Brain tumors occur often in kids with common genetic syndrome (Links to an external site)

Washington University School of Medicine •
Stephanie Morris, MD, examines Henry Shrinivas, 1. Both Henry and his sister Sophie, 2, have been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF1), a common genetic syndrome. A new study shows that children with NF1 are much more likely to have brain tumors than previously thought.

The frequency of brain tumors has been underestimated in children with the common genetic syndrome neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), according to a new study. This disorder is characterized by birthmarks on the skin and benign nerve tumors that develop in or on the skin. Brain tumors also are known to occur in children and adults […]

New ALS therapy in clinical trials (Links to an external site)

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis •
Robert Bucelli, MD, PhD, measures Gregory Easter's neuromuscular function. Easter, who has an inherited form of amytrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal neuromuscular disease, is taking part in a clinical trial to evaluate an experimental drug. New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows the drug extends survival and reverses some neuromuscular damage in mice and rats and may help people whose disease is caused by mutations in the gene SOD1.

About 20,000 people in the United States are living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The invariably fatal disease kills the nerve cells that control walking, eating and breathing. Few people survive more than three years after diagnosis.

Before it begins (Links to an external site)

Outlook Magazine •
Beau Ances, MD, PhD, MSc, second from left, becomes an endowed professor. Joining in on the celebration are (from left): David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine; Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton; and Daniel J. Brennan II.

Abequest by the late Daniel J. Brennan, MD, is supporting significant advancements in Alzheimer’s disease research at the School of Medicine. The disease affects 5.5 million Americans — a number expected to climb rapidly as people live longer. Following Brennan’s death in 2010, the estate gift created the Daniel J. Brennan, MD, Research Fund in […]

Can fasting improve MS symptoms? (Links to an external site)

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis •
Laura Piccio, MD, talks with DeAnna Clark during a checkup. Clark, who has MS, is participating in a study led by Piccio to evaluate whether partial fasting can benefit people with MS.

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) can find an abundance of conflicting advice suggesting that special diets – everything from avoiding processed foods to going low-carb – will ease their symptoms. But the evidence is scanty that dietary changes can improve fatigue or other MS symptoms.

Decades of dedication lead to drug trial for rare, fatal illness (Links to an external site)

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis •
John P. Atkinson, MD, (right) talks with patient Kim Morey, of Bentonville, Ark., a participant in the first clinical trial evaluating a potential drug therapy for a rare, fatal disease called retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukodystrophy (RVCL). Atkinson, who directs the RVCL Research Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is leading the trial and has played a key role in research to describe the disease and develop a genetic test to identify it.

When Kim Morey was a young girl, a mysterious illness affected her family, striking relatives one by one at around the age of 40, she recalled. “My dad’s grandmother had it, and then his mother and her sisters,” Morey said. “Then my dad’s cousin. And soon after that, my dad started showing symptoms.”

Drugs that suppress immune system may protect against Parkinson’s (Links to an external site)

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis •
Parkinson's disease is caused by the injury or death of brain cells known as dopaminergic neurons (shown here in a computer-generated image). A new study shows that people who take drugs that suppress the immune system are less likely to develop the disease, which is characterized by difficulty with movement.

People who take drugs that suppress the immune system are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, according to a study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The findings, published May 31 in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, suggest that a person’s own immune system helps nudge him or her down the […]

Lee named Stupp Professor of Neurology (Links to an external site)

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis •
Jin-Moo Lee, MD, PhD, (center) has been named the Norman J. Stupp Professor of Neurology in recognition of his contributions to stroke research. Shown at his installation are (from left) John C. Morris, MD; David Holtzman, MD; Lee; David H. Perlmutter, MD, dean of the School of Medicine and executive vice chancellor for medical affairs; and Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton.

Stroke neurologist Jin-Moo Lee, MD, PhD, has been named the Norman J. Stupp Professor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He studies how the brain “rewires” itself after injury to find ways to enhance recovery.

Miller receives Essey award from neurological society (Links to an external site)

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis •

Timothy Miller, MD, PhD, the Clayson Professor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received the 2018 Sheila Essey Award from the American Academy of Neurology. The award includes $50,000 to support his work on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Miller received the award April […]

Ances installed as inaugural Brennan Professor (Links to an external site)

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis •
Beau Ances, MD, PhD (left) and Dan Brennan II shake hands after Ances' installation as the Daniel J. Brennan, MD, Professor of Neurology. The professorship is funded by a bequest from Brennan's father.

Beau M. Ances, MD, PhD, has been named the inaugural Daniel J. Brennan, MD, Professor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Using state-of-the-art imaging techniques, he works to develop diagnostic tools and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. He was installed by Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive […]