Recall how long it took, in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, to screen yourself with the gold-standard method, the PCR test: You’d swab your nostrils, hand the swab to the person at the pharmacy or clinic, then wait while they sent it off to a lab for processing. Yes, the result was highly reliable, […]
Category: Research
Researchers define new subtypes of common brain disorder (Links to an external site)
Roughly 4% of the population is affected by a congenital brain malformation that has eluded researchers’ efforts to find causes and treatments. For the condition, Chiari type-1 malformation, the diagnosis is straightforward: the lower part of the brain, known as the cerebellum, protrudes at least five millimeters through the gap in the skull that connects […]
New drug targets for Alzheimer’s identified from cerebrospinal fluid (Links to an external site)
A multitude of genes have been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically how those genes might influence the progression of neurodegeneration remains something of a black box though, in part because of the challenges of examining in molecular detail the brain of a living patient. Using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from living patients, […]
Healthy brains suppress inappropriate immune responses (Links to an external site)
The brain constantly engages in dialogue with the body’s immune system. Such communication appears aimed at ensuring a delicate balance between defending against injury and infection and guarding healthy tissue.
WashU Medicine celebrates first R01 recipients (Links to an external site)
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis celebrated rising investigators at the First R01 Celebration, marking a significant milestone for scientists embarking on their independent research careers. The event honored recipients of their first R01 research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The research grants represent the NIH’s recognition of investigators’ rigorous, […]
Memory Loss Isn’t the Only Sign of Dementia (Links to an external site)
Running red lights. Falling for scams. Shutting out friends. Memory loss is the most well-known symptom of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. But experts say there are other warning signs that can signal early brain changes — ones that are especially important for types of dementia where forgetfulness is not the primary symptom.
Novel immunotherapy improves recovery from spinal cord injury (Links to an external site)
Severe injuries to the spinal cord damage nerve cells, disrupt communication with the brain and rest of the body, and lead to lasting disabilities for millions of people worldwide. The injury itself accounts for only a fraction of the overall damage inflicted on the spinal cord, tissue that runs from the brain stem to the […]
Adding anti-clotting drugs to stroke care ineffective, clinical trial finds (Links to an external site)
Stroke patients who survive a blood clot in the brain’s blood vessels are prone to developing new blockages during their recovery periods, even if they receive vessel-clearing interventions. In an effort to avoid further clots, doctors at 57 sites around the U.S. tested a possible solution: the addition of anti-coagulant drugs to medicine that dissolves […]
Multiple sclerosis appears to protect against Alzheimer’s disease (Links to an external site)
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are far less likely than those without the condition to have the molecular hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The discovery suggests a new avenue of research through which to seek Alzheimer’s treatments, said Matthew Brier, MD, PhD, an assistant […]
Blood tests for Alzheimer’s may be coming to your doctor’s office. Here’s what to know (Links to an external site)
New blood tests could help doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s disease faster and more accurately, researchers reported Sunday – but some appear to work far better than others. It’s tricky to tell if memory problems are caused by Alzheimer’s. That requires confirming one of the disease’s hallmark signs — buildup of a sticky protein called beta-amyloid — with a hard-to-get brain […]