A Vanderbilt Health-led team has created a 'map' of 1,757 genetic variations that can trigger life-threatening heart rhythm disorder Long QT syndrome. The study enables more precise diagnosis and treatment, reducing the risk of sudden death in affected individuals.
Researchers developed precision phenotyping to improve risk prediction for sensorineural hearing loss, using a large genetic biobank and audiometric data. This approach offers a more nuanced snapshot of a patient's hearing loss, potentially leading to earlier detection and more effective treatment.
Researchers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt have successfully adapted a novel heart recovery technique, REUP, for pediatric patients, enabling the transplantation of 10 donor hearts in children and potentially expanding access to lifesaving heart transplants.
Researchers found that the 194-year-old tortoise's genetic promoters retained youthful 'orderliness,' suggesting a way to protect mitochondria from aging-related consequences. The study's findings may help extend human lifespan and improve overall health.
A human trial has shown that the diabetes drug empagliflozin reduces inflammatory cell clumps and promotes metabolic reprogramming in patients with obesity and prediabetes. This finding suggests that the medication may have heart-protective benefits beyond weight loss.
The Goldilocks Program aims to reduce the timeline for new health technologies from 12-18 months to 90 days through continuous feedback and testing. Key findings include the potential to move critical care toward a predictive, precision-based field that identifies and corrects dangerous immune system dysregulation.
A Vanderbilt Health team has identified several FDA-approved drugs with potential to improve outcomes associated with preterm labor. The study found that these drugs could inhibit uterine muscle activity and delay delivery, potentially reducing side effects to the mother or fetus.
Researchers have identified early signs of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic disease (CKMD) in children as young as 8 years old that can be reversed with a new class of weight loss drugs. The study found that levels of certain disease-associated proteins in children decline in response to therapy with semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonis...
Researchers discovered a unique system C. diff uses to sense and respond to host-mediated nutrient deprivation and a microbiota-produced antibiotic compound. Bacitracin, produced by the gut commensal bacterium Bacillus licheniformis, inhibits symptoms and eliminates the pathogen in a mouse model.
A genetic marker already used to flag risk of vancomycin reaction also identifies patients at risk of lamotrigine reaction, but is missing from gene panels. HLA-A*32:01 is associated with a 16.4-fold higher odds of lamotrigine-induced DRESS, but a negative result does not rule out risk.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center used spatial transcriptomics to characterize acute rejection and response to immunomodulatory therapies following heart transplantation. The study linked cell-specific gene expression patterns to the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, a form of chronic rejection that limit...
A new AI triage agent will be embedded in Vanderbilt Health's EHR to quickly evaluate patients with Alzheimer's disease. The system will analyze chart information, flag missing details, and recommend referrals for priority or standard evaluation, aiming to reduce wait times from weeks to days.
A study found that lower cardiac output is associated with accelerated cerebral atrophy among older adults carrying the APOE-e4 allele, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Lower baseline cardiac output was linked to smaller brain volumes and larger inferior lateral ventricle volumes over time in APOE-e4 carriers.
Researchers mapped pancreatic islet development in 123 pediatric organ donors without diabetes, revealing insights into the root causes of type 1 and 2 diabetes. The study provided a detailed map of the growing pancreas and connected findings to islet function.
Researchers have developed a versatile uncertainty-aware AI framework called TRUECAM that provides customizable accuracy guarantees for cancer subtype classifications. TRUECAM outperforms existing approaches to digital pathology AI uncertainty quantification, detecting out-of-scope inputs and improving fairness across sex and race.
A study has identified a genetic cause for pediatric-onset pyoderma gangrenosum, a rare inflammatory skin condition. The researchers discovered that a mutation in the OTULIN gene leads to the condition, which is characterized by recurrent ulcerating skin sores.
Researchers developed a new platform to visualize drug-tumor interactions, allowing them to measure drug delivery and signaling in human solid tumors. This approach revealed pronounced spatial heterogeneity in drug delivery and target engagement across different tumor types.
A new study published in JAMA found that using a cryoprobe for lung biopsies significantly increases the diagnostic yield compared to standard forceps, with nearly 10 percentage points higher accuracy. The 1.1-millimeter cryoprobe was shown to be safer and more effective than larger probes without crushing tissue samples.
A large multisite study found that Black and Hispanic people with cognitive impairment are less likely to show Alzheimer's pathology on brain scans compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The study highlights ethnoracial differences in dementia and underscores the need for further research into underlying causes of dementia symptoms.
A new study published in Nature Mental Health found that using cannabis and tobacco together significantly increases the risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia among those considered high risk. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 participants and found that co-use was associated with a nearly threefold increased ...
A comprehensive study analyzed human pancreatic islet cells from 299 nondiabetic donors, revealing the impact of endocrine cell composition on islet function and diabetes risk. The study found that the presence of delta cells, which secrete somatostatin, is associated with poorer insulin secretion.
A new urine test, MPS2-AS, performed better than PSA-based testing and MRI for monitoring low-risk prostate cancers on active surveillance. The test correctly predicted high-grade cancer in 97% of cases and avoided unnecessary biopsies by up to 64%.
A new liquid biopsy method has been developed to predict the response to immunotherapy in high-risk breast cancers. The study found that repeated blood sampling can assess and predict the evolving antitumor immune response to therapy, offering a potential tool for guiding immunotherapy decision-making.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered that enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis reshapes intestinal cell metabolism to support its growth, causing diseases like diarrhea and colorectal cancer. The study provides new possibilities for intervention by targeting metabolic interactions between host and microbes.
