Set amid a thriving metropolitan region of 2.6 million residents, the University benefits from the vast array of social, cultural, and recreational opportunities offered by the St. Louis area. Bordered on the east by St. Louis' famed Forest Park and on the north, west, and south by well-established suburbs, the 169-acre Hilltop Campus features predominantly Collegiate Gothic architecture, including a number of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Biodefense research is focus of new Midwest Center

27 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The United States Department of Health and Human Services announced today that Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will anchor a multi-institutional Midwest Regional Center for Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research. The center will be funded by a five-year, $35 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Mouse model offers new explanation for kidney disease and failure

27 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Mice lacking only one copy of the gene for CD2-associated protein appear to be significantly more susceptible to kidney disease and failure than normal mice. Moreover, the mutation appears to impair the elimination of proteins that accumulate in the kidney, a previously unidentified process.

Treatment for depression in heart attack patients fails to improve survival

27 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A team of researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., the Harvard School of Public Health and several other clinical centers around the United States has found that treating depression and social isolation in recent heart attack patients does not reduce the risk of death or second heart attack.

New study - Treatment for depression in heart attack patients fails to improve survival

26 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A team of researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., the Harvard School of Public Health and several other clinical centers around the United States has found that treating depression and social isolation in recent heart attack patients does not reduce the risk of death or second heart attack.

Researchers image cells’ garbage disposal unit in living cells

26 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have imaged the activity of an important component of the cell’s garbage-disposal system in living cells and in whole animals. Defects in the component, known as a proteasome, are associated with cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and other disorders.

New approach could restore reading vision

26 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists at the Veterans Affairs Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are developing a gel-like material that eventually could be used to replace diseased and aging lenses in the eyes of patients with cataracts. The material also might eventually mean the end of bifocals and contact lenses for millions of people who suffer from presbyopia, literally 'old vision', a condition that makes it difficult for people over 40 to read without magnification.

Transplantation of embryonic pancreatic tissue controls Type I Diabetes in rats

25 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis When researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis transplanted early embryonic pancreatic tissue into the abdomens of adult rats with type I diabetes, the animals developed organs that produced insulin and controlled blood-sugar levels. The animals were cured of their diabetes for the duration of the experiment, which lasted 15 weeks.

Research suggests how steroids cause diabetes and hypertension

25 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Steroids called glucocorticoids are critical for treating diseases such as asthma, arthritis and pain syndromes, but they also can trigger diabetes and hypertension. Research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis now shows why these commonly used drugs have such dangerous side effects.

National emphysema results confirm Washington University findings

25 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Cooper pioneered lung-volume reduction surgery in 1993, in which surgeons remove heavily damaged portions of lungs in patients with severe emphysema. Results from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial, conducted independently of Washington University, will be presented May 20 at the American Thoracic Society’s International Conference in Seattle.

Washington University Physicians investigate artificial disc replacement

24 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Washington University Physicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis are testing an investigational treatment for cervical disc disease that involves replacing a diseased spinal disc in the neck with an artificial one.

Drug for bone loss triggers first known case of drug-induced Osteopetrosis

24 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A drug used to treat bone loss associated with diseases such as osteoporosis has caused a child to develop an unhealthy, dense skeleton characteristic of a condition called osteopetrosis, or marble bone disease.

Molecule found to be critical for kidney development

24 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis By taking advantage of techniques developed in the search for Alzheimer’s treatments, a team of researchers has discovered that a molecule called Notch is essential for the development of critical kidney cells. The study, published online and in the journal Development, provides key information about kidney development that could have implications for tissue regeneration.

Driving performance declines with dementia and age

23 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis In one of the first studies to track driving performance over time in older adults, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that driving abilities predictably worsen in individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease and, to a lesser extent, in older adults without dementia.

Researchers find engthening achilles tendon reduces recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers

23 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Some people with diabetes struggle with ulcers forming on the bottom of their feet; worse yet, many of these ulcers come back after treatment. A study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis demonstrates that a surgical procedure to lengthen the Achilles tendons of patients with diabetes significantly reduces the risk of ulcer recurrence.

Pain management: Rapid increase of opioids benefits some dying pediatric cancer patients

23 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that terminally ill children with cancer who have neuropathic pain require more opioids during the final days of life than those without neuropathic pain.

Researchers discover gene that contributes to sense of balance

22 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis “Loss of balance is a significant problem in the elderly because it can lead to dangerous falls and injuries,” says one of the study’s principal investigators, David M. Ornitz, M.D., Ph.D., professor of molecular biology and pharmacology at the School of Medicine. “Loss of balance also is a problem for astronauts following exposure to zero gravity. Now that we’ve discovered this new gene, we can begin to understand the mechanisms that allow the body to sense gravity and maintain balance.”

