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University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio


A keto diet might benefit females more than males, a new UT Health San Antonio study suggests

A keto diet may have different effects on males and females, with estrogen found to promote protection against adverse effects such as cellular senescence. The study found that male mice on a keto diet showed increased markers of oxidative stress and cellular senescence, but these effects were reversed by estrogen treatment.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2025

Neuronal imaging system shows sensory activity in real time, UT Health San Antonio-led study finds

Researchers create breakthrough imaging system that shows sensory activity in real time, enabling them to distinguish between different sensations. The technique uses a genetically encoded voltage sensor to observe electrical signals from neurons and has major implications for treating chronic pain and sensory disorders.

Be Well Texas at UT Health San Antonio to lead major statewide expansion of opioid use disorder and recovery services

The Be Well Texas initiative, led by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, will expand access to opioid use disorder treatment services and recovery support across rural and urban communities. This major statewide expansion aims to reduce overdose deaths and build a lasting recovery infrastructure.

CPRIT awards UT Health San Antonio $3.4 million to target drug-resistant cancers, raise HPV vaccination rates

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is targeting hard-to-treat cancers and boosting HPV vaccination rates with a $3.4 million funding from CPRIT. The institution will expand its core facilities laboratories to increase researchers' ability to identify therapeutic targets and develop new cancer technologies.

Major discovery by UT Health San Antonio scientists sheds light on cancer drug resistance

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have made a major discovery in understanding cancer drug resistance, specifically in BRCA1-deficient cancers treated with PARP inhibitors. The study reveals that problems in the CST complex can cause resistance to these drugs, opening doors to new therapies and personalized treatments.

Stress can lead to Alzheimer’s disease in women who are post-menopausal, UT Health San Antonio study finds

Researchers found that post-menopausal women with high midlife cortisol levels have increased amyloid deposition and are at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study also highlights the importance of identifying early risk factors in women, particularly those who experience menopause.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2025

Too much sleep can hurt cognitive performance, especially for those with depression, UT Health San Antonio study finds

Long sleep duration is associated with poorer global cognition and specific cognitive abilities like memory, visuospatial skills and executive functions. This association is strongest in people with depressive symptoms, regardless of antidepressant usage.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 14, 2025

Aging reimagined: UT Health San Antonio study shifts focus from inevitable decline to optimizing resilience

Researchers discovered that individuals with robust immune resilience at midlife can gain a 15.5-year survival advantage due to their ability to counter disease drivers and maintain healthy aging. The study highlights the importance of salutogenesis, or promoting health and well-being from birth to approximately age 70.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAging Cell·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 23, 2025

UT Health San Antonio-led discovery means IV medication could be taken orally for range of cancer, Alzheimer’s treatments

A UT Health San Antonio-led discovery could redefine drug discovery by turning IV medications into orally administered treatments for brain cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other complex conditions. The new strategy uses a protein receptor called CD36 to efficiently deliver large molecules into cells.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2025

New research finds novel drug target for acute myeloid leukemia, bringing hope for cancer patients

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have identified a novel drug target for acute myeloid leukemia, which showed significant delays in disease progression and improved survival rates. The protein paraspeckle component 1 (PSPC1) plays a crucial role in the disease, and targeting it may offer new treatment options for AML patients.

UT Health San Antonio neurologists among first to treat patients with deep brain stimulation that adapts to patients’ symptoms

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio are among the first to use adaptive deep brain stimulation technology that adjusts treatment based on a patient's symptoms. This innovative approach offers improved therapy and symptom optimization for patients with Parkinson's disease, dystonia, epilepsy, and essential tremor conditions.

UT Health San Antonio-led research discovers a way to slow or block recurrence of glioblastoma

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have discovered a way to delay or even block recurrence of the deadliest brain cancer after radiation by targeting senescent cells with experimental 'senolytic' drugs. This approach shows promise in preventing tumor growth and improving patient survival.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2025

UT Health San Antonio develops drug found to more than double survival time for glioblastoma patients

A new drug formulation called Rhenium Obisbemeda has been shown to significantly extend the median survival and progression-free time of glioblastoma patients, with a median overall survival time of 17 months. The treatment, which uses convection-enhanced delivery, shows promise as a potential cure for this deadly brain tumor.

