How can we tell if an Alzheimer's drug working? Right now, that requires a costly brain scan. WashU Medicine researchers found a way that could one day offer a simpler answer. See the story > https://bit.ly/3TUVyYl

Blood proteins reveal effects of Alzheimer's drug | WashU Medicine

Researchers find changes during anti-amyloid treatment that may indicate treatment response and inform clinical decision-making.

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A life-threatening tumor threatened a 10-year-old's livelihood — until a chance meeting led him to St. Louis Children's Hospital, where four WashU Medicine specialized surgeons worked as one to give him back his future.

Jeffrey Gordon, MD, has transformed our understanding of the gut microbiome’s role in human health. His work has led to real solutions for one of our most pressing global health challenges: childhood malnutrition.

National Academy of Sciences@nasonline.org · 2w ago

To nourish a growing child, we may need to nourish the microbes within them. For #MalnutritionAwarenessWeek, Jeffrey Gordon of @washumedicine.bsky.social discusses how the gut microbiome shapes healthy growth and how this insight could transform nutritional therapy: www.nasonline.org/news/beyond-...

NEW: WashU Medicine researchers found they could predict a sudden, often fatal illness in preemies, up to 8 days before symptoms appeared — opening a critical window to intervene. See the story > https://bit.ly/46tJzDO

Gut microbiome features predict devastating disease affecting preemies | WashU Medicine

The findings of a WashU Medicine study could help pave the way for earlier intervention against necrotizing enterocolitis.

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Mental health touches all of us, but it's not always talked about that way. Hear real insights from WashU Medicine physicians and counselors in PBS Nine's Things We Don't Talk About series — because the first step to better care is honest conversation. https://bit.ly/46ATFD7

Up to 33% of older adults experience depression before surgery, yet mental health is not always a focus of routine pre-op care. See how researchers at WashU Medicine are changing that through a new clinical trial that pairs coaching with medication. https://bit.ly/4r4xUon

Mental health care before, after surgery improves recovery in older adults | WashU Medicine

A WashU Medicine clinical trial supports adding mental health coaching and medication cleanup to routine pre-surgical care.

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WashU Medicine researchers may have found a way to stop the inflammation that drives brain tissue damage in Alzheimer’s before it reaches the brain — a discovery that could open the door to a whole new class of targeted treatments. See the story > https://bit.ly/4ibMfNt

Key path to Alzheimer’s-like brain damage starts outside the brain | WashU Medicine

WashU Medicine researchers reduced Alzheimer’s-like neurodegeneration in mice by preventing immune cells from traveling to the brain.

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Missouri resident Darrell Bosworth's liver and kidney transplant at Barnes-Jewish Hospital was history making: WashU Medicine surgeons completed both procedures robotically — the first-ever reported for a double transplant. See the story > https://bit.ly/4iISb0B

WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center perform breakthrough robotic liver-kidney transplant | WashU Medicine

The first reported robotic double transplant of a liver and kidney was performed by WashU Medicine surgeons operating in the Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center.

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WashU Medicine researchers are revealing new paths forward for metabolic health — beyond just weight loss.

Inc. Magazine@inc.com · last mo.

While all three diets improved participants' metabolic health, one delivered extra benefits in terms of liver fat, blood-sugar control, and insulin levels. trib.al/dDSBgXV

Early detection is key to slowing Alzheimer's progression. The FDA just cleared C2N Diagnostics' PrecivityAD2 blood test — built on WashU Medicine research — offering 90%+ accuracy and expanding access to earlier diagnosis. https://bit.ly/4wJriNz

FDA clears blood test to aid evaluation for Alzheimer’s disease | WashU Medicine

The blood-based biomarker test is based on technology developed at WashU Medicine by Randall Bateman, MD, and David Holtzman, MD.

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What if your skull wasn't just protecting your brain, but played a part in fighting for it? @jonykipnis.bsky.social and team discovered an internal "security team" that changes how we think about brain cancer defence — see the story. https://bit.ly/4qpNSJo

Newly found ‘immune organ’ inside skull directs brain defense | WashU Medicine

The discovery may offer a new way to fight brain cancer and neurodegenerative disease, WashU Medicine researchers report.

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For hard-to-reach brain tumors, minimally invasive laser therapy offers patients hope — and a new WashU Medicine study reveals the key to maximizing patient survival: timing and extent of tumor removal. See the story: https://bit.ly/4igPpiR

Laser therapy offers weapon against deadly brain tumors | WashU Medicine

A large analysis of patient outcomes shows that the extent of tumor ablation and timing of treatment extend survival.

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Deep inside the brain, a tiny cluster of cells acts as the body's natural pain reliever. But nerve damage can hijack this system, turning it into an engine for chronic pain — and our researchers figured out how to shut it off. https://bit.ly/4bSJ7Ca

Scientists identify brain's brake that shuts off chronic pain | WashU Medicine

Findings from a mouse study by WashU Medicine researchers could lead to targeted treatments for chronic nerve pain.

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Tim Ley, MD pioneered sequencing cancer genomes at WashU Medicine, transforming precision medicine. For his sustained leadership in cancer research, Ley has been elected to @amphilsociety.bsky.social. https://bit.ly/4wYIiAj #CancerResearch

Ley elected to the American Philosophical Society | WashU Medicine

A professor medicine and of genetics at WashU Medicine, Timothy Ley led the team that sequenced the first cancer genome.

