Author: Ken Duenke

Scientists at the School of Medicine have linked a mutation in a gene known as TDP-43 to an inherited form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the neurodegenerative condition often called Lou Gehrig’s disease. Researchers found the connection intriguing because studies by other groups have revealed abnormalities in the TDP-43 protein in both sporadic and inherited ALS, as well as in several other neurodegenerative disorders.

Medical professionals from Washington University and Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College are helping older adults in underserved areas of St. Louis identify and address wide-ranging health problems — from osteoporosis and frailty to impaired physical function and depression. Consuelo Wilkins The Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation is funding the program, called the Collaborative Assessments to […]

An unexpected finding turned out to be a clue leading School of Medicine researchers to propose a new treatment approach for Niemann-Pick disease, a rare, deadly neurodegenerative disorder. To overcome the genetic defect in Niemann-Pick disease, the researchers suggest that chemical compounds could potentially “chaperone” mutant protein molecules through the cell’s quality control machinery. And […]

Subtle malformations in the brains of patients with schizophrenia also tend to occur in their healthy siblings, according to investigators at the Silvio Conte Center for the Neuroscience of Mental Disorders at the School of Medicine. Shape abnormalities were found in the brain’s thalamus. The researchers performed brain MRI scans in 25 patients with schizophrenia and their non-affected siblings and compared the scans with those of 40 healthy volunteers and their siblings.

Therapists and eating disorders specialists at the School of Medicine are joining investigators at a handful of sites around North America to evaluate anorexia nervosa treatments. Only 25 percent of anorexia patients recover completely, and the goal of this study is to improve those odds.

The following incidents were reported to University Police Feb. 7-19. Readers with information that could assist in investigating these incidents are urged to call 935-5555. This information is provided as a public service to promote safety awareness and is available on the University Police Web site at police.wustl.edu. Feb. 7 4:49 p.m. — A person […]

Go to BearSports The No. 7 men’s basketball team improved to 18-4 overall with two University Athletic Association (UAA) wins on the road last weekend. Senior Troy Ruths scored a game-high 25 points, including a pair of free throws with 6.8 seconds remaining to lead the Bears to a 71-68 victory at Case Western Reserve […]

The Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Structural Engineering has begun a series of seminars and workshops on the topic of reducing the damage that would occur if a strong earthquake strikes the New Madrid fault area again.

Critically ill patients who need a ventilator to breathe face a high risk of pneumonia. The lung infection, however, is exceedingly difficult to diagnose because a patient’s underlying condition often skews laboratory test results and masks pneumonia’s symptoms – a reality that can delay appropriate antibiotic treatment. Using gene chip technology, scientists at the School of Medicine demonstrate for the first time they can distinguish pneumonia associated with ventilator use from other serious illnesses.

Physician, radio and television personality, health advocate and writer Drew Pinsky, M.D., will present “Loveline with Dr. Drew” at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Laboratory Sciences Building Auditorium, Room 300.