epilepsy, with no intolerable side effects. The study enrolled 453 children and showed that ethosuximide and valproic acid were significantly more effective than lamotrigine in controlling seizures.
A research team at Oregon Health & Science University has discovered that nitric oxide is a powerful regulator of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule involved in the development and function of the nervous system. This finding could play a significant role in preventing and treating high blood pressure.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that women taking estrogen plus progestin hormone replacement therapy for 10 or more years have a 50% increased risk of developing lung cancer compared to non-users. The study also suggests that duration of use is associated with an advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis.
Researchers at OHSU have discovered a mechanism that detects and destroys faulty G-protein coupled receptors, which can cause disease. The discovery increases understanding of how these receptors work and will lead to better therapeutic development.
A new study by Oregon Health & Science University found that up to 76% of participants experienced significant improvement in quality of life following endoscopic sinus surgery. The study included 302 adults with chronic rhinosinusitis and was funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
A new national survey of children's health reveals significant gaps in insurance coverage, with over 6.7 million uninsured kids and nearly 1/4 insured kids lacking adequate care. Obesity rates have increased, affecting 10 million youths ages 10-17.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that low-income children who lack continuity with a regular health care provider are significantly more likely to have unmet health care needs. The study found that 79% of children without a usual source of care had an unmet need compared to 45% who reported having a usual source of care.
Researchers at OHSU Knight Cancer Institute have found a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy given before prostate removal to be safe and potentially reduce cancer recurrence rates. The treatment regimen resulted in improved outcomes, with clean cancer margins and undetectable PSA levels in patients.
A recent study published by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that uvopalatopharyngoplasty surgery can effectively treat certain patients with sleep apnea. The procedure is particularly effective for young patients with normal to mildly obese body mass indexes and moderate breathing stoppages per hour.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that family members of loved ones who received physician-assisted suicide did not experience higher levels of depression and grief compared to those whose loved ones died without it. In fact, these families reported feeling more prepared for and accepting of their loved one's death.
Three medications effective in reducing breast cancer risk also have serious side effects, according to a new study. Tamoxifen, raloxifene, and tibolone reduce invasive breast cancer incidence but vary in their adverse effect profiles.
OHSU researchers develop gene therapy to prevent inherited diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases by transferring healthy mitochondria into eggs. The breakthrough could help break the chain of maternally-based diseases passed from generation to generation.
Researchers have identified a possible method for eradicating HIV infection by targeting two subsets of memory T-cells where the virus persists. The approach involves combining medications that prevent viral replication with drugs that stop infected cells from dividing.
The American Pain Society has issued a new clinical practice guideline for low back pain, recommending noninvasive treatments over interventional procedures and shared decision making. The guideline provides eight recommendations to help determine the best way to treat patients with persistent back pain.
Researchers use MRI to identify brain regions that activate while at rest, potentially leading to new diagnostic tools for ADHD and other mental health disorders. By analyzing brain activity in typically developing subjects versus those with disorders, the team aims to pinpoint distinct functional differences.
The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is evaluating the effectiveness of the Calypso system in delivering precise radiation therapy to head and neck cancer patients. The system uses electromagnetic transponders implanted in a customized mouth guard to monitor patient movement and improve treatment accuracy.
The PNWRCE will focus on identifying potential therapeutic targets for infectious diseases, including those caused by pathogens categorized as A, B and C. Researchers will study defects in the immune system caused by aging and disease-host interactions through genomics and genetic analyses.
A new study by OHSU School of Dentistry found that patients with self-ligating orthodontic brackets retained significantly fewer oral bacteria in plaque compared to those with elastomeric brackets. The researchers also developed a rapid and reliable method for quantifying oral bacteria using ATP-driven bioluminescence.
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that patients requesting physician-assisted death cite concerns about future suffering as a leading motivator. The study surveyed 56 patients and ranked factors influencing their requests, highlighting the importance of symptom control and patient sense of control.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University's Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute have developed a vaccine that targets HIV in its early stages of infection. The vaccine, which involves creating resistance by programming the immune system to recognize HIV, showed protection in one-third of subjects in animal studies.
The new guideline provides recommendations for clinicians on how to safely prescribe potent opioid pain medications for patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Key findings include the importance of careful patient selection, monitoring, and ongoing assessment to minimize risks of abuse and addiction.
Physicians should avoid routine scans for low-back pain unless a significant underlying condition is identified. Regular use of radiography, MRI or CT scans does not improve patient outcomes and may increase medical costs.
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry have discovered a novel function of Nerve Growth Factor in the development of the trigeminal nerve, which provides signaling pathways for periodontal and dental pain. The study has broad implications for trigeminal nerve regeneration and may lead to new treatments for various neuropathic and infl...
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry discovered a molecule, BDNF, that plays a critical role in the development and regulation of blood pressure. The finding may contribute to the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and high blood pressure.
A three-year study involving over 3,400 chronically ill seniors found that deaths among patients in a proactive care management program were significantly lower than those in the control group. Hospitalizations were also slightly lower for patients in the intervention group, with a notable benefit for those with diabetes.
Researchers have discovered an experimental drug that successfully blocks an enzyme causing certain bone marrow cancers. The oral drug, CYT387, was tested in mice and human cells, blocking the growth of myeloproliferative disorders and normalizing blood counts.
Researchers have discovered that simultaneous inhibition of BCR-ABL and KIT proteins is crucial for suppressing leukemia cell growth. This finding may lead to the development of novel drugs targeting multidrug resistant mutants of BCR-ABL, as well as new treatment strategies for CML stem cells.
Researchers found that patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) respond differently to medications depending on their unique genetic makeup. The study suggests that developing individualized treatment plans tailored to the specific mutations in each tumor could improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the analysis of Sutent'...
A new study by the Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center finds that patients are more likely to use interactive health IT systems when they perceive a real health benefit and receive tailored feedback. The most effective disease self-management systems provide a complete feedback loop with active participation from physicians, current ...
A new study finds that millions of children from low- to middle-income families are uninsured, even with one parent having private health insurance. The study highlights the vulnerabilities of these children and the unaffordability of healthcare for many families.
A $4 million NIH-funded project led by OHSU aims to discover biologically active molecules from bacteria associated with marine mollusks in the Philippines. The project will catalog and preserve over 10,000 mollusk species, targeting potential central nervous system, cancer, and antimicrobial drugs.
Researchers at OHSU Cancer Institute discovered that combining stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with immunotherapy significantly increases the efficacy of treating lung cancer. The study found that SBRT helped to activate more 'killer' immune cells, leading to better tumor clearance.
A new study published in JAMA found that black Americans have a higher occurrence of colon polyps compared to white patients. The research suggests that black men and women are at greater risk for serious polyps, emphasizing the importance of regular screening among this demographic.