Scientists at UC San Francisco's Neuroscape Center have developed video game interventions that improve key aspects of cognition in aging adults, including short-term memory, attention and long-term memory. The games use adaptive closed-loop algorithms to challenge players, keeping them engaged while adapting difficulty levels.
Researchers at UCSF have identified six novel molecules that can alleviate pain in mice without causing sedation. These compounds target the alpha2a adrenergic receptor and are from chemically different families, making them promising candidates for further development.
Scientists have designed compounds that activate the 5HT2a receptor, producing antidepressant and antianxiety effects in mice. The compounds' mechanism of action differs from psychedelics like LSD, offering a potential new approach to developing effective antidepressants with fewer side effects.
A mortality prediction model for older adults with dementia can guide discussions about financial resources, treatment preferences, and reduce unnecessary medical interventions. The model considers factors such as age, sex, body mass index, chronic conditions, and ability to perform daily activities.
Researchers found that using race-free creatinine formula helps equalize access for Black and white patients. The study showed that among 350 Black patients, kidney failure was reached at an average 23 months, versus an average 22 months for 122 white patients.
A large-scale international study has identified dozens of gut bacteria associated with multiple sclerosis, revealing potential new mechanisms for disease development and treatment response. The study also found geographical location and participant's disease status as significant factors influencing gut microbiome variations.
Researchers at University of California - San Francisco have developed a new therapy that overcomes cancer cell barriers and marks them for destruction by the immune system. By pulling mutated KRAS protein to the surface, the drug acts as an “eat me” flag, allowing immunotherapy to eliminate all cells bearing this flag.
A new study published in Pediatrics has found that children living in neighborhoods with greater hardships are more likely to use emergency departments. The study used the Pediatric Health Information Systems database and found a positive association between neighborhood Child Opportunity Index (COI) scores and ED visits, indicating th...
A study found melamine and cyanuric acid in nearly all pregnant participants' samples, with higher levels in women of color and those with greater tobacco exposure. Regulatory action is needed to limit exposure to these carcinogenic chemicals.
A study of 641 participants found that midlife and older Hispanic/Latinx adults were more likely to experience prolonged loneliness, with 16% persistently lonely. The researchers suggest that culturally important familism was disrupted by social distancing, and reduced access to transportation and community activities may contribute to...
A long-term study found that older homeless people are at a high risk of dying, with a median age of death of 64.6 years old. The study also found that people who first became homeless at age 50 or later were about 60 percent more likely to die than those who had become homeless earlier in life.
Researchers found that mothers' higher depressive symptoms did not predict increases in children's behavior problems, including those with autism. The study suggests that maternal depression may have a complex impact on caregiving families.
Researchers at UCSF found that eye movements during REM sleep are coordinated with the direction of gaze in the virtual dream world. This suggests that dreams may be a way for the brain to integrate information gathered throughout the day and create a 'perfectly harmonious fake world'.
Researchers identified five new hepatoblastoma tumor signatures that could help predict responses to chemotherapy treatments. The study used single-cell transcriptomic techniques to analyze tumors from infants and children, providing a window into normal development and cancer.
Scientists at UC San Francisco and Gladstone Institutes use CRISPR-based edit to render therapeutic T cells more resilient, overcoming a major factor limiting cancer immunotherapies' success. The discovery may help improve treatment of both solid and liquid tumors.
A study by UCSF found that routine depression screening in primary care increased rates from 40.5% to 88.8%, capturing previously undertreated groups. Screening disparities virtually disappeared for older patients, Black/African Americans, and non-English speakers.
A national study by UC San Francisco found that basic home blood pressure cuffs and smartphone-connected devices have no significant difference in improving blood pressure control. After six months, patients who used basic cuffs had a lower blood pressure reduction compared to those using Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have discovered how to shift damaged brain cells from a diseased state into a healthy one using CRISPR technology. The study found that reprogramming microglia cells can help remove protein plaques and protect synapses, potentially treating Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
Researchers developed a blood test tool that predicts patient outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI), with 87% accuracy for predicting death and 86% for predicting severe disability. The tests are diagnostic and prognostic, easy to administer, swift, and inexpensive.
A new study found that over half of adult cancer survivors experience significant hearing problems after chemotherapy treatment. The researchers also discovered that platinum and taxane drugs, commonly used to treat the majority of cancers, are linked to high rates of hearing loss and tinnitus.
Researchers found that individuals staying in hotels received significantly reduced acute care services, including emergency visits and hospitalizations. The study suggests that these programs can have a positive impact beyond just reducing COVID-19 cases among vulnerable populations.
A new study by University of California - San Francisco-led researchers found that tweens who spend more time on screens have a higher likelihood of developing disruptive behavior disorders. Social media was most likely to be linked to conduct disorder, while other forms of screen use were associated with oppositional defiant disorder....
Women with conditions like MS, migraine, and epilepsy face increased unplanned pregnancy due to treatment effects on hormonal contraceptives. Teratogenic drugs used for neurological treatments may be restricted or unavailable during pregnancy.
Residents in predominantly Black communities are more likely to live near a hospital with a certified stroke center but face lower chances of receiving optimal treatment. The study also reveals significant disparities in access to stroke centers based on income and geographic location.
A new study led by UCSF found that routine screening for and removal of precancerous anal lesions can significantly reduce the risk of anal cancer. The study, known as ANCHOR Study, showed a 57% reduction in anal cancer among people with HIV who underwent treatment for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL).
