Researchers at UVA Health System discover how traumatic brain injury increases Alzheimer's risk and find a potential prevention strategy using a hollowed-out virus to deliver repair supplies. The approach could help limit neurodegeneration and potentially prevent other neurological diseases.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a new treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, a deadly form of blood cancer. The FDA-approved medication works by disrupting cellular protein interactions that drive leukemia cell growth and survival, offering patients a potential cure.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System are exploring the role of the neurovascular unit in maintaining healthy brain function and how damage can cause chronic health conditions. The studies aim to identify new biomarkers for blast-related brain injury and develop strategies for prevention and treatment.
A 47-year-old man from New Jersey died after consuming beef due to a tick-borne meat allergy caused by the Lone Star tick's alpha-gal sugar. Researchers identified the allergy and its link to fatal anaphylaxis, urging physicians to investigate severe abdominal pain after eating red meat in areas with high Lone Star tick populations.
Researchers at UVA School of Medicine found that the breakdown of protective brain structures called perineuronal nets leads to social memory loss in Alzheimer's patients. Preventing the degradation of these nets may lead to new treatments to prevent or delay the disease.
International experts call for reclassification of postpartum psychosis as a separate mental illness category to speed diagnosis and treatment. The condition, which affects up to 2.6 women per 1,000 after childbirth, requires specific treatment approach if left untreated.
The FDA has approved elinzanetant for treating hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women. The drug significantly reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms while improving sleep quality and quality of life.
Scientists found a promising candidate, pleiotrophin, which is essential for brain development and function; restoring it may improve brain circuits in individuals with Down syndrome and other neurological diseases. The study's findings suggest using modified viruses to deliver the protein directly into cells could lead to new treatments.
New University of Virginia research explores the most common and effective types of counseling and support for people who have had a near-death experience. The study found that acceptance and validation, as well as support from groups or online sources knowledgeable about NDEs, are key to successful support.
Researchers aim to determine if biomarkers can identify adults at risk of developing interstitial lung disease (ILD), a chronic condition that causes inflammation and scarring in the lung tissue. The approach could lead to the development of new, better treatments with more tolerable side effects.
A large international clinical trial found that elinzanetant significantly reduces hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women by over 73%. The drug also shows secondary benefits such as improved quality of life and reduced sleep disturbances, with no harmful effects on the liver or bone density.
Researchers at UVA Health System are testing a cutting-edge MRI scanner to identify brain scarring caused by blast exposures in soldiers. If successful, the technology could lead to a new imaging test to diagnose brain changes caused by repeated blasts.
Researchers envision AI-powered systems that identify patients at risk of mental health struggles, provide continuous psychological monitoring and tailor interventions. AI can also overcome barriers to mental health care by delivering support exactly where and when it's needed, including rural areas.
Researchers at UVA Health System are developing AI-based systems that can automatically detect meals and deliver insulin doses. The goal is to create fully automated artificial pancreas systems that require minimal user interaction.
Scientists have developed a monoclonal antibody to combat life-threatening inflammatory diseases like sepsis and ARDS. The antibody shows promise in blocking the immune system's hyperactive response and restoring healthy function without unwanted side effects.
Researchers are developing an AI imaging approach to distinguish between tumor progression and treatment effects in glioblastoma patients, promising to improve care and outcomes. The AI approach has already shown accuracy rates of up to 74% in initial testing.
Research warns that GLP-1 drugs may not provide the long-term health benefit of improved heart and lung function. While they help with weight loss, patients may experience significant muscle loss, which can increase cardiovascular disease risk. Doctors are urging additional research to better understand the effects of these drugs.
Researchers Sontheimer and Monje have made groundbreaking discoveries in brain tumor growth, revealing how nerve cells promote the development of aggressive gliomas. Their work has laid the foundation for new treatments and clinical trials, offering hope for innovative therapies.
Scientists have discovered that microglia play a crucial role in regulating blood flow to the brain, and targeting them may improve blood flow deficits. The study suggests that restoring microglia function could prevent or reverse memory-stealing diseases caused by lack of adequate blood flow.
A new treatment approach using cyclophosphamide has been found to prevent most graft-versus-host disease in mismatched transplants. The study shows that 80% of patients are alive after a year, similar to outcomes seen in fully matched transplants.
UVA Health received two anonymous $25 million estate gifts to support the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. The institute will develop new treatments for hard-to-treat diseases with a state-of-the-art biomedical research facility expected to drive economic growth in Central Virginia.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown organelle called the hemifusome that plays a crucial role in cellular sorting and recycling. This discovery could lead to targeted treatments for complex genetic disorders like Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, which affects multiple systems in the body.
A new UVA Health study finds that stocking two twin packs of epinephrine autoinjectors and having campers leave their own at home is the most cost-effective strategy for residential camps. This approach comes with an estimated overall cost of $4.33 per camper.
A new study published in npj Digital Medicine found that an interactive artificial pancreas system, using digital twins, improved blood sugar control and reduced hemoglobin A1c levels in type 1 diabetes patients. The system adapts to users' changing bodies and allows them to test changes to the system's parameters in a safe simulation ...
A team of researchers has received a $3.2 million grant to upgrade the Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV) tool, which assigns a numerical score to service members' blast exposure history to assess potential health outcomes.
