School of Medicine

Red blood cells damaged by inflammation caused by food poisoning.A protein that helps keep immune system cells from mistakenly swallowing and destroying healthy cells has been linked to an inherited disorder with symptoms similar to severe food poisoning, according to researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine and the University of Newcastle in the United Kingdom. John Atkinson, M.D., the Samuel Grant Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, says the results make it possible to genetically screen patients for one form of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition linked to excessive cell damage, blood clots and kidney failure. Normal HUS, often in the headlines because of food-related outbreaks, is caused by consumption of a toxic form of the bacteria E. coli.

Jeff Ojemann/University of WashingtonImproved imaging of brain’s language areas may replace more invasive pre-surgery mapping techniques, such as the electrocortical stimulation method shown here.Advances in neurosurgery have opened the operating room door for an amazing array of highly invasive forms of brain surgery, but doctors and patients still face an incredibly important decision – whether to operate when life-saving surgery could irrevocably damage a patient’s ability to speak, read or even comprehend a simple conversation. Now, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing a painless, non-invasive imaging technique that surgeons here are using to better evaluate brain surgery risks and to more precisely guide operations so that damage to sensitive language areas is avoided. The breakthrough could improve odds of success in an increasingly common surgery in which damaged sections of a patient’s temporal brain lobe are removed in an effort to alleviate epileptic seizures. November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month.

November Medical science & Health Tip Sheet

In high school, John M. Lasala learned the most pivotal and enduring lesson of his life: Persistence and dedication are the keys to success. LeRoy Vaughn, Lasala’s football coach and chemistry teacher — not to mention father of New York Mets first baseman Mo Vaughn — taught his undersized team to capitalize on its strengths […]

Researchers are investigating the effects of weight loss and physical training on quality of life, physical function and bone strength.

“We hope that this knowledge will lead to novel therapies that could increase fat absorption in infants and decrease obesity in adults,” he says.

Scientists’ work could spark the development of drugs that can offer the same benefits as steroids without the many potentially serious side effects.

He died Oct. 9 from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; he taught radiology courses at the medical school from 1968-2001.

Researchers have developed a technique that provides a more carefully controlled radiation oncology dosages with less damage to nearby healthy tissues.

Photo by Bob BostonAward-winners Lee Epstein and Eugene M. Johnson Jr. greet each other at the recent Faculty Achievement Awards Ceremony.