Antidepressant drugs may protect brain from damage due to depression

22 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Studying women with histories of clinical depression, investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that the use of antidepressant drugs appears to protect a key brain structure often damaged by depression.

Brain-fluid sampling gives glimpse into Alzheimer’s disease

22 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A team led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, in collaboration with researchers at Eli Lilly and Co. in Indianapolis, have developed a new technique that, for the first time, provides a way to dynamically study proteins known to be related to Alzheimer’s disease in the fluid between brain cells, called interstitial fluid.

New Model of Alzheimer's Enzyme May Help Refine Future Treatments

21 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis An international team of scientists led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that the enzyme largely responsible for the development of Alzheimer's disease may work in a different way than previously thought.

One gene controls development of all serotonin cells

21 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Mice missing a gene called Lmx1b do not produce the important brain chemical serotonin, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. This is the first evidence that one gene controls development of all cells that produce serotonin in the central nervous system, marking significant progress in understanding this critical nervous system pathway.

Atkins’ dieters lose more and improve lipids over conventional dieters

21 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis In the first multicenter trial to look at the high-fat, low-carbohydrate Atkins’ diet, researchers have found that at three and six months, the Atkins’ diet produces significantly greater weight loss than a conventional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet.

Brain areas involved in reading change during development

20 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Children, adolescents and adults use their brains differently during a simple reading task, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, the team identified 17 brain regions that distinguish the three age groups.

Diabetes and heart disease risk is unchanged after fat is removed

20 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Liposuction is no substitute for dieting when it comes to preventing diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Gene linked to both alcoholism and depression

20 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A national team of investigators led by psychiatric geneticists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified a gene that appears to be linked to both alcoholism and depression.

Study to determine if miscarriages can be prevented

19 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are seeking women who have had two or more unexplained first trimester miscarriages to evaluate an experimental treatment to help women carry babies to term.

Newly grown kidneys sustain life in rats

19 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Growing new organs to take the place of damaged or diseased ones is moving from science fiction to reality, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Implanted Stimulator for Parkinson's Disease Impairs Cognitive Function

19 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that stimulating the brain's subthalamic nucleus to control motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease has an unintended consequence: It interferes with cognitive function. When given cognitive tests, patients performed better when their stimulators were turned off than when they were turned on.

Researchers identify key risk factor for cataracts

18 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Ophthalmology researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a key risk factor for the development of cataracts. For the first time, they have demonstrated an association between loss of gel in the eye's vitreous body, the gel that lies between the back of the lens and the retina, and the formation of nuclear cataracts, the most common type of age-related cataracts.

Longevity study will investigate exceptionally long and healthy lives

18 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will head an ambitious study of people who live exceptionally long and healthy lives to identify the factors that account for their longevity.

Lack of immune system protein prevents lupus-like condition in mice

18 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Removal of an immune system signaling protein prevents the development of a lupus-like condition in mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the National Institutes of Health have found.

Scientists discover new intricacies in how ulcer bugs stick to stomach

17 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists working to develop a vaccine for the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the primary cause of ulcers and a contributor to stomach cancers, have uncovered new intricacies in the way the bacterium sticks to the lining of the human stomach.

Genetically modified parasite reveals new details of immune system's memory

17 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Pennsylvania have found an immune system cell can 'remember' a parasite's attack and help the body mount a more effective defense against subsequent invasions by the same parasite.

Thyroid cancer study simplifies follow-up exams for patients

17 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis An unpleasant postoperative procedure for thyroid cancer patients who have had their thyroid glands surgically removed may be unnecessary for most patients, according to Washington University researchers at Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Protein may help prevent autoimmune attacks

16 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A possibly important ally of the immune system that can help with the tricky task of separating friend from foe has been identified by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Scientists close in on nerve proteins' contributions to memory and hearing loss

16 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis In a finding that may one day help researchers better understand age-related memory and hearing loss, scientists have shown that two key nervous system proteins interact in a manner that helps regulate the transmission of signals in the nervous system.

Firefly compound lights up 'protein dance' in living animals

16 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Radiologists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a first-of-its-kind noninvasive imaging technique that allows them to watch two proteins interacting in live animals.

Longevity protein may slow many neurodegenerative disorders

15 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A protein linked to increased lifespan in yeast and worms also can delay the degeneration of ailing nerve cell branches, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Diabetic tissue damage may be explained by controversial theory

15 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A controversial theory about how diabetes causes extensive tissue damage will appear in the November issue of Diabetes. At stake in the heated debate over the theory are researchers' efforts to find new ways to reduce loss of vision, kidney failure, heart damage and other side effects of diabetes.

