Researchers discovered that immune cells contributing to neurodegeneration originate in the lymph nodes outside the brain, and blocking these instructions can mitigate neurodegeneration. The study suggests a new pathway to halt or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other primary tauopathies.
Robotic liver and kidney transplant successfully performed on patient Darrell Bosworth, extending benefits of minimally invasive surgery to patients requiring both organs. The procedure, led by Dr. Adeel Khan and Dr. Jessica Lindemann, demonstrates feasibility of robotic approach for carefully selected patients.
A low-carb ketogenic diet was found to improve liver health and blood sugar control more significantly than other diets, reducing liver fat by 67% and lowering blood glucose measurements by 20%. The study suggests that weight loss alone is not enough to combat metabolic health risks and that dietary choice remains an important factor.
Researchers have discovered lymph node-like structures in the skull bone marrow of mice that act as rapid first responders against brain cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery offers a new way to fight brain cancer and other neurological diseases.
A large analysis of patient outcomes shows that tumor ablation and treatment timing extend survival in patients with glioblastoma. The study identifies factors leading to the best outcomes, providing critical new information to improve therapy for these patients.
Researchers have identified a biological brake in the brain that regulates chronic pain, a discovery that could lead to more effective treatments. By targeting specific receptors in the locus coeruleus region of the brain, scientists hope to develop new therapies that provide powerful relief for chronic neuropathic pain.
A mouse study found that early-life stress alters DNA packaging in brain cells, leading to a molecular memory of trauma and increased sensitivity to future stress. Boosting SETD7 levels during early development can lower tolerance for stress in adulthood.
Researchers have developed a tool to design synthetic disordered proteins, untangling their functionality. This innovation accelerates the exploration of biology's vast and underexplored area.
The new collaboration will provide hands-on training at Bristol Myers Squibb and fund translational neuroscience research at WashU, focusing on neurological, neuromuscular, neuroinflammatory, and psychiatric conditions. The program aims to accelerate breakthrough discoveries toward meaningful therapies for patients.
Researchers have developed a new approach to designing drugs that can target multiple types of cancer cells, significantly improving treatment outcomes in mice. By self-assembling into two antibodies that bind together and attack multiple receptors, the modified antibody-drug conjugates outperformed standard treatments.
A new study found that specific gut bacteria from children with stunted growth can be passed to their offspring, causing inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. The researchers identified Campylobacter concisus as a key contributor to this process, which may hold promise for future treatment and prevention strategies.
A study found that younger generations are aging faster biologically, increasing their risk of early-onset cancers. The study linked accelerated aging in immune systems and fat tissue to higher risks of lung and colorectal cancer.
A new study found that an mRNA influenza vaccine helps the immune system recognize a wider range of viruses, offering stronger protection. The vaccine is currently under review by the FDA and could offer benefits in reducing hospitalizations and deaths if approved.
Researchers developed an AI system called OCTCube-M that can accurately identify eight different retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration. The technology also predicts the progression of severe forms of this condition and can infer health risks beyond the eye.
A personalized vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in treating glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain cancer. The vaccine elicited robust and broad immune responses that appeared to increase recurrence-free survival in patients after surgery.
Researchers at WashU Medicine conducted a clinical trial showing that genetically engineered donor stem cells can prevent toxic side effects and improve treatment options for patients with AML and MDS. The study found that removing the CD33 protein from donor stem cells helped target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells untouched.
Cells have a new fail-safe mechanism to handle misfolded proteins that accumulate in liver cells, explaining why only some patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency develop liver disease. This discovery could help predict which patients are at highest risk of needing a liver transplant.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that mRNA vaccines can trigger strong anti-tumor responses even without certain immune cell subtypes, suggesting a novel pathway for cancer treatment. The study found that both cDC1 and cDC2 dendritic cells play a role in stimulating T-cell responses.
A clinical trial has shown that stent placement can effectively treat post-thrombotic syndrome, a common complication of deep vein thrombosis. The study found significant improvements in venous symptoms and overall quality of life for patients who received the procedure.
Researchers found that a novel compound can clear harmful protein from human neurons modeling frontotemporal dementia, preventing neuron death. Enhancing autophagy with the compound showed promise as a treatment strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.
Developed by WashU Medicine researchers, the immunotherapy targets specific blood cancers called T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Early-phase clinical studies have demonstrated manageable side effects and early success in treating these aggressive blood cancers.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed a new compound that protects the liver from damage and improves nutrient absorption after small bowel resection. The drug, WUSTL0717, was tested in mice and showed promise in preventing weight loss and fibrosis, key complications of short bowel syndrome.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed a new cellular immunotherapy that uses brain cells called astrocytes to clear away dementia-related proteins, such as amyloid beta. The treatment requires just a single injection and has shown promise in mice by reducing the amount of plaques in half.
Researchers found that GLP-1 medications are effective at reducing the risk of developing substance use disorders across all major addictive substances, including a 14% reduced risk for developing any substance use disorder. The study also showed significant reductions in severe harm, including overdose and death, among patients with p...
A mobile app has been shown to significantly reduce opioid and non-opioid substance use among adults with unstable housing, as well as improve mental health measures. The uMAT-R app provides free support and resources for people with any substance use disorder, including misuse of opioids, stimulants, and hallucinogens.