Researchers found that antibiotics disrupt gut microbiota, suppressing protective immune system pathways and increasing severity of A. baumannii pneumonia. The study highlights the gut-lung connection as a potential therapeutic target for hospital-acquired lung infections.
A recent study found that nearly 69% of former professional football players may have sleep apnea, with many cases going undiagnosed. Untreated sleep apnea is linked to worse mental, cognitive, and physical health outcomes among former athletes.
A Vanderbilt University study analyzed 633,000 survey participants and found that loneliness played a critical role in suicidal ideation. Reducing loneliness could
The Vanderbilt Center for Antibody Therapeutics has partnered with Saravir Biopharma to develop human monoclonal antibodies against measles. The antibodies, developed by James Crowe Jr., have shown promising preclinical data in neutralizing the virus and preventing infection in animal models.
A study of over 25,300 participants found that consuming a high amount of dietary salt (4,200mg/day) increases the risk of new-onset heart failure by 15%. Reducing sodium intake could lead to a significant reduction in heart failure cases and deaths.
A clinical trial is underway to assess the safety and efficacy of the UroActive implant for stress urinary incontinence in men. The trial aims to improve quality of life and provide a better treatment option compared to current SUI treatment.
Researchers identified over 70 medical conditions associated with Alzheimer's disease development, including endocrine/metabolic conditions like Type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that addressing these conditions in midlife may reduce Alzheimer's disease risk, and could lead to earlier interventions and improved patient outcomes.
A novel vaccination approach cleared harmful gut bacterium Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) in an animal model of infection. The experimental vaccine protected against illness, death, tissue damage and infection recurrence through mucosal immunization.
A phase 3 trial will assess the efficacy of baricitinib in reducing persistent neurological and cardiopulmonary symptoms of long COVID. The study, REVERSE-LC, aims to address the massive public health problem of long COVID, which affects millions worldwide.
Randy Davis, MBA, has been named President of Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital, a 270-bed facility joining Vanderbilt Health's network. He aims to improve operating performance and add programs and services to enhance the region's healthcare.
Vanderbilt Health has acquired Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville Hospital and its related businesses, including physician clinics and outpatient services. The acquisition expands the health system's ability to serve patients across the region, providing high-quality care in more convenient community settings.
A groundbreaking study reveals B cells' detrimental role in progressing Type 1 diabetes by interfering with regulatory T cells. The findings suggest targeting B cell-Treg interactions could offer new therapeutic strategies for preserving beta cells and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers found that super agers have a reduced risk of harboring the APOE ε4 gene variant associated with Alzheimer's disease. They also showed a higher frequency of the protective APOE ε2 variant, suggesting a genetic advantage against AD.
The Vanderbilt Transplant Center achieved a record 960 solid organ transplants in 2025, saving 85 more patients than in 2024. The center's heart transplant team set a new world record for the second year in a row with 210 adult and pediatric heart transplants.
Researchers at Vanderbilt Health found that both weight loss drugs and bariatric surgery induce a moderate loss of lean muscle and substantial reduction in fat, improving body composition in obese patients. This shift is associated with lower mortality risk from obesity-related diseases.
Researchers found that patients with clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) had a significantly higher incidence of heart failure and ischemic cardiovascular disease after cancer treatment. CHIP, a condition characterized by age-related variants in blood stem cells, puts patients at increased risk for heart complications.
A randomized trial found that etomidate significantly decreases the risk of dangerously low blood pressures during intubation compared to ketamine. The study suggests that clinicians should choose etomidate over ketamine for breathing tube patients.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that targeted outreach can increase lung cancer screenings for eligible women who undergo mammograms. The CALM model, which coordinates lung screening with mammography, exceeded its target enrollment and demonstrated effectiveness in increasing uptake. By i...
SJS and TEN survivors experience life-threatening drug reactions and years of physical, emotional and social consequences long after hospital discharge. Participants reported feeling unsupported and suffering from physical complications and psychological impacts such as anxiety and depression.
Researchers developed a protein language model that can generate functional antibodies against specific viral antigens. This approach enables rapid generation of antibodies against emerging health threats without requiring blood samples or antigen proteins.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) plans to acquire full ownership of Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville, expanding its network of regional medical centers. The acquisition will strengthen VUMC's ability to serve patients across the region with high-quality care in more convenient settings.
Researchers mapped functional impact of over 17,000 genetic variants associated with premature atherosclerotic heart disease. The new variant impact scores have the potential to increase diagnoses for unclassified variants by a factor of 10.
Researchers have identified a new genetic marker, HLA-A*34:02, which can predict severe gout drug reactions in US patients when combined with HLA-B*58:01. This discovery could improve the safety of allopurinol for millions by expanding genetic screening.
Surgeons at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have successfully performed the country's first procedure using a device that combines PET and CT scans to aid in accurate staging and therapy response assessment. The use of this technology may allow surgeons to immediately assess the success of resection in achieving a negative margin.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found a correlation between impaired musical rhythm perception and developmental speech-language disorders, including dyslexia and stuttering. The studies suggest that musical rhythm ability can be used to design targeted therapeutic interventions for affected individuals.
A new study published in JAMA Dermatology found that nicotinamide reduced the risk of skin cancer by 14%, particularly among patients taking the treatment after a first skin cancer diagnosis. The benefits were more pronounced for squamous cell carcinoma, suggesting earlier intervention may be beneficial.