Health and Medicine

February 5, 2015

Copper toxicity and Parkinson’s

A genetic predisposition to Parkinson’s disease makes neurons more vulnerable to the toxicity of heavy metals such as copper.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 5, 2015

Study to explore myeloma treatment’s impact on heart

Vanderbilt is embarking on an observational study to define and understand how a promising treatment for multiple myeloma affects the heart.

By Kathy Whitney
January 29, 2015

Core facilities key driver of VUMC research gains

During the past five years, Vanderbilt University Medical Center has become a leader in “personalized medicine,” the use of genomic information to individualize patient care.

By Bill Snyder
January 29, 2015

Consent process for BioVU participation updated

As of last week, Vanderbilt has updated the process used to facilitate patient participation in BioVU, the Medical Center’s DNA repository.

By Paul Govern
January 29, 2015

New therapy options enhance prostate cancer treatment

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) patient William Ostman smiled while gazing into a camera lens and declared, “I am a prostate cancer survivor.”

By VUMC News and Communications
January 29, 2015

VUSN study tracking yoga therapy for cancer patients

Cancer is bad enough. But cancer patients who receive surgery, radiation and chemotherapy may suffer from side effects that run from irritating to crippling — problems that are postural, musculoskeletal and respiratory, along with lowered self-esteem.

By Matt Batcheldor
January 29, 2015

Grant bolsters pancreatic cancer drug discovery efforts

The Lustgarten Foundation has awarded a $1.5 million Research Investigator Grant to Stephen Fesik, Ph.D., professor of Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Chemistry, for research designed to discover new drugs for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
By VUMC News and Communications
January 29, 2015

Altered dopamine signaling may offer a clue to autism

Newly discovered genetic variations linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) disrupt the function of the dopamine transporter, suggesting that altered dopamine signaling contributes to this common developmental condition, according to a Vanderbilt University-led research team.
By Bill Snyder
January 28, 2015

New clue to a devastating disease

New findings suggest a previously unrecognized role for the Sox10 transcription factor in Hirschsprung’s disease, and may lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this disease.
By Bill Snyder
January 26, 2015

Immune response depends on force

New studies explain how T-cell receptors use force to recognize and protect us against pathogens.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 23, 2015

New view of dopamine heteromers

Although heteromeric dopamine receptors composed of both D1 and D2 subunits have been proposed to play a role in depression and schizophrenia, recent studies suggest these heteromers do not exist.
By VUMC News and Communications
January 22, 2015

Beta cell link to fasting glucose

New findings explain why variation in a particular gene is the most important determinant of fasting blood glucose levels in humans.
By VUMC News and Communications
January 22, 2015

New signaling pathway provides clues to obesity

A Vanderbilt University-led research team has discovered a molecular “rheostat” in the brain’s appetite control center that may provide new insights into obesity, which is at epidemic levels in this country.
By Bill Snyder