A ketogenic diet causes physical changes in brain cells that affect how they send information to one another, dampening the strength of signals between them. This quieter neural landscape might explain how the diet calms overactive electrical signaling characteristic of epileptic seizures.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have found that disrupted lymphatic vessels may trigger chronic organ rejection in transplanted lungs and hearts. The study suggests that preventing hyaluronan buildup or restoring lymphatic drainage could prevent fibrosis and long-term damage.
A recent study from WashU Medicine found a strong correlation between parental obesity and the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in children. Research analyzing data from the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children showed that maternal obesity was associated with a 2.9-fold increase in ...
The Long Life Family Study, a long-running international investigation, has revealed insights into features of healthy aging. Researchers have found that most long-lived families have better cardiovascular health, including healthier blood pressures and lower rates of diabetes.
Researchers developed an intranasal vaccine that elicited strong immune responses and prevented infections in exposed animals, providing protection against upper respiratory infection and severe disease. The nasal vaccine was effective regardless of prior flu exposure, making it a promising tool in the fight against H5N1 bird flu.
A novel antibody-based therapy has been shown to reduce plaque in the arteries of mice, eliminating harmful immune cells that drive inflammation and unstable plaque formation. This immunotherapy could complement traditional methods and help patients with advanced coronary artery disease.
A study finds that nearly half of newborns with severe spina bifida experience breathing problems during sleep, which can be detected through comprehensive sleep studies. Early treatment may significantly improve cognitive development in these high-risk infants.
Researchers have found that chemicals in exhaled breath can reveal the composition of the bacteria living in the intestines, providing a potential non-invasive test for monitoring and diagnosing gut health issues. Breath samples from children with asthma were able to predict the presence of the bacterium linked to the condition.
A study found that a small, implanted vagus nerve stimulation device produced substantial and sustained improvements in depressive symptoms, quality of life, and daily function in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The device showed lasting benefits even after two years, with nearly one-third of participants who didn't respo...
Researchers created an 'atlas' of immune cells in bone marrow cancer that provides insights into how the immune system interacts with cancerous plasma cells. The knowledge can improve survival predictions and guide treatment decisions for patients with multiple myeloma.
Tofersen, a new drug approved by the FDA, has been shown to delay disease progression and stabilize symptoms in people with a genetic form of ALS. Long-term use of tofersen slows ALS disease progression and death in about one-quarter of participants, leading to stabilization or improvement in strength and mobility.
Researchers developed a noninvasive approach using nasal drops to deliver potent tumor-fighting medicine to the brain, boosting the immune response and eradicating glioblastoma tumors in mice. The nano-sized medicine successfully activated the STING pathway and armed the immune system to fight the cancer.
The Center for Computational and AI-enabled Imaging Sciences brings together experts to develop AI-powered medical imaging applications that integrate information from different imaging types. This may include identifying previously unknown early indicators of disease onset.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered central routes that deadly viruses take to invade human cells, designing decoy molecules to block infections. The studies set the stage for developing new strategies for yellow fever and tick-borne encephalitis viruses.
Alzheimer's disease disrupts the daily activity patterns of brain cells involved in removing amyloid plaques, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for treating the disease. Controlling these circadian rhythms could help prevent disease progression.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that social conflicts, particularly family fighting and peer bullying, were the strongest predictors of near- and long-term mental health issues in teens. The research also revealed sex differences in how boys and girls experience stress from peer conflict.
Prognosia, a biotech startup founded by WashU Medicine researchers, has been acquired by Lunit. The company's AI-based software analyzes mammograms to predict breast cancer risk, showing more than twice the accuracy of standard methods.
Researchers found that quitting smoking more than doubles survival time among patients with advanced cancers. The study shows the benefits of integrated smoking cessation interventions into cancer treatment plans.
New research from Washington University School of Medicine identifies a key step in rotavirus infection and shows that disabling this process can prevent infection. The discovery opens up new avenues for therapeutic intervention, potentially treating not only rotavirus but also other pathogens with similar infection mechanisms.
A new study reveals a group of immune cells called efferocytic macrophages (eMacs) in the pancreas that can render T cells inactive, protecting insulin-producing beta cells and preventing Type 1 diabetes. The findings offer hope for new therapies for the chronic autoimmune disease.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered a novel way brown fat burns calories and improves metabolic health by exploiting cellular parts called peroxisomes. Mice with increased peroxisome activity showed improved insulin sensitivity and weight control on high-fat diets.
A recent study found that toddlers with a fluctuating gut microbiome showed poorer growth compared to those with a stable microbiome. The researchers created a public health database containing complete genetic profiles of microbes from fecal samples, which can be used for future studies to help predict and prevent malnutrition.
Research uncovers how glutamate regulates pediatric brain tumor growth, suggesting novel approaches to treating these cancers. Inhibiting glutamate receptors has been shown to reduce human pediatric brain tumor growth in mice.
A new study reveals a previously unknown cellular purging process called cathartocytosis that helps injured cells revert to a stem cell-like state more rapidly. However, this process may also lead to chronic inflammation and increased risk of cancer development.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that clonal hematopoiesis, a condition caused by mutated blood stem cells, is more common among individuals with inherited mutations that increase cancer risk. Those with inherited mutations had a higher risk of developing blood cancer if their stem cell clones acquired additional harmful mutations.