A study published in Neurology found that nicotine patches improved memory loss in older adults with mild cognitive impairment by 46% after six months. The treatment had minimal side effects and showed promise for further research into its potential benefits.
A new study found that statin use reduced mortality among hospitalized influenza patients by almost twice as much. Researchers are exploring combining statins with antiviral drugs for better treatment.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that recreational Ecstasy use is associated with chronic changes in the human brain, leading to a lasting loss of serotonin. The study used PET imaging to examine brain regions and found increased levels of serotonin-2A receptors in users, correlated with higher lifetime use.
A new study identifies SIRT2 as a key tumor suppressor linked to gender-specific tumor development in mice. The research suggests the existence of a rare family of tumor suppressors, and its findings have implications for understanding the biological processes underlying cancer and aging.
Novel imaging agents detectable by PET imaging may visualize tumors in their earliest stages, enabling early detection and treatment of cancer. The compounds target COX-2, an enzyme found in inflammatory lesions and tumors.
Researchers discovered that ibuprofen and other NSAIDs selectively block endocannabinoid metabolism, potentially leading to new analgesic medications with fewer side effects. This finding raises the possibility of targeting inflammation and pain without the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks associated with traditional NSAIDs.
Researchers have identified a protein that plays a critical role in heart development and may also be a therapeutic target for halting colon cancer metastasis. BVES expression was found to be low in all stages of colon cancer and decreased levels were observed in many other types of epithelial cancers.
An international team of scientists identified 29 new genetic variants linked to multiple sclerosis, providing key insights into the biology of the disease. The study confirms 23 previously known genetic associations and doubles the number of genes associated with MS.
Vanderbilt University researchers found that dopamine in the kidneys plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and life span. The study suggests that targeting the kidney dopamine system may be effective in treating hypertension and progressive kidney diseases.
Researchers identified six distinct subtypes of triple-negative breast cancer, each responding differently to chemotherapies. The study provides molecular targets for drug discovery and development efforts, offering hope for personalized therapy.
Researchers discovered a protein isolated from beneficial bacteria, called p40, that supports intestinal epithelial cell growth and function, reducing inflammatory responses. Oral consumption of p40 prevented and treated colitis in animal models, providing a potential new therapeutic option for IBD.
Research suggests that recreational Ecstasy use is associated with chronic changes in brain function, particularly increased brain activation in visual processing areas. The study's findings may have implications for the potential therapeutic benefits and risks of Ecstasy use, as well as its impact on mental health over time.
Researchers found that variations in the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene may increase a woman's risk for delivering her infant prematurely. The study suggests that human gestation has been pushed to shorter times due to evolutionary changes, which could lead to new targets for therapeutic or preventive measures.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University identified a new gene, KCNV2, that influences the risk of developing epilepsy. The gene codes for a unique potassium channel protein and alters electrical activity in nerve cells, leading to seizures.
A Vanderbilt study found that exercise significantly reduced cannabis cravings and use in heavy users. Participants who engaged in 10-30 minute treadmill sessions for two weeks saw a 50% decrease in cravings and average daily use dropped from 5.9 joints to 2.8 joints.
Researchers found that upregulation of HER3 receptor limits effectiveness of targeted therapies in HER2-positive breast cancers. Targeting both HER2 and HER3 together with these agents improves clinical utility. Combination therapy also shows potential in treating other cancers.
A large proportion of Asians are underweight, but research found that those with a BMI in the range of 22.6 to 27.5 had the lowest risk of death, while severely underweight individuals were more than twice as likely to die.
A new mouse model has been developed to study selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and their effects on the brain. The model shows that SSRIs target a specific protein in the brain, leading to improved treatment options for depression and potentially shedding light on addiction.
A team of investigators has identified a new candidate gene for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of eye disorder. The gene, ADAMTS10, is involved in processing extracellular matrix and may play a role in regulating aqueous humor outflow.
A deficiency in a protein that fends off aging-related cellular damage may set the stage for estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive breast tumors to develop. Researchers have identified a link between this protein and increased levels of reactive oxygen species, providing a potential biomarker for these tumors.
Breast cancer patients with a strong social support system in the first year after diagnosis have a lower risk of dying or having a cancer recurrence. Emotional support was found to be the strongest predictor of cancer recurrence, reducing the risk by 43% for women with favorable interpersonal relationships.
Vanderbilt researchers found that pro-inflammatory cytokines can trigger despair-like behavior in mice, similar to human depression. They also discovered a mechanism by which inflammation enhances serotonin reuptake, potentially increasing the risk of mood and anxiety disorders.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University engineered a mouse that can run longer on a treadmill by increasing its acetylcholine supply, which could lead to new treatments for myasthenia gravis and other disorders. The study also found potential links between cholinergic signaling deficits and conditions like muscular dystrophy and ADHD.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria favor human hemoglobin over other animal hemoglobins, which may contribute to why some people are more susceptible to staph infections. Genetic variations in hemoglobin could be a key factor in individual susceptibility to these infections.