Patient benefits outweigh gown costs in intensive care unit

15 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Requiring hospital workers and patient families to wear protective gowns when they visit patients with a drug-resistant bacteria provides infection control benefits that significantly outweigh gown costs, according to a new study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Laproscopic colon cancer surgery is effective and less invasive

14 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Getting treated for a common type of cancer just became easier: An international team of surgeons including two at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has determined that minimally invasive surgery is as safe and effective as standard open surgery for most patients with cancer confined to the colon.

Gut microbes can open gates in fat cells

14 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The microorganisms that normally live in the gut can increase body fat, say researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. They found that gut microbes can open the 'gates' fat uses to enter the body's fat cells.

Scientists suspect existing seizure, nerve pain drug may also treat tinnitus

14 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Millions of people with severe tinnitus currently have little hope for quick relief from the unrelenting ringing or buzzing noises the disorder produces. But scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suspect a drug already approved for seizure disorders and chronic nerve pain also can help silence the noises that plague tinnitus patients.

Neurotransmitters signal aggressive cancer, offer potential for early diagnosis

14 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Nerves talk to each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters. One of those 'communication chemicals,' aptly named gamma amino butyric acid, shows up in unusually high amounts in some aggressive tumors, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

New study helps doctors decide when it's safe to deliver a baby

13 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis If a woman goes into labor before her baby is full term, her obstetrician must make a crucial recommendation: delay labor or allow it to continue. Delivering the baby prematurely may increase the baby's risk of suffering from neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.

Scientists first to grow common cause of food poisoning in the lab

13 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have become the first to successfully grow a norovirus in the lab. In humans, noroviruses are a highly contagious source of diarrhea, vomiting and other stomach upset that made headlines two years ago after a series of repeated outbreaks on cruise ships. These viruses are a major cause of human disease worldwide.

First analysis of chicken genome offers many new insights

12 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The first detailed analysis of the chicken genome has identified a chicken counterpart to an important human immune system protein, revised scientists' assessment of the chicken's sense of smell, and suggested that the chicken, long used to study gene activity in the earliest stages of life, may provide a good model for studying changes in DNA linked to aging and death.

Closing in on a vaccine for breast cancer

12 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Progress toward development of a breast cancer vaccine has been reported by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine and the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis.

Mouse brain tumors mimic those in human genetic disorder

12 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A recently developed mouse model of brain tumors common in the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis 1 successfully mimics the human condition and provides unique insight into tumor development, diagnosis and treatment, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Blocking cell suicide switch fails to stop prion damage in mouse brains

11 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers knew that prions, the misfolded proteins that cause mad cow disease and other brain disorders, were killing off a class of important brain cells in a transgenic mouse model. But when they found a way to rescue those cells, they were astonished to discover the mice still became sick.

Effective therapies for bipolar children sought through TEAM study

11 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Child psychiatry researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are investigating the effectiveness of several therapies for children with bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive illness.

Kinder, gentler procedure gives superior results for stem cell transplants

11 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis An improved stem cell transplant regimen that is well-tolerated and has a high success rate has been developed by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The procedure holds promise for treatment of blood and bone marrow disorders, immune dysfunction and certain metabolic disorders.

Brain tumor study reveals why treatment efforts fail in genetic disorder

10 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Drugs used to treat the tumors common in people with a disorder called neurofibromatosis 1 rarely work, and scientists now know why. The chemotherapy drugs target a group of related proteins, call RAS proteins, which are thought to be responsible for these tumors. But researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that the disease affects only one member of the protein family, and it happens to be the one form of RAS that does not respond well to these particular treatments.

Heart responds to fasting by remodeling vital energy-producing components

10 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a previously unsuspected response by mouse heart muscle cells to fasting conditions: the cells' power generators, the mitochondria, appear to remodel and consume extra internal walls or membranes in an effort to supply energy to the rest of the cell.

Random gene activation helps ulcer bug escape immune system

09 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The bacterium that causes ulcers and contributes to stomach cancers uses a clever interaction between two genes to randomly tighten and loosen its grip on the stomach, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Umeå University in Sweden.

Potentially harmful fluoride levels found in some instant teas

09 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Research suggests some instant teas may contain excessive levels of fluoride. Instant tea, one of the most popular drinks in the United States, may be a source of harmful levels of fluoride, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report. The researchers found that some regular strength preparations contain as much as 6.5 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride, well over the 4 ppm maximum allowed in drinking water by the Environmental Protection Agency and 2.4 ppm permitted in bottled water and beverages by the Food and Drug Administration.

Old drug holds promise against childhood brain tumors, mouse model shows

09 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists studying a common childhood brain tumor have uncovered a pleasant surprise: evidence that the tumors may be vulnerable to a class of drugs that has been in use for years.

