Scientists at WashU Medicine are developing strategies and tools to produce vaccines and antibody-based therapies for viruses from five understudied families. The effort aims to rapidly respond to potential future pandemics, with funding totaling $90M over three years.
A clinical trial led by Washington University School of Medicine found that two anti-coagulant drugs did not improve outcomes for patients who received vessel-clearing interventions after a blood clot in the brain. The study aimed to test whether adding these medications could prevent further clots, but results showed no benefit.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine developed an immunotherapy to minimize damage from traumatic spinal cord injury. The therapy protects neurons from immune cells, improving mobility in mice and showing potential for treating people with spinal cord injuries.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that people with multiple sclerosis are less likely to develop the molecular hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. The discovery suggests a potential new avenue for treating Alzheimer's and could inform therapeutic strategies.
A new study reveals that zebrafish spinal cords regenerate by leveraging the survival and adaptability of severed neurons, rather than relying on stem cells. The research identifies genetic targets to promote this type of plasticity in humans and other mammals.
Researchers developed a drug that enhances killer T cells' fighting power while reducing the toxicity of unmodified IL-2 treatments, overcoming inhibitory Tr1 cells and increasing immunotherapy's effectiveness. The study aims to personalize cancer immunotherapy for more patients.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have developed a novel compound that effectively clears bacterial infections in mice, including those causing rare and potentially fatal 'flesh-eating' illnesses. The compound targets gram-positive bacteria, reducing virulence and speeding up post-infection healing.
Researchers developed a method to study aged neurons in the lab without a brain biopsy, accurately reproducing the hallmarks of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study identified aspects of cells' genomes that contribute to the development of the disease and found potential treatment strategies targeting these factors.
Researchers developed a method to study aged neurons in the lab without a brain biopsy, revealing aspects of cells' genomes linked to late-onset Alzheimer's development. The technique suggests new treatment strategies targeting retrotransposable elements and early intervention to slow disease progression.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a nasal COVID-19 vaccine that halted transmission in hamsters, showing promise for controlling respiratory infections. The vaccine targeted the virus's entry points in the nose and mouth, reducing viral replication and preventing spread.
A head-to-head comparison of six commercial blood tests found that some are accurate enough to replace spinal taps and brain scans in patients with cognitive impairment. The analysis, led by Suzanne Schindler at Washington University School of Medicine, identified reliable tests for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.
Pagliarini's research aims to shed light on the underlying genetic causes of mitochondrial disorders, which affect one in 5,000 people. He will use this funding to expand his work on mitochondrial proteins and their functions, with a focus on coenzyme Q.
Researchers are studying brain connectivity and hormonal changes in adolescent girls to predict who will develop migraine headaches. The study aims to identify the girls at risk of developing the condition, which can help develop new interventions and preventive strategies.
The risk of developing long COVID has decreased significantly over time, primarily attributed to vaccination against COVID-19. Despite this decline, the researchers found that vaccinated individuals still face a substantial risk of long COVID, with an estimated 3.5% rate in some groups.
A new study finds that psilocybin temporarily desynchronizes the default mode network in the brain, creating a psychedelic experience. The study provides a neurobiological explanation for the drug's effects and lays groundwork for its potential use as a therapy for mental illnesses.
Researchers identified a protein that travels from brain to muscles, causing muscle fatigue. Studies in fruit flies and mice found that this process is relevant to inflammatory diseases, including bacterial infections, Alzheimer's disease, and long COVID. Blocking this pathway may prevent or treat muscle weakness.
A new study by researchers at WashU Medicine found that people of predominantly Native American or African ancestry have a higher prevalence of dementia due to social determinants of health. These factors include lower education levels, rural residency, and high blood pressure, which raised their risk of cognitive decline.
Researchers have identified a potential compound that enhances naloxone's effectiveness in reversing opioid overdoses by making it more potent and longer-lasting. The compound, dubbed compound 368, was found to improve naloxone's ability to counteract opioid overdoses in mice and enable reversal at lower doses.
The Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research will unite scientists and public health experts to fight the HIV epidemic in the region. The center aims to create a platform for collaboration and coordinate efforts to address the disease, with a focus on improving healthcare equity and outcomes.
A new study by Washington University School of Medicine found that cannabis users are nearly twice as likely to need hospitalization and intensive care when infected with COVID-19. Cannabis use was associated with a higher risk of severe illness, similar to tobacco smoking.
A clinical trial found that home modifications, such as grab bars and shower seats, reduce the risk of death within a year after hospital discharge. The program also provides self-management training to enable stroke survivors to remain independent in their own homes.
Researchers find that a repurposed drug, crizanlizumab, stabilizes vision in patients with retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy and systemic manifestations (RVCL-S) after two years of treatment. The study suggests that this may give patients additional years to read, drive, and enjoy activities.
Researchers have found that pregnant women with opioid use disorder who continue taking their ADHD medications are more likely to adhere to treatment and experience fewer overdoses. Patients who stop taking ADHD medications, on the other hand, are at a higher risk of overdose and emergency room visits.
A multicenter clinical trial of over 1,000 older patients undergoing cardiac surgery found that minimizing anesthesia did not prevent postoperative delirium. Higher doses of general anesthesia were not toxic to the brain, contradicting earlier concerns.
A new study found that subtle cognitive changes can foreshadow the decision for many seniors to stop driving. Routine cognitive testing may help older adults and their physicians make decisions about driving to maximize safety while preserving independence. Women are more likely to stop driving than men, according to the findings.