Researchers at University of Virginia Health System discovered that an immune molecule called STING drives the formation of harmful plaques and protein tangles associated with Alzheimer's. Blocking STING protected lab mice from mental decline, suggesting a promising treatment target for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have uncovered a key reason why HIV remains difficult to cure, revealing that subtle variations in the Rev-RRE axis influence viral replication and latency reactivation. Understanding this regulatory system could help develop strategies to flush out the dormant virus and eliminate it for good.
Researchers found that an inexpensive HIV drug can improve vision in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) more effectively and at a lower cost than existing treatments. The drug, lamivudine, is taken orally and may represent a game-changing option for millions of patients worldwide.
A new smartphone app, ECHAS, can help people determine if they are suffering from a heart attack or stroke and need medical attention. The app, developed by experts at UVA Health and other leading institutions, proved effective in identifying patients with cardiac and neurological emergencies.
A new technique using focused sound waves and microbubbles has shown great promise in treating debilitating brain lesions called cerebral cavernous malformations. The approach has halted the growth of lesions almost entirely, offering a potential paradigm shift in treatment.
Researchers found that patients taking HIV drugs called NRTIs are substantially less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. The study, led by Jayakrishna Ambati, analyzed data from two large health insurance databases and determined a significant reduction in Alzheimer's risk among patients on NRTIs.
A groundbreaking study from the University of Virginia Health System reveals distinct immune patterns in patients with persistent breathing issues after COVID-19. The research identifies specific T cell changes linked to lung damage and fibrosis, paving the way for personalized treatments.
Researchers have discovered genetic properties in prostate cancer that can be targeted to improve patient outcomes, particularly for Chinese men. The findings highlight the potential of precision medicine and more effective treatments.
A new genomics tool, refget Sequence Collections, streamlines genomic research by standardizing reference sequences. This enables scientists to compare data more efficiently and accelerate medical breakthroughs.
University of Virginia researcher Natasha D. Sheybani has received a $5.5 million grant to advance her research on focused ultrasound technology for breast cancer immunotherapy. Her work aims to enhance the safety, effectiveness, and precision of immunotherapy drugs.
The University of Virginia has appointed Dr. Mark T. Esser as the inaugural head of its Manning Institute, a $350 million facility aimed at transforming healthcare and accelerating new treatments. Esser brings decades of experience in developing new medical breakthroughs and will foster an ecosystem of innovation to attract biotechnolo...
A new paper highlights emerging alternatives to traditional diabetes medicines, such as continuous glucose monitors and lifestyle interventions like GEM, which can improve patient adherence and long-term health outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a computational tool called LogiRx that can predict how drugs will affect biological processes in the body. The tool has demonstrated its potential by identifying a promising candidate to prevent heart failure, a leading cause of death worldwide.
Researchers have discovered how severe COVID-19 can destroy immune cells' ability to repair the lungs, leading to lingering effects of long COVID. By enhancing damaged organelles using a FDA-approved drug, they found improved lung healing and reduced inflammation.
A major clinical trial has identified ensitrelvir as an effective medication to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 in people exposed within households. The trial showed a 67% reduction in risk of illness among participants taking the antiviral compared to those given a placebo.
Children who frequently miss school due to abdominal complaints are more likely to have gut-brain axis disorders like IBS, which can be missed by medical tests. The study found that frequent absences were nearly five times more likely to be caused by functional GI disorders than specific illnesses.
Scientists have identified a new target to prevent cold sores by understanding how the herpes virus triggers its own immune response. The discovery has important implications for genital herpes caused by the same virus, with potential treatments in development.
Research from UVA Health and the Flo app finds that many women experience perimenopause symptoms as early as their 30s, including anxiety, depression, and physical problems. The study sheds light on the often-ignored transition period leading to menopause and aims to improve care and support for women approaching this stage.
A new clinical trial will evaluate whether adding ketamine to standard treatment can improve outcomes for patients suffering from status epilepticus. The trial, called KESETT, hopes to determine whether ketamine can terminate the seizures in more patients than current treatments.
A new University of Virginia study found that providing clear information and collaborative learning sessions between patients and healthcare providers increased willingness to get vaccinated. Sixty-three percent of patients reported a strong recommendation from their healthcare provider motivated them to get vaccinated.
Researchers discovered a link between neuroactive steroids in pregnant women's blood and the risk of developing postpartum depression. Measuring these molecules via a blood test could enable doctors to provide treatment sooner. The study may lead to a preventive treatment using existing prescription drugs.
Researchers found that flagellin from the gut disrupts immune checkpoint treatment in ovarian cancer patients. Inhibiting this pathway may enhance clinical outcomes and save lives. The discovery could lead to novel therapies capable of targeting ovarian tumors.
A new nanotechnology-based drug delivery system has been developed to save patients from repeated surgeries. The approach, called Pericelle, uses a paste of nanoparticles containing hydrogel on transplanted veins to prevent blockages, which can lead to repeated surgeries in heart and dialysis patients.
UVA researchers analyzed 300 blood serum samples from babies who died from SIDS and identified specific biological indicators linked to their deaths. The study found 35 predictors of SIDS, including ornithine and a lipid metabolite critical for brain and lung health.
Researchers found that time in safe blood-sugar range can predict diabetes complications as accurately as hemoglobin A1c levels. The study used advanced machine learning techniques to analyze landmark diabetes data from the DCCT trial.