Study evaluates Botox injections for treating diabetic foot ulcers

08 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are seeking volunteers to participate in a study to determine if botulinum toxin injections can help heal diabetic foot ulcers.

Anti-seizure drugs slow aging in worms: nervous system may regulate aging

08 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A class of anti-seizure medications slows the rate of aging in roundworms, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. When exposed to drugs used to treat epilepsy in humans, worms lived longer and retained youthful functions longer than normal.

Abdominal fat decreases, insulin action improves when elderly take hormone

08 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis In a six-month study of elderly people, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone significantly reduced abdominal fat and improved insulin action. This finding suggests that DHEA may be able to counter the increase in abdominal fat and accompanying increased risk for diabetes that very often occurs as we grow older.

Obesity risk factors sought through genetic analysis

07 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis In the midst of the growing epidemic of obesity, a group of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has dived into the human gene pool to look for solutions. The group recently identified genetic variations unique to obese men and are now embarking on a wider search to find additional genes linked to obesity.

Nanoparticles offer new hope for detection and treatment

07 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Specially designed nanoparticles can reveal tiny cancerous tumors that are invisible by ordinary means of detection, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

New SARS protein linked to important cell doorway

07 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Washington University researchers identified the instructions for building a potentially important protein in the genome of the SARS virus. Shown here are a diagram of the protein's structure and an image from an experiment that proved SARS makes the protein in infected cells.

Oxygen near lens linked to cataracts in eye surgery patients

06 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis In a new study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report the culprit may be oxygen.

Smart wristband designed to prevent wrong-site surgery

06 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis In the near future, an alarm sounding outside the operating room door may have surgeons reaching for their pens. That's because a new device has been designed to alert the surgical team if a patient's incision site hasn't been marked. Invented by a physician at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the device, a wristband that enforces surgical-site marking, should help eliminate wrong-site surgeries.

Enzyme?s newly discovered role may make it target for arthritis treatment

06 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists have found a new role for a previously identified enzyme that may make it a target for anti-inflammatory treatments.

Fruit fly brain study confirms complexity of neurodevelopment

05 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis For years, two schools of thought have dominated neurobiologists' theories about how early nerve cells develop specialties that allow the assembly of a mature brain.

Protein prevents tissue injury but encourages tumor growth

05 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis You win some, you lose some. A protein that protects the body from tissue damage also increases the risk of tumors, according to a study conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Moderate reduction of the protein level protects against tumor formation but increases susceptibility to tissue injury.

Pomegranate juice for moms may help babies resist brain injury

05 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Expectant mothers at risk of premature birth may want to consider drinking pomegranate juice to help their babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen and reduced blood flow, a new mouse study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests.

Protein that regulates aging may provide key to new diabetes therapies

04 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Opening the possibility of new therapies for type 2 diabetes, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a protein called Sirt1 enhances the secretion of insulin in mice and allows them to better control blood glucose levels.

Gene therapy completely corrects hemophilia in laboratory animals

04 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Newborn mice and dogs with hemophilia A were restored to normal health through gene therapy developed by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The technique introduced into the animals' cells a gene that makes clotting factor VIII, a protein missing because of a genetic defect.

Researchers closing in on the genetic structure of autism and related disorders

03 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The researchers are learning how autism is inherited, and to identify genetic factors, they're studying families and looking for traits that normally aren't considered autistic but have connections to autism risk. Several studies have demonstrated that autism has a strong genetic component. If one child in a family is autistic, there's about a 10 percent chance that a sibling also will have autism.

With ATV injuries on the rise, WUSTL pediatricians aim to reduce traumatic accidents

03 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Most parents would never consider letting their 6-year-old child ride on the back of a motorcycle, yet many adults don't think twice about letting kids ride all-terrain vehicles.

Newly completed chimp genome helps scientists learn more about human DNA

03 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Sequencing the human genome was not the end of the Human Genome Project, says Richard Wilson.Comparing the human genome to the chimpanzee genome has allowed scientists to identify changes in the human genetic code that were so advantageous that they rapidly became the norm throughout humanity.

Study finds most students gain weight during early college years

02 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis College students talk about the 'Freshman 15.' That's the typical number of credit hours a full-time student takes during a semester. Some also claim it's the number of pounds students gain eating dorm food and studying all night.

Newly discovered branding process helps immune system pick its fights

02 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists have uncovered a new method the immune system uses to label foreign invaders as targets to be attacked. Researchers showed that the immune system can brand foreign proteins by chemically modifying their structure, and that these modifications increased the chances that cells known as lymphocytes would recognize the trespassers and attack them.