A new study published in JAMA found that digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) may reduce the chance of an advanced cancer diagnosis for women with the densest breasts and highest risk, but not all women. DBT had additional advantages for women with specific risk profiles, including a higher rate of detection of small invasive breast canc...
A new study shows that hospice patients with dementia receive excellent care and have their anxiety and sadness managed more often than those without dementia. However, the Medicare hospice model's limitations can lead to gaps in care, leaving patients with dementia at risk of disenrollment.
African Americans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to experience flare-ups due to inadequate sleep, which may boost their risk by up to 95%. The study, published on June 6, 2022, suggests that poor sleep quality may partially explain why African American patients tend to fare worse than white patients. ...
A recent study at UC San Francisco discovered that fragmented tau protein in diseased neurons could be a new target for existing drugs, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's. The researchers found that measuring the fragments in cerebrospinal fluid may help distinguish between different forms of dementia.
A study by researchers at UCSF found that e-cigarette use costs the US $15 billion annually in healthcare expenditures, with each user paying around $2,000 extra per year compared to non-users. The study, published in Tobacco Control, highlights the growing concern over health care costs associated with e-cigarette use.
A national study of over 170 pregnant women found rising exposure to potentially harmful chemicals from plastics and pesticides. Latinas had higher levels of parabens, phthalates, and bisphenols, which may be linked to increased risk during fetal development.
A newly discovered brain circuit facilitates focusing attention on salient features in the environment by heightening activity in specific microcircuits of the hippocampus. This circuit may play a role in executive functions and cognitive issues like dementia, ADHD, and psychiatric disorders.
A new study by UCSF and UCLA finds that nearly half of US OB-GYN residency programs may lack abortion training if Roe v. Wade is overturned, posing significant risks for patient care. The researchers estimate that 44.8% of programs are in states where abortion will be banned, while 43.9% of residents have received training in these sta...
A recent study published in Neuro-Oncology found that genomic profiling led to more aggressive patient management resulting in improved clinical outcomes compared to traditional biologically matched historical cohorts.
A cross-racial study of 1.87 million US veterans found significant differences in dementia incidence across five racial groups, with Hispanic and Black veterans at highest risk. Rates were significantly higher for Hispanics (99%) and Blacks (55%), while Asian veterans showed a 24% increase compared to whites.
A new study found that people with psychiatric conditions, especially those over 65, have a higher risk of breakthrough COVID. The researchers tracked data from over 250,000 VA patients and found increased risks for breakthrough infections among those with substance abuse, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, and...
A new UC San Francisco study found that nearly half of young adults had mental health symptoms during the pandemic, with many unable to access therapy. The study highlights the importance of addressing barriers to care, including cost, stigma, and confidentiality concerns.
A new study by UC San Francisco and Imperial College London found that psilocybin therapy reduces connections within brain areas tightly connected in depression, while increasing connections to other regions. This leads to improved depressive symptoms and better cognitive functioning in participants.
A study reveals that Alzheimer's patients experience lethargy due to the degeneration of neurons that keep them awake, not a lack of sleep. Researchers developed a hypothesis that these patients have trouble staying awake and are testing a treatment approach to shut down the system keeping them awake.
A new study found that follow-up care after an asthma-related emergency department (ED) visit can help prevent future ED visits for children. Patients who received follow-up care within two weeks of their ED visit were 12% less likely to return to the ED for asthma within 60 days and 13% less likely to revisit for asthma in the next year.
A new study found that excessive daytime napping among seniors is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. After a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's, daytime napping duration triples, suggesting that the brain's wake-promoting neurons may be affected by dementia pathology.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified five genes that enable efficient sleep, contrasting with current thinking that lack of sleep accelerates neurodegeneration. These genes may confer protections against neurological disease and improve sleep quality, paving the way for new treatments.
A new study led by UC San Francisco reveals that 87% of seniors with dementia would stop at least one medication if their doctor said it was possible. Polypharmacy contributes to challenges with adherence and adverse interactions, but most patients are willing to reduce their medications.
A study found that an eight-week mindfulness-based program during pregnancy reduced the risk of health problems in offspring, as measured by autonomic nervous system responses. Infants whose mothers underwent the program had a faster cardiovascular recovery from stressful interactions and more self-soothing behavior.
Researchers at UCSF develop a new cancer treatment that targets RAS-mutated tumors by exploiting their high levels of ferrous iron. The treatment, TRX-cobimetinib, is more effective and tolerable than current treatments like cobimetinib, which can cause serious side effects in normal tissues.
A new study has found that tubal ligation is no more effective than an intrauterine device (IUD) in preventing pregnancies. The six-year analysis of Medi-Cal claims data showed that hormonal IUDs were more effective, while copper IUDs were as effective as tubal ligation in preventing pregnancies.
Researchers at University of California San Francisco have catalogued over 40 previously unknown cell types in the human brain's blood vessels. These findings connect hemorrhagic stroke with novel immune cells, offering new targets for therapies.
Researchers found elevated protein levels and unexpected antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with post-COVID cognitive symptoms, suggesting inflammation and a systemic response. The study suggests an activated immune system may be the cause of brain fog, a common after-effect of COVID-19.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a new potential drug target, BRD2, which regulates the ACE2 receptor, a key entry point for SARS-CoV-2. Blocking production of BRD2 prevents virus from infecting various human cell types.
A new study by the University of California - San Francisco found an association between increased drinking and hospital visits for atrial fibrillation in a large population. The study linked acute alcohol consumption with a higher risk of new-onset AF in previously undiagnosed individuals.