New drug shows promise in treating liver disease caused by metabolic dysfunction, cancer

A new drug candidate has been developed to target and eliminate senescent cells in the liver, reducing fat buildup and preventing liver damage. The study demonstrates a safer and more effective approach to treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and potentially inhibiting liver cancer development.

Females have a 31% higher associated risk of developing long COVID, UT Health San Antonio-led RECOVER study shows

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that females aged 40-55 years have the highest risk of developing long COVID, with a 31% higher associated risk compared to males. The research, part of the NIH RECOVER initiative, suggests that patients and healthcare teams should consider sex differences when treating long COVID.

UT Health San Antonio, UTSA researchers receive prestigious 2025 Hill Prizes for medicine and technology

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio and The University of Texas at San Antonio have won the 2025 Hill Prizes for their groundbreaking work on non-opioid painkillers and emergency airway management. The $500,000 prize funding will support the development of novel analgesics and a new design for endotracheal tubes.

Smartphone app can help reduce opioid use and keep patients in treatment, UT Health San Antonio study shows

A new study by UT Health San Antonio found that a smartphone app can help patients with opioid use disorder reduce their days of opioid use and stay in treatment longer. The app combined contingency management behavioral therapy and recovery support from peers, reducing opioid use by 35% compared to medication only.

UT Health San Antonio study links genetic changes to social behavior differences in autism, schizophrenia

A UT Health San Antonio study found that brain volume changes correlate with social behavior differences in psychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Tbx1 deficiency was associated with decreased brain volume in the amygdala and surrounding cortical regions, affecting desire for social interaction.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 5, 2024

UT Health San Antonio-led study validates cerebral small vessel disease marker for wider use in dementia trials

A new neuroimaging marker, peak-width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD), has been validated as a susceptibility/risk biomarker for small vessel disease contributing to cognitive impairment and dementia. The study found that PSMD explained cognitive status above and beyond white matter hyperintensities.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 21, 2024

UT Health San Antonio finds higher levels of leptin indicate brain protection against late-life dementia

A new study by UT Health San Antonio found that higher levels of leptin are associated with better signal-transmitting brain white matter in middle-aged adults. The researchers also discovered a link between leptin bioavailability and reduced risk of cognitive impairment, providing potential insights into obesity's role in dementia.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 18, 2024

UT Health San Antonio urologist discovers combined anti-seizure drug and omega-3 may lower COVID-19 risks

A study by UT Health San Antonio urologist Ronald Rodriguez found that combining valproic acid, an anti-seizure medication, with DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid, may reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and lessen its severity. The combination has been shown to activate ancient antiviral pathways against coronaviruses.

School of Dentistry researchers develop innovative sleep apnea model to find answers to chronic pain

A study published in Science Signaling explains the mechanism behind persistent pain related to obstructive sleep apnea. The researchers created a chronic intermittent hypoxia environment in mice and observed an increase in cytokines, which cause sensitivity in nociceptors producing prolonged pain sensitivity.

Drug shows promise for treating brain tumors resulting from breast cancer, UT Health San Antonio trial reports

A trial at UT Health San Antonio found that Sacituzumab Govitecan was well-tolerated and showed signs of effectiveness for patients with breast cancer who had progressed to brain tumors. The drug has been shown to deliver a topoisomerase inhibitor into tumors, providing promising clinical signals of efficacy.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 8, 2024

Scientists create first mouse model with complete, functional human immune system

Researchers have developed a humanized mouse model with a fully functional human immune system, enabling the study of immunotherapy development, disease modeling, and vaccine development. The new model, called TruHuX, mounts specific antibody responses and can develop full-fledged systemic lupus autoimmunity.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2024

A long-term ketogenic diet accumulates aged cells in normal tissues, a UT Health San Antonio-led study shows

A new study led by UT Health San Antonio found that long-term ketogenic diets can induce senescence, or aged cells, in normal tissues, affecting heart and kidney function. However, an intermittent ketogenic diet regimen eliminated these pro-inflammatory effects.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2024

Parental avoidance of toxic exposures could help prevent autism, ADHD in children, new study shows

Researchers found that parents with high chemical intolerance scores were 5.7 times more likely to report a child with autism, highlighting the potential preventive role of avoiding toxic exposures. The study also suggests that reducing exposure prior to and during pregnancy could help prevention.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Xenobiotics·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2024