Fiona Harrison

Award winners and faculty pose for a photo before last week’s School of Medicine Spring Faculty Meeting.

Faculty awards honor teaching, clinical, research excellence

The 2022 Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Academic Enterprise Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Extraordinary Performance of Clinical Service, and Outstanding Contributions to Research were presented April 29 during the annual spring faculty meeting.

Vitamin C protects brain from seizures

Brain ascorbate — vitamin C — is important for protecting the brain against seizures and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamin C deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease

Recent findings suggest that vitamin C deficiency could contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that avoiding deficiency through diet and supplementation could protect against disease onset.

Pediatric health conditions, their treatments and the related stress hinder the prefrontal cortex, which is the region of the brain associated with learning, memory and behavior. (istock)

Oxidative stress on the brain

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered that oxidative damage may play an important role in the development of a rare cholesterol synthesis disease and in the behavioral changes of autism spectrum disorders.

Dementia linked to diet

Some memory deficits observed in Alzheimer’s disease may be due to co-morbid illnesses – not the disease itself – and may be reversed by lifestyle changes or pharmacologic interventions.