Author: Craig Boerner
Study shows drastic increases in opioid-affected births
Jan. 12, 2021—The rate of mothers who had an opioid-related diagnosis when delivering their baby increased by 131% from 2010-2017, as the incidence of babies diagnosed with drug withdrawal, known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), increased by 82% nationally during that same time period.
Autism theory 25 years in the making
Jan. 8, 2021—A unifying explanation of the cause of autism and the reason for its rising prevalence has eluded scientists for decades, but a theoretical model published in the journal Medical Hypotheses describes the cause as a combination of socially valued traits, common in autism, and any number of co-occurring disabilities.
Statins to be studied for prevention of dementia, disability and heart disease
Nov. 17, 2020—Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) researchers are enrolling adults aged 75 and over to study whether taking atorvastatin, a drug commonly used to lower cholesterol also called Lipitor®, can help maintain health by preventing dementia, disability, and heart disease.
Younger parents less likely to vaccinate their children and themselves against COVID-19
Nov. 16, 2020—Younger parents were much less likely than older parents to say they planned to vaccinate their children and themselves against COVID-19.
Study finds patients’ access to opioid treatment cumbersome
Aug. 14, 2020—Women are having a difficult time getting into treatment for opioid addictions, according to a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study published today in JAMA Open.
Post-surgical bleeding associated with more deaths when compared to blood clots after surgery
Jul. 20, 2020—Post-surgical bleeding is associated with more deaths than blood clots from surgery, according to a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study published in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia.
Doxycycline ineffective at shrinking aortic aneurysms in two-year study
May. 26, 2020—Common antibiotic doxycycline reduces inflammation without changing aneurysm growth
Vanderbilt investigators encouraged by early results of placebo-controlled remdesivir trial
Apr. 29, 2020—A preliminary look at data from hospitalized adults diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a randomized, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the investigational antiviral remdesivir is showing promising results.
Urologist Dmochowski named ABU president
Apr. 23, 2020—The American Board of Urology (ABU) is naming Roger Dmochowski, MD, MMHC, professor, Department of Urologic Surgery, and associate surgeon-in-chief at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, as its president for 2020-2021.
Study launched to test hydroxychloroquine as treatment for COVID-19
Apr. 8, 2020— by Craig Boerner Faced with a global pandemic of a virus previously unknown to humans, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is leading a clinical trial to understand if hydroxychloroquine, a well-known drug used for malaria and rheumatologic conditions, is safe and effective in treating hospitalized adults with COVID-19. The ORCHID trial (Outcomes Related to...
Study examines prostate cancer treatment decisions
Jan. 23, 2020—A five-year follow-up study of more than 2,000 U.S. men who received prostate cancer treatment is creating a road map for future patients regarding long-term bowel, bladder and sexual function in order to clarify expectations and enable men to make informed choices about care.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics advises evaluating all breast cancer patients to determine the need for genetic testing
Dec. 13, 2019—According to a statement on behalf of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, there is insufficient evidence to recommend universal genetic testing for BRCA1/2 alone or in combination with multi-gene panels for all breast cancer patients.