Pilot study finds poorer outcomes for African-Americans with rheumatoid arthritis

02 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A pilot study comparing the results of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in African-Americans and Caucasians has revealed that African-Americans are more likely to suffer pain and disability from the disorder.

Thyroid cancer trial will test promising new drug called 17AAG

01 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A promising new anti-cancer drug will be tested against several forms of thyroid cancer in a newly opened clinical trial at the Siteman Cancer Center of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Previous research showed that the compound, called 17AAG, has the unusual ability to simultaneously affect multiple proteins implicated in human cancers.

Enhancing innate immunity improves Crohn's disease symptoms

01 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Like throwing oil on a fire or prescribing a high cholesterol diet for heart patients, gastroenterologists traditionally have believed that it would not be a good idea to stoke up the body's immune system to treat Crohn's disease. Most treatments for Crohn's, an autoimmune disorder, are geared to suppress the immune response, but a new study demonstrates that stimulating innate immunity also is effective at improving symptoms in many patients with the intestinal disorder.

Protein serves as motor and steering wheel for regenerating nerves

01 August 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A protein that helps the ends of growing nerve cells push forward is also involved in guidance of the nerve branches, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

New online atlas provides collective maps of human brain folds

31 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Neuroscientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have assembled a first-of-its kind atlas of the folds of the cerebral cortex, the wrinkled surface layer of the brain credited with many of the higher cognitive functions that make us human. The atlas, known as the Population-Average, Landmark and Surface-based Atlas, links brain functions to the various peaks and valleys of the cortex.

Brain networks may be key to odd attention deficit produced by some strokes

31 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The first direct analysis of the interactions between two brain networks that govern visual attention may help researchers working to develop treatments for stroke patients with a condition known as spatial neglect.

License to kill enables powerful immune attack cells in mice

31 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists have discovered that a group of important immune system cells has a surprising resemblance to cinematic British superspy James Bond: the cells receive a 'license' that allows them to unleash their most potent attacks on enemies.

New online atlas provides collective maps of human brain folds

30 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Neuroscientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have assembled a first-of-its kind atlas of the folds of the cerebral cortex, the wrinkled surface layer of the brain credited with many of the higher cognitive functions that make us human. The atlas, known as the Population-Average, Landmark and Surface-based Atlas, links brain functions to the various peaks and valleys of the cortex.

Brain scan, cerebrospinal fluid analysis may help predict Alzheimer's

30 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A combination of brain scanning with a new imaging agent and cerebrospinal fluid analysis has left neuroscientists encouraged that they may finally be moving toward techniques for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease before its clinical symptoms become apparent.

Rapid emotional recovery of breast cancer survivors surprises researchers

30 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Contrary to psychologists' expectations, breast cancer survivors don't experience an extended emotional crisis after their treatment regimens end, according to a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The study appears in the December issue of Supportive Care in Cancer.

Yoga and exercise to reduce metabolic problems in people living with HIV

29 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis As the New Year begins, millions of people are resolving to exercise more. A team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis hopes that similar lifestyle changes will help HIV-positive people avoid metabolic and cardiovascular problems associated with HIV and anti-HIV drugs.

Researchers use brain scans to predict behavior

29 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis By peering into the minds of volunteers preparing to play a brief visual game, neuroscientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found they can predict whether the volunteers will succeed or fail at the game.

Secrets to antibody's success against West Nile Virus surprise scientists

29 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A monoclonal antibody that can effectively treat mice infected with West Nile virus has an intriguing secret: Contrary to scientists' expectations, it does not block the virus's ability to attach to host cells. Instead, the antibody somehow stops the infectious process at a later point.

Big picture of brain changes may be crucial to recovery from stroke injury

28 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A study of patients who have difficulty paying attention to the left side of their environment has provided some of the first direct evidence that brain injury can cause detrimental functional changes in brain regions far from the site of the actual injury.

Researchers identify bipolar disorder in preschoolers

28 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Child psychiatry researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a small group of preschoolers who appear to suffer from bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness. The findings, presented this fall at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, highlight symptoms that distinguish bipolar disorder from other mental health problems in very young children.

Variation in bitter-taste receptor gene increases risk for alcoholism

28 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A team of researchers, led by investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has found that a gene variant for a bitter-taste receptor on the tongue is associated with an increased risk for alcohol dependence.

Region of DNA strongly associated with Alzheimer?s disease

27 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis An international team of researchers, led by investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, are zeroing in on a gene that increases risk for Alzheimer's disease. They have identified a region of chromosome 10 that appears to be involved in risk for the disease that currently affects an estimated 4.5 million Americans.

