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University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus


CU researchers describe tools to better understand CaMKII, a protein involved in brain and heart disease

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have developed three types of drug inhibitors that can help investigate CaMKII's role in brain diseases such as Alzheimer's. These tools provide a detailed first assessment of the protein's functions in any given system, making it accessible to a wide range of scientists.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalCell Reports·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 22, 2024

Therapy using intense light and chronological time can benefit heart

A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus suggests that managing circadian rhythms through intense light and chronologically timed therapy can help prevent or treat various circulatory system conditions, including heart disease. The research found that intense light stabilizes the PER2 gene and increases level...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalCirculation Research·TypeObservational study·DateMar 14, 2024

How a common food ingredient can take a wrong turn, leading to arthritis

Researchers have identified how bacteria in the digestive system break down tryptophan into an inflammatory chemical that primes the immune system towards arthritis. A Mediterranean diet rich in plant-based fibers and lean meats may tip the balance towards anti-inflammatory pathways, while a Western diet may exacerbate inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2024

Sensory nerves appear to drive head and neck cancer growth

A study published in the journal Med found that sensory nerves accelerate tumor growth by suppressing specific immune cells within the tumor microenvironment. Blocking nerve activity with FDA-approved drugs like botox or gabapentin can stop cancer progression for about six weeks, and may have synergistic effects with radiation treatment.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalMed·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 28, 2024

Researchers say media focus on vaccine hesitancy distorts reality

A recent poll found 88% of adults have robust confidence in childhood vaccines. Meanwhile, vaccination coverage for children remains high and stable, with 93% of kindergarten students receiving state-required vaccines. The authors argue that constant focus on vaccine hesitancy can distort reality and drive a false narrative.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeNews article·DateFeb 5, 2024

Studying the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis in young adults

A study published in ScienceDirect reviews the overlap between cannabis use and psychosis, highlighting the potential risks of cannabis on neurobiology. The study suggests that cannabis can exacerbate psychosis symptoms and impact motivation and attention, but also notes some potential benefits of cannabis use for social functioning.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalPsychiatric Clinics of North America·DateJan 23, 2024

Palliative telecare significantly improves quality of life for those with chronic illnesses, and results last for months

Researchers found that a team intervention provided by phone leads to persistent improvements in depression, anxiety, and quality of life for people managing chronic illnesses. The program demonstrated early, persistent, and clinically meaningful improvements in adults with COPD, HF, or ILD.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateJan 16, 2024

The Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine highlighted as a leader in precision medicine in research and clinical care

The Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine has hit a major milestone of returning clinical genetic results to over 30,000 patients, making it a leader in providing personalized patient care. The center is also studying pharmacogenomics and providing results to guide drug selection and dosing.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe American Journal of Human Genetics·DateJan 4, 2024

Older adults with newly diagnosed migraine disorder three times more likely to have motor vehicle crash

A new study found that older drivers with newly diagnosed migraines are three times more likely to experience a motor vehicle crash, while those with previous diagnoses are not at increased risk. Researchers also explored the relationship between migraine medications and driving habits, but found no significant impact.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJan 3, 2024

Study provides new insight into low social determinants of health screening rates

Researchers found that less than two percent of patients in Medicaid and commercially insured plans received Z-codes to document Social Determinants of Health. The study highlights the need for improved tracking and documentation of SDOH in healthcare settings, with recommendations for policy changes and provider education.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalHealth Affairs Scholar·DateDec 19, 2023

University of Colorado Department of Medicine cardiologist lands $7 million funding award for nationwide study on improving heart-failure treatment

A nationwide study led by University of Colorado cardiologist Larry Allen will examine the effectiveness of electronic tools in improving heart-failure treatment. The five-year study will involve 2,000 patients and aim to address underutilization of treatments for this common chronic disease.

New interactive evidence-based mapping tool gives policymakers more insight into highly concentrated cannabis products

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have developed an evidence-based interactive mapping tool to assist policymakers in regulating cannabis products. The tool includes 452 studies on high-concentration THC exposure and health outcomes, providing a public health resource for informed legislation.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateNov 8, 2023

Hundreds of clinics may be guilty of false or misleading claims in ketamine advertising

Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus and Johns Hopkins University found that hundreds of ketamine clinics make false or misleading statements about their treatments. The study highlights the need for accurate and balanced information about potential risks and benefits of these therapies, especially given the high financial costs i...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 7, 2023

Research shows new documentation tool could help optimize seizure treatments in patients with epilepsy

A new electronic health record documentation tool has been shown to improve the accuracy and completeness of clinical documentation for patients undergoing treatment for epilepsy. This tool enables medical providers to identify patients who are failing treatments earlier, allowing for rapid optimization of positive outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNeurology Clinical Practice·DateOct 19, 2023

What drives obesity - diets high in fat? Carbohydrates? Actually, it’s everything – and fructose is at the center

A new study led by Richard Johnson, MD, suggests that fructose is the key driver of obesity, bringing together long-incompatible theories on dietary causes. Fructose lowers active energy in the body, triggering hunger and food intake, and fatty foods become the major source of calories driving weight gain.

CU School of Medicine researchers find potential target for prompting fat cells to expend energy

A CU School of Medicine research team has identified histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11) as a potential target for treating obesity and metabolic disease. Inhibiting HDAC11 stimulates the expression of uncoupling protein 1, inducing fat cells to expend energy and potentially overcoming catecholamine resistance.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

New study provides evidence for more effective brain-based treatment of chronic back pain

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that reattribution of pain to mind or brain processes can lead to significant reductions in chronic back pain intensity. Participants who received pain reprocessing therapy reported being pain-free or nearly so after treatment, compared to those receiving placebo controls.

A fitness tracker for brain health: How a headband can identify early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in your sleep

Researchers developed a digital biomarker that detects early signs of Alzheimer's disease using EEG headbands, identifying abnormal levels of proteins in sleep patterns. The study found measurable problems with memory reactivation in 205 aging adults, paving the way for affordable devices to monitor brain health.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAlzheimers Disease & Dementia·DateAug 23, 2023

New research shines light on how COVID-19 vaccination reduces severity and mortality after breakthrough infections

A large study found that fully vaccinated individuals have lower concentrations of inflammatory markers than unvaccinated participants after symptomatic COVID-19 infection. This suggests that vaccination significantly reduces morbidity and mortality by reducing elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·DateAug 7, 2023

Scientists discover mechanisms that could explain high risk of complications from lung infections in Down syndrome

Researchers have discovered two major mechanisms that contribute to the high risk of complications from lung infections in individuals with Down syndrome: poor ciliary function, which impairs the respiratory tract's ability to clear mucus and viral particles, and immune hyper-reactivity, which leads to an overactive immune response. Th...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

The largest study of its kind shows a need for improvement in esophageal cancer screenings

A large international database analysis found nearly a quarter of esophageal adenocarcinoma patients had normal endoscopies but were still diagnosed within a year. The study suggests using high-quality equipment, rigorous sampling protocols, and future research on biomarker panels to improve screening effectiveness.

Scientists reveal the harmful impacts of immune hyperactivity in Down syndrome and how to normalize it by repurposing existing drugs

Research reveals chronic immune dysregulation in Down syndrome, with high interferon activity linked to autoinflammation and metabolic changes. Repurposing JAK inhibitors shows therapeutic benefits in reducing inflammation without suppressing the immune system.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 17, 2023