School of Medicine

The mind and the body are intimately linked, but although more and more research is demonstrating that the mind plays a role in sickness and in health, little is understood about how a person’s mental health affects physical health. A Washington University team of investigators led by Ray E. Clouse, M.D, professor of medicine and psychiatry, and Patrick J. Lustman, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry, hopes to change that by launching a new Center for Mind/Body Research that will focus specifically on ways that mental health affects heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other illnesses. New research has shown, for example, that although women are at a lower risk for heart attacks than men, the risk for women with diabetes and depression is virtually identical to what’s seen in men. The investigators believe that depression is the main cause of that increased risk, but they hope that by focusing more closely on mind/body interactions they will be able to understand more about the relationship between mental health and physical well being.

December/January Medical Science & Health Tip Sheet

Researchers found that the treatment blocked bone metastases and reduced the development of new tumors in certain organs.

Photo by Bob BostonThe Parkway Hotel has been specifically designed to serve the School of Medicine and Barnes and Children’s hospitals.The staff of the $25 million hotel “has been trained to go out of its way for our visitors,” General Manager April Risk said.

“No studies to date have looked systematically at the psychiatric effects on people who were employed in the towers,” investigator Carol S. North said.

Peanut butter could save the world. If Mark J. Manary, M.D., has his way, that ooey, gooey lunchbox staple might be some kids’ best hope for the future. Manary, associate professor of pediatrics, started a program two years ago that has saved hundreds of starving children in one of the poorest countries in southern Africa. […]

Photo by Bob BostonMichael R. DeBaun shares a smile with Randice Reed, who has sickle cell disease.An $18.5 million NIH grant will fund a study of blood transfusion therapy as a possible treatment for preventing silent strokes.

Image courtesy of Cindy LustigParts of the brain involved in a “resting network” show large differences between young adults, older adults, and people with Alzheimer’s disease.Researchers tracking the ebb and flow of cognitive function in the human brain have discovered surprising differences in the ability of younger and older adults to shut down a brain network normally active during periods of passive daydreaming. The differences, which are especially pronounced in people with dementia, may provide a clear and powerful new method for diagnosing individuals in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

More than $300 million will be spent to rapidly bring the new knowledge of the human genetic blueprint to the patient’s bedside.

More than $300 million will be spent to rapidly bring the new knowledge of the human genetic blueprint to the patient’s bedside. More about BioMed 21