Role of DNA-repair protein suggests strategy to knock out cancer

27 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis To remain healthy, all cells must quickly mend any breaks that arise in their DNA strands. But cancer cells are particularly dependent on a process called homologous recombination to repair DNA and stay alive.

Missouri genetic disorder's roots untangled by international team

27 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The researchers discovered a rare change in the DNA of two eastern Missouri families with a history of a condition called X-linked recessive idiopathic hypoparathyroidism: a portion of the X chromosome, a human sex chromosome, has been removed and replaced by a copy of a much larger section of genetic material from chromosome 2. Alterations of such large regions of genetic code that stably pass from one generation to the next are generally rare and have never before been observed in the human X chromosome.

Light-sensing cells in retina develop before vision

26 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that cells making up a non-visual system in the eye are in place and functioning long before the rods and cones that process light into vision. The discovery should help scientists learn more about the eye's non-visual functions such as the synchronization of the body's internal, circadian clock, the pupil's responses to light and light-regulated release of hormones.

Molecular drug pump may help reduce risk of Alzheimer's

26 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A molecule that has long been an obstacle to cancer chemotherapy and drug treatments for brain disorders may soon become an ally in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Rochester.

Common blood thinner increases risk of bone fracture

26 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Elderly patients taking the commonly prescribed blood thinner warfarin experience an increased risk for osteoporosis-linked bone fractures, according to a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The results suggest physicians should carefully monitor the bone health of patients placed on the medication and that their patients should take steps to decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

Two-drug treatment may block source of asthma and chronic bronchitis

25 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Current treatments for asthma and chronic bronchitis aren't able to address the ultimate source of the problem, they can only alleviate symptoms. But researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have gone to the root of these disorders and found a two-drug treatment that could potentially restore patients' troubled airways to healthy function.

Brain cell activity increases levels of key ingredient in Alzheimer's plaques

25 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Increased communication between brain cells increases levels of amyloid beta, the key ingredient in Alzheimer's brain plaques, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found.

Researchers add mice to list of creatures that sing in the presence of mates

25 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists have known for decades that female lab mice or their pheromones cause male lab mice to make ultrasonic vocalizations. But a new paper from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis establishes for the first time that the utterances of the male mice are songs.

New therapeutic target identified in inherited brain tumor disorder

24 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers studying a mouse model of neurofibromatosis 1, a genetic condition that causes childhood brain tumors, have found their second new drug target in a year, a protein called methionine aminopeptidase-2.

Brain cell activity increases levels of key ingredient in Alzheimer's plaques

24 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Increased communication between brain cells increases levels of amyloid beta, the key ingredient in Alzheimer's brain plaques, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found.

Researchers defeat tumor cells by inhibiting healthy cells

24 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Defeating cancerous tumors by attacking healthy cells seems like an unusual strategy, but researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown the strategy to be effective against leukemia/lymphoma in mice.

Study eases concerns over mental side effects from potent AIDS drug

23 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The largest detailed, prospective clinical study of the mental side effects of a potent anti-AIDS drug, efavirenz, has revealed that the anxiety, dizziness, 'funny feelings' and vivid dreams triggered by the drug fade away within a month, possibly clearing the way for more widespread use.

Surgeons study artificial bone's ability to replace weakened spinal disks

23 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis After preliminary success using artificial bone to replace degenerative spinal disks in the neck and lower back, neurosurgeons at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital are preparing a study to formally compare the performance of the synthetic material against that of real bone.

Researchers study effects of weight loss in adolescents

23 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is studying how fatty liver disease affects sugar and fat metabolism in overweight adolescents and how losing weight affects the condition. In the last 30 years, the number of overweight children has doubled in the United States, and overweight children are at increased risk for the problem.

Drug combination beats previously resistant cervical cancer

22 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis With commonly available treatment strategies, 90 percent of women with recurrent cervical cancer die within five years. So physicians are understandably eager to uncover more effective drug therapies, and researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have now obtained encouraging results by combining a traditional cell-killing agent with Avastin, a recently developed inhibitor of blood-vessel growth.

Scientists find receptor for molecule that helps synchronize fly's internal clocks

22 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists have identified a receptor protein that helps the fruit fly know when to start and shut down its day, a step that should help them learn more about internal clocks in higher organisms such as humans.

Preliminary study demonstrates calorie restriction reduces markers of aging

22 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Can eating a low-calorie yet nutritionally balanced diet extend human life as it does in rodents? Preliminary research suggests it might, so researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are launching a long-term study to find out.

Heart failure linked to altered communication channels

21 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Failing hearts develop interference in their communication channels, according to research conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The problem involves a subtle change in the pores that connect heart muscle cells. When the scientists duplicated this change in mice, the mice became susceptible to ventricular tachycardia, a dangerous heart rhythm disorder that can lead to sudden cardiac death.