A new study found that buprenorphine is at least as effective as methadone in treating opioid addiction during pregnancy. Babies of mothers who received buprenorphine had shorter hospital stays and required less morphine to treat neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Researchers found that a massive, uncontrolled activation of the complement system led to severe lung damage and death in young adults. The study's findings suggest that this over-reaction is responsible for making healthy young and middle-aged adults seriously ill during pandemic flu, explaining why they are disproportionately affected.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center researcher has identified a new lead for compounds that block the Wnt signaling pathway, implicated in over 90% of sporadic colon cancers. The approved anti-parasite drug pyrvinium was found to inhibit Wnt signaling and cell proliferation in cultured colon cancer cells.
Researchers have identified a new agouti family gene that regulates pigmentation and body weight in fish. The protein enables fish to dramatically change color to match their environment, a phenomenon also observed in mammals such as the arctic hare.
A study of 71,243 Chinese women aged 40-70 found that those with higher cumulative scores for healthy lifestyle factors had a 43% lower risk of all-cause mortality. The strongest association was with cardiovascular disease deaths.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered that water increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, raising alertness, blood pressure, and energy expenditure. Drinking water may also reduce fainting responses in blood donors by 20 percent, according to the study.
Identification of IKKβ as a crucial signaling molecule in melanoma development may lead to new targeted therapies. The study suggests that treating patients with specific genetic profiles could enhance treatment efficacy.
Researchers have developed fluorescent compounds that can light up tumors as they begin to form, signaling their transition to aggressive cancers. These compounds, called fluorocoxibs, could be used for early tumor detection, monitoring cancer progression, and defining tumor margins during surgery.
A blood test measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) levels may help assess colon cancer risk, according to a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study. High CRP levels were found to be associated with a 2.5-times greater risk of colon cancer in women.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have found that the first sign of injury in glaucoma occurs in the brain, where neuronal communication with the optic nerve is compromised. This discovery offers new insights into the disease and potential treatment targets.
Researchers identify a gene signature that predicts colon cancer recurrence and death, allowing for personalized chemotherapy targeting and avoiding toxic treatments.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered that acetaminophen can prevent oxidative damage and kidney failure after muscle injury in a rat model. The study's findings support further investigation into the drug's effects in patients with severe muscle injuries.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center used zebrafish to identify novel compounds that selectively target bone-related diseases and cancer. By leveraging the zebrafish model, they discovered potent BMP inhibitors with improved selectivity, bypassing off-target effects.
Researchers found that Erbitux, a cancer treatment drug, reversed symptoms of Ménétrier's disease in nearly half of patients. The study provides new hope for those suffering from this rare condition.
Researchers have identified a genetic factor that increases the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with congenital long-QT syndrome. Variants of the gene NOS1AP were found to predispose individuals to a worse form of the disease, leading to longer QT intervals and increased symptoms.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center used NMR methods to determine the structure of diacylglycerol kinase (DAGK), a large bacterial protein that resides within the cell membrane. The study suggests that similar methods can be applied to other membrane proteins, including G protein-coupled receptors, which are targets for...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have cracked the mystery of a failed TB vaccine by modifying it to reduce antioxidant production, leading to stronger immune responses in mice. The modified BCG vaccine could offer improved protection against pulmonary TB and serve as a platform for other vaccines.
Vanderbilt University researchers have identified a gene signature linked to reduced relapse-free survival in breast cancer patients, especially those with estrogen receptor-positive tumors. The discovery suggests that assessing TGF-β signaling may aid in determining breast cancer prognosis and guiding treatment.
Researchers found that lithium promotes DNA repair in healthy cells but not in brain tumor cells, protecting healthy hippocampal neurons from radiation-induced damage. This mechanism could provide a way to increase the radiation dose to kill tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered that the clinically available drug flecainide prevents potentially lethal arrhythmias in patients with CPVT. In two patients, flecainide prevented exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias and allowed them to live normal lives.
Researchers found that inhibiting the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2) with licorice extract or by silencing its gene prevents colorectal cancer progression in mice. This approach produces effects specific to the colon and kidney, unlike existing preventive therapies.
Researchers develop anti-inflammatory therapy that blocks NF-kappa-B's movement into the nucleus, preventing excessive lung inflammation and damage. The treatment showed effectiveness in a mouse model of acute lung injury, offering hope for improved therapies for life-threatening pneumonia.
A new genetic 'hotspot' for breast cancer susceptibility has been found on chromosome 6 in Asian women. This genetic locus may help guide efforts to identify specific genes linked with sporadic forms of the disease.
Researchers have discovered a new class of compounds that selectively inhibit protein phospholipase D (PLD), an enzyme linked to multiple human cancers. The inhibitors block invasive breast cancer cell migration and could be used as antimetastatic agents.
A study by Vanderbilt University researchers found a surprising link between brain iron levels and serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in neuropsychiatric conditions. The team identified multiple trait differences affected by the SERT GK/ER variation, including traits associated with alcohol consumption and brain dopamine signaling.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have discovered a new molecular mechanism that increases the risk of arrhythmias. They found that calcium-sensitizing drugs can cause arrhythmias by making heart muscle cells more prone to irregular rhythms.