School of Medicine

Women who have gastric bypass surgery to lose weight should keep a close eye on their alcohol consumption, according to a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The researchers found that changes in how alcohol is metabolized after surgery can speed its delivery into the bloodstream, resulting in earlier and higher peaks in blood-alcohol levels.

During a retreat this summer on the Medical Campus, department heads, division directors and other senior leaders at Washington University School of Medicine explored unconscious bias and how to diminish its impact in medical environments.

The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is advancing age. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified some of the key changes in the aging brain that lead to the increased risk. The changes center on amyloid beta 42, a main ingredient of Alzheimer’s brain plaques.​

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, led by Eric J. Lenze, MD, have received a $15 million grant to study strategies — including exercise, health education, meditation and yoga — aimed at helping older adults prevent or reverse typical age-related cognitive declines.

Each year, Larry J. Shapiro, MD, dean of the School of Medicine surprises employees with the highest accolades given to staff: the dean’s service awards. The top honor, the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award, this year went to Shirley R. Vaughn, of the Department of Anesthesiology. She is pictured with the dean.

Kenneth M. Ludmerer, MD, the Mabel Dorn Reeder Distinguished Professor of the History of Medicine, recently received the 2015 Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

A new exhibit in the Bernard Becker Medical Library celebrates the centennial anniversary of Washington University School of Medicine’s three original campus buildings on what was once considered the “new” Forest Park campus.

Two new studies explain why some parasite infections, such as those common in developing countries, sometimes can’t be cured with standard treatments. The research shows the parasite Leishmania — which infects 12 million people worldwide — often harbors a virus that helps the parasite survive treatments.

Washington University in St. Louis student Beakal M. Gezahegn has been named a 2015 STRIDE Undergraduate Research Fellow by the American Physiological Society.

Calming a neural circuit in the brain can alleviate stress in mice, according to new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis that lays the foundation for understanding stress and anxiety in people. The researchers also showed they could shine a light into the brain to activate the stress response in mice that had not been exposed to stressful situations.