Surgeon performs country's first FDA-approved hip resurfacing procedure

21 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a surgical procedure that helps resurface worn out hip joints rather than completely replacing them, and the first approved procedure in the U.S. was performed by a Washington University orthopaedic surgeon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Protein may help prevent diabetes by keeping insulin-making cells alive

21 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Diabetes researchers hoping to enlist the help of a protein targeted by cancer therapies have gained an important new insight into how the protein, known as mTOR, works in the pancreas.

Emphysema patients benefit from one-sided lung reduction

20 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis In many cases of advanced emphysema, a chronic, progressive lung condition that interferes with breathing, reducing the size of the lungs by surgically removing lobes from both sides has been shown to improve both survival and quality of life. But some emphysema patients can't tolerate this bilateral operation.

Lung retransplants from living donors improve survival rate in children

20 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that using lobes of lungs from living donors improves the chances of short-term survival for children who require a second lung transplant.

Children's study to determine if asthma medications can reduce need for steroids

20 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Children between the ages of 6 and 17 years old with moderate-to-severe asthma may be eligible for a study at Washington University School of Medicine to evaluate whether two medications can reduce the amount of inhaled steroids needed to control asthma.

Anti-inflammatory drug's potentially deadly side effect found to be rare

19 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists have completed an extensive study of more than 3,000 patients who received a promising anti-inflammatory drug, natalizumab, that was linked to three cases of a serious brain infection in large clinical trials halted.

Growth factor triggers growth of new blood vessels in the heart

19 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis The newest concept for treating coronary artery disease is to induce hearts to grow their own new blood vessels to bypass damaged tissue or clogged arteries. Unfortunately, clinical trials of two important blood-vessel growth factors, fibroblast growth factor 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor have not produced stellar results.

Researchers investigate whether diet, exercise decrease frailty in obese elderly

19 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that obese elderly people can improve their physical function and lessen frailty by losing weight and exercising.

Managing depression helps control blood glucose levels

18 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that an antidepressant medication may reduce the risk of recurrent depression and increase the length of time between depressive episodes in patients with diabetes.

New Epilepsy drug eases symptoms of inherited disorder that weakens muscles

18 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis An epilepsy drug that has been on the market for decades can ease the symptoms of adult sufferers with a genetic disorder that seriously weakens muscles. Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis retrospectively reviewed results from off-label use of the drug valproate to treat seven adult spinal muscular atrophy patients.

Investigational approach to AIDS treatment may allow patients to clear all HIV

18 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Clinicians who care for patients infected with HIV are testing a new set of experimental treatments that may eliminate the hidden copies of the virus that previously have made a cure unattainable.

Test could improve diagnosis and treatment, help scientists better understand causes of dementia

17 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Science is now poised to answer an important and longstanding question about the origins of Alzheimer's disease: Do Alzheimer's patients have high levels of a brain protein because they make too much of it or because they can't clear it from their brains quickly enough?

New study challenges guideline against the use of antibiotics for asthma

17 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Preliminary studies have shown that almost 50 percent of people who experience uncontrolled asthma symptoms have a chronic airway infection that they aren't aware of. Now researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are testing to see if treatment with an antibiotic will ease asthma symptoms in these patients.

Plant sterol pills significantly lower LDL cholesterol

17 July 2006 - Washington University in St Louis A pill containing plant substances called sterols can help lower cholesterol, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The researchers studied patients who already were eating a heart-healthy diet and taking statin drugs to control cholesterol. The addition of plant sterols helped further lower total cholesterol and contributed to a nearly 10 percent reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the so-called 'bad' cholesterol. Results of the study were published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

Researchers suspect link between welding and parkinson’s disease

22 January 2006 - Washington University in St Louis Scientists have identified the first clue that welding might trigger the early onset of Parkinson’s disease. A research team led by neurologist Brad A. Racette, M.D., found that 15 professional welders developed typical clinical and neurological signs of the disease an average of 15 years earlier than the general population. The study is featured in the January issue of the journal Neurology with an accompanying editorial.

Chemist's technique enables creation of novel carbon nanoparticles

10 May 2004 - Washington University in St Louis Using a technique pioneered by Washington University in St. Louis chemist Karen Wooley, Ph.D., scientists have developed a novel way to make discrete carbon nanoparticles for electrical components used in industry and research. The method uses polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a nanoparticle precursor and is relatively low cost, simple and potentially scalable to commercial production levels. It provides significant advantages over existing technologies to make well-defined nanostructured carbons.