Researchers found that repeat COVID-19 vaccinations elicit cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies capable of targeting multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and distantly related coronaviruses. The findings suggest periodic re-vaccination may help build a stock of protective antibodies against emerging variants.
Researchers found that a specific strain of gut bacteria enhances the effects of cancer immunotherapy, leading to tumor shrinkage. The discovery could lead to next-generation probiotics that synergize with immunotherapy to improve cancer care.
A new study reveals that people with Down syndrome are more prone to developing Alzheimer's disease due to the presence of an extra chromosome 21, which leads to increased amyloid deposits. As a result, cognitive decline occurs in their 50s, whereas autosomal dominant Alzheimer's typically starts later in life.
A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine has found that a drug used to treat epilepsy can prevent brain tumor formation and growth in mice with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The drug, lamotrigine, was shown to be effective at lower doses than those used for epilepsy, and its effects were lasting. The finding...
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to identify normal mammograms and ran a simulation on patient data, revealing that AI can reduce unnecessary testing while maintaining cancer detection rates. The study suggests that AI can help doctors focus on more questionable scans, reducing false positives and improving workflows.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that nerve-stimulation treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is less effective for people with higher BMIs. The study analyzed data from 76 patients with BMIs of less than 35 and showed that the likelihood of successful treatment drops significantly as weight increases.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have found a new way to remove toxic amyloid plaques from the brain using an antibody that activates microglia. This approach has implications beyond Alzheimer's disease and could potentially clear other neurodegenerative conditions.
A new study uses AI to predict whether early-stage lung cancer will spread to the brain, allowing for more targeted and effective treatment. The algorithm achieved an accuracy rate of 87%, outperforming human pathologists in some cases.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine discovered that neurons coordinate to produce rhythmic waves that propel fluid through dense brain tissue, washing the tissue in the process. This finding has implications for delaying or preventing neurodegenerative diseases by enhancing the brain's cleaning abilities.
A new blood test has been shown to diagnose Alzheimer's disease pathology as accurately as FDA-approved spinal fluid tests, making early diagnosis and treatment accessible to more people. The blood test measures levels of Alzheimer's proteins in the blood, detecting molecular signs of the disease even before symptoms appear.
The study found a surge in breast cancer diagnoses among women under 50, with steeper increases in recent years. Estrogen-receptor positive tumors, fueled by estrogen, are driving the rise.
Researchers discovered a critical communication pathway between the brain and fat tissue that contributes to aging. Activating specific brain cells improved energy production, physical activity, and lifespan in mice by 7%. The findings suggest potential interventions to maintain this feedback loop and slow aging effects.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine discovered a decoy molecule that protects against the potentially deadly brain infection. The study advanced understanding of viral protein and receptor interactions, laying a foundation for treatments and vaccines.
Researchers identified naturally occurring biochemical components and key bacterial strains that process these components in a new therapeutic food. The study suggests that identifying these components can guide treatment with the current food formulation and enable creation of new, more effective formulations.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science found that smoking causes brain shrinkage and increases the risk of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Quitting smoking can prevent further loss of brain tissue, but stopping does not restore the brain to its original size.
Researchers found that a rare genetic mutation in the APOE gene, known as the Christchurch mutation, may prevent Alzheimer's dementia by severing the link between amyloid and tau accumulation. This discovery offers new hope for preventing the disease.
A clinical trial by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found routine thyroid hormone intervention to be ineffective in preserving heart function and increasing organ availability for transplantation. The practice may even cause harm, prompting the authors to recommend halting its use.
A study published in Med suggests that low-dose radiation therapy can improve heart function by reducing inflammatory immune cells and scar tissue in the heart. Researchers found improved pumping capacity and increased survival of mice with heart failure after receiving radiation therapy.
Researchers have found that lowering a form of brain cholesterol known as cholesteryl esters helps prevent brain damage and behavioral changes in mice with Alzheimer's-like tau deposits. The study suggests that reducing cholesteryl ester levels could be a promising candidate to test in neurodegenerative diseases.
A nationwide Medicare program aimed at promoting better healthcare and reducing costs by tying payments to quality and cost outcomes has shown no improvement in mental health care. The study found that patients with depression or anxiety received inadequate treatment, with those in accountable care organizations getting even less care.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive brain biopsy technique using ultrasound and microbubbles to access brain tissue without surgery. The technique increases circulating tumor DNA by 1.6- to 5.6-fold, providing valuable genetic information for treatment decisions.
Scientists have identified a long non-coding RNA called SNHG8 that plays a crucial role in the development of toxic protein tangles in brain diseases like Alzheimer's. Replacing this RNA can prevent stress granule formation, which contributes to tau aggregation and brain damage.
A new study found that digesting fiber from crustaceans, insects, and mushrooms in mice engages the immune system, leading to less weight gain, reduced body fat, and a resistance to obesity. The researchers discovered that an active immune response was triggered by chitin digestion, which is insoluble and requires enzymes to break down.
A new study found that daily aspirin use could reduce cardiovascular deaths globally, yet fewer than half of people worldwide who have had a heart attack or stroke take the medication. The study showed significant variations in aspirin use among countries, with higher rates in high-income countries.
Researchers analyzed 10,000 proteins from 10 different cancers, identifying key drivers and interactions that fuel tumor growth. The study provides valuable insights into the molecular basis of cancer and may lead to new treatments targeting specific proteins or chemical alterations.