Author: Katie Cammarata

Brain network responsible for Parkinson’s disease identified (Links to an external site)

The brain network that links thinking with movement, called SCAN, was first described by WashU Medicine researchers in 2023 and has been identified in a new study as the neurological basis of Parkinson’s disease. An experimental therapy that targeted this network more than doubled symptom improvement in a small group of patients with Parkinson’s, which is characterized by hyperconnectivity (left side of illustration) between SCAN and the brain’s subcortex.

Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder affecting more than 1 million people in the U.S. and more than 10 million globally, is characterized by debilitating symptoms such as tremors, movement difficulties, sleep disturbances and cognitive impairments. While current treatments, including long-term medication and invasive deep brain stimulation (DBS), can alleviate symptoms, they cannot halt progression […]

Pierson, Skrbec, Edrington & Faerber announced as Neurology Staff Employees of the Quarter

WashU Medicine Neurology Staff Employee of the Quarter for Q2 FY26. Dallas Pierson, Karina Skrbec, Lorraine Edrington & Stephanie Faerber

The Department of Neurology congratulates four staff members for being awarded the Neurology Staff Employees of the Quarter for Q2 FY26. The department accepts nominations for three award categories to highlight the dedication and accomplishments of our staff members — clinical, research and administration. This quarter, a team of two was nominated for the administration […]

Congratulations to Neurology’s January 2026 SAFE accolade recipients

SAFE accolades - Neurology

Congratulations to the members of the Department of Neurology who received accolades through the Supporting a Fair Environment (SAFE) program! SAFE aims to improve the learning environment by promoting positive behaviors and managing concerns about learner mistreatment and unprofessional behaviors. SAFE accolades include treating others with dignity and respect, creating an environment that values diversity, […]

Breathing disruptions during sleep widespread in newborns with severe spina bifida (Links to an external site)

NICU baby laying on their stomach

Children with spina bifida, a malformation of the spinal cord that can lead to mobility impairments and hydrocephalus — a buildup of fluid in the brain — face significant risk of cognitive difficulties throughout their lives. A new multi-center study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Michigan Medicine […]

This Is the Optimal Way to Nap, According to Sleep Experts (Links to an external site)

Woman sleeping in bed with her arms crossed over her face

“Napping is not inherently a bad idea,” as long as you’re able to do it right, says Yo-El S. Ju, MD, a sleep physician scientist and Barbara Burton and Reuben Morriss III professor of neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine. If you can’t beat the post-lunch slump, a quick nap might help you […]

WashU Medicine Neurology Designated GLUT1 Collaborative Care Center of Excellence

Liu Lin Thio

The GLUT1 Deficiency Foundation has designated WashU Medicine / St. Louis Children’s Hospital as a GLUT1 Collaborative Care Center of Excellence. This prestigious designation places WashU Medicine Neurology among only 25 such centers worldwide. GLUT1 deficiency is a rare genetic disorder affecting the movement of glucose across the blood-brain barrier, leading to various neurological challenges. […]

WashU startups attract record-setting $1.7 billion in private-sector investment over past year (Links to an external site)

Inside Wugen laboratory, people in white lab coats and purple gloves work at various lab stations.

Startup companies built on Washington University in St. Louis discoveries attracted a record $1.7 billion in private-sector investment over the past year, accelerating the commercialization of WashU innovations into life-changing diagnostics, therapeutics and medical devices. Among those innovations are a blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease; immunotherapies to treat aggressive blood cancers; and an AI-based […]

Stimulant ADHD medications work differently than thought (Links to an external site)

Brain scan rotating to show brain areas involved in wakefulness and reward.

Prescription stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are widely used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including in children. In the U.S., about 3.5 million kids ages 3 to 17 take an ADHD medication, a number that has increased as more children have been diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disorder.