New mouse virus may help Scientists better understand cruise ship epidemics

06 March 2003 - Washington University in St Louis A close relative of a common little-understood human virus that causes an estimated 23 million episodes of intestinal illness, 50,000 hospitalizations and 300 deaths each year has been discovered in mice. The finding by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is reported in the March 7 issue of the journal Science.

Researchers discover possible new mechanism for high blood pressure

15 February 2003 - Washington University in St Louis Genetic differences that prevent tiny blood vessels from relaxing may be one reason why some people have high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to research led by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The findings are published in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Researchers discover possible new mechanism for high blood pressure

15 February 2003 - Washington University in St Louis Genetic differences that prevent tiny blood vessels from relaxing may be one reason why some people have high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to research led by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The findings are published in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Researchers decipher cause of parasite’s worldwide spread

16 January 2003 - Washington University in St Louis Research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis reveals that a unique combination of genes inherited less than 10,000 years ago allows the parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis to infect virtually all warm-blooded animals.

Herpes virus trashes detection mechanism to hide from immune system

14 January 2003 - Washington University in St Louis Herpes viruses are notorious for their ability to hide from the immune system and establish lifelong infections. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered how one mouse herpes virus escapes detection. The study appears in the January issue of the journal Immunity.

Headbands provide minimal protection for soccer players

10 January 2003 - Washington University in St Louis Headbands intended to protect soccer players from head injuries are effective only at high speeds, according to research at Washington University in St. Louis. The team found that all four brands of commercial headbands eased the impact of a soccer ball at the highest speeds and pressures tested, but failed to reduce the force at slower speeds.

Researchers identify key pathway in the pupil’s response to light

09 January 2003 - Washington University in St Louis Investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated that a particular protein is important for the eye’s pupil to respond to light. The discovery may help scientists learn more about the eye’s role in non-visual functions such as the synchronization of the body’s internal, circadian clock.

Headbands provide minimal protection for soccer players

02 January 2003 - Washington University in St Louis Headbands intended to protect soccer players from head injuries are effective only at high speeds, according to research at Washington University in St. Louis. The team found that all four brands of commercial headbands eased the impact of a soccer ball at the highest speeds and pressures tested, but failed to reduce the force at slower speeds.

Study of possible anticancer drug reveals new mechanism of gene regulation

19 December 2002 - Washington University in St Louis Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered a possible new mechanism for regulating large groups of genes. While conducting yeast research on a potential new anticancer drug, the team identified a mechanism that enables the genome to silence large numbers of genes simultaneously, rather than each gene individually.

Study to determine best treatment for children with mild Asthma

19 November 2002 - Washington University in St Louis Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is participating in a national study to determine which medication should be used first to treat children with mild asthma.

New treatment strategy for Crohn’s disease shows early promise

07 November 2002 - Washington University in St Louis A preliminary study reports that enhancing the body’s innate immunity can improve symptoms of Crohn’s disease in 80 percent of patients with moderate to severe forms of the debilitating, inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder.

New technique lets doctors examine milk ducts for breast problems

04 November 2002 - Washington University in St Louis A new technique enables doctors to directly examine the lining of milk ducts in the breast for early signs of cancer and other abnormalities, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The researchers used the technique, known as ductoscopy, to detect breast abnormalities in women with a condition called pathologic nipple discharge.

Coenzyme Q10 slows decline of Parkinson’s patients in preliminary study

14 October 2002 - Washington University in St Louis A national clinical trial with 80 Parkinson’s disease patients has found that high dosages of a naturally occurring compound, coenzyme Q10, may slow patients’ progressive clinical deterioration by as much as 44 percent. The greatest benefit was seen in everyday activities such as feeding, dressing, bathing and walking.

Bladder cancer returns sooner with each recurrence, study shows

05 September 2002 - Washington University in St Louis A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that the number of months between recurrences of superficial bladder cancer progressively shortens with each recurrence. The study also identified two proteins in tumor cells that may help predict the risk of a first or second recurrence. The findings will be published online Sept. 5 in the journal Cancer and in the Sept. 15 print edition.

Researchers discover how herpes tricks the immune system

20 August 2002 - Washington University in St Louis Herpes viruses enter the body and hide away in cells, often re-emerging later to cause illnesses such as shingles, genital herpes and cancer. How these viruses evade the immune system remains poorly understood, but researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis discovered that a mouse herpes virus uses molecules that mimic a cell’s own proteins to help thwart an immune attack.

New signaling pathway found, may be linked to movement disorders

11 July 2002 - Washington University in St Louis Though previous evidence points to the contrary, scientists have discovered that the protein known as fibroblast growth factor 14 may not actually behave like a growth factor. The research suggests that FGF14 is instead involved in transmitting signals from one nerve cell to another and may help regulate walking and other m