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“Our goal is to use brain imaging and data about child development to inform pediatricians, families — everyone involved in kids’ lives — about how best to help children cope with sensory challenges and thrive in a loud, bright, chaotic world.” - @schwarzlose.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4wTQQs3

Sensory overload in kids has distinct neurobiological roots | WashU Medicine

A new study identifies brain differences tied to sensory distress in children, which is often linked to anxiety and autism.

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Scientists know experiencing severe stress during childhood leaves a person more vulnerable to anxiety and depression later in life. Now research in mice reveals how early-life trauma literally scars brain cells, which might open the door to new treatments. https://bit.ly/4bDfjcG

How early-life stress leaves a ‘scar’ inside brain cells | WashU Medicine

A mouse study finds changes to DNA packaging form a molecular memory of trauma, making the brain vulnerable to future stress.

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For decades, scientists couldn't figure out how nearly 70% of our body's essential proteins actually work. That's about to change — thanks to a new system developed here. https://bit.ly/4hE67s8

A practical approach to fighting childhood obesity: “When children and parents develop skills together and the home and social environments reinforce those changes, the benefits can extend across the household and support lasting change as children grow.” https://bit.ly/4x5C7Kb

Proven childhood obesity treatment also works at pediatrician’s office | WashU Medicine

A family-based behavioral intervention helped nearly half of kids in a clinical trial reach a healthier weight.

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The right team. The right place. The right doctor. Right here in St. Louis. Congratulations to our physicians named to St. Louis Magazine's Top Doctors issue — on shelves this week.

From discovery to treatment: A powerful new collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb looks to accelerate neuroscience research into innovative therapies for patients while expanding training for the next generation of physician-scientists. https://bit.ly/4wfT0lH

A new approach to improving cancer drugs is clicking into place — read about this groundbreaking research discovery: https://bit.ly/4hkz3VU

New approach to designing drugs supercharges cancer medication | WashU Medicine

WashU Medicine researchers have shown in mice that administering anti-cancer drugs in modular form improves treatment effectiveness

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"What we found is sobering: The gains made elsewhere are not reaching everyone, and it underscores how much the burden of dementia is shaped by the conditions people live in.” Read the full story. https://bit.ly/4f1iPzC

Dementia rising across Latino populations, multidecade study finds | WashU Medicine

Cases of dementia climbed in Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico over two decades, bucking a downward trend seen in many wealthy nations.

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What if the key to the next Alzheimer's breakthrough is already out there but buried in data nobody's looked at? A global consortium co-founded by WashU Medicine is betting AI can find it. https://bit.ly/4pi2x8Q

Global consortium launches AI tools to accelerate Alzheimer’s research, treatments | WashU Medicine

Founding members of the consortium include WashU Medicine, pharmaceutical companies, philanthropic groups and others.

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Many children with malnutrition have an inflammatory disorder that impairs nutrient absorption. New findings suggest this condition may pass from mother to baby via specific gut bacteria — and point to possible targets for prevention. See the story: https://bit.ly/4vTsD4P

Gut bacteria linked to malnutrition may pass to younger generations | WashU Medicine

A mouse study finds inflammatory microbes in mothers that affect fetal growth and the intestinal health of offspring.

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Welcome Dean Levy, a leader with deep St. Louis roots. Together, we are looking ahead with excitement to WashU Medicine's next chapter.

Every minute matters after a bleeding stroke. WashU start-up Aurenar, co-founded by Eric Leuthardt, MD, earned FDA Breakthrough Device designation for their technology V-Link™ — an earbud-like device shown to reduce dangerous complications of a ruptured aneurysm. See the story.

Aid for brain-bleed recovery receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation | WashU Medicine

An earbud-like device from WashU startup Aurenar is designed to improve stroke outcomes after a ruptured brain aneurysm.

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What's driving more early-onset cancer in young adults? New research points to faster biological aging. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4xExzvH

Faster aging in younger generations linked to rise in early-onset cancer | WashU Medicine

Faster aging in younger generations is linked to the rise in early-onset cancers, according to a new analysis.

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Why is there still no vaccine for E. coli or Shigella — two leading causes of diarrheal death in children? Part of the problem: their usual vaccine targets vary too much from strain to strain. New WashU Medicine research points to a way around that. https://bit.ly/4epmqG3

Researchers find a common weakness in major gut pathogens | WashU Medicine

The discovery could lead to a single vaccine against E. coli, Shigella and other causes of severe diarrhea.

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One billion people get the flu every year. Current flu shots help, but what if a vaccine could outsmart mutating strains? An investigational mRNA flu vaccine is showing promise. Check out the full story. https://bit.ly/4owQJzm

mRNA flu vaccine offers immune protection against wide array of influenza virus strains | WashU Medicine

A new study finds the shot, currently in FDA review, could offer broader and longer-lasting protection compared to the standard flu shot.

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Socioeconomic factors like family income and neighborhood resources can have a tremendous impact on a child's life. Can the same factors also influence how their brain develops? New research yields intriguing answers. https://bit.ly/4uzx57c

Socioeconomic factors linked to lasting imprint in kids’ brains | WashU Medicine

Sleep, screen time and stress — but not IQ — are also linked to children’s brain features.

medicine.washu.edu