NCATS

December 16, 2013

Cancer drug enhances cognition

The breast cancer drug tamoxifen improves cognitive performance in post-menopausal women.

By Leigh MacMillan
November 27, 2013

Autism narrows brain’s reward response

MRI brain scans reveal that children with autism spectrum disorders respond to a narrower range of familiar rewards.

By VUMC News and Communications
November 7, 2013

Neurotransmitter’s role in bone balance

Removal of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine from the space outside cells plays an important role in the regulation of bone remodeling.

By Leigh MacMillan
October 28, 2013

Tool predicts risk for developmental delays in early childhood

A non-invasive measure of electrical brain activity in preterm infants predicts cognitive and communication functioning during early childhood, according to a new Vanderbilt University study.

By Leigh MacMillan
August 22, 2013

Overcoming resistance in ovarian cancer

The nuclear receptor TR3 contributes to ovarian cancer cell death in response to platinum-based chemotherapy – and may be a good target for overcoming cell resistance to certain treatments.

By Leigh MacMillan
August 14, 2013

Oxidative stress in autism

A biomarker for oxidative stress is elevated in patients with both autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal dysfunction, suggesting opportunities for individualized approaches to clinical care.

By Bill Snyder
August 12, 2013

Noninvasive test detects stomach bug

A noninvasive test can be used to identify the presence of Helicobacter pylori and evaluate its virulence, which will be useful in areas with high rates of H. pylori-associated gastric cancer.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 21, 2013

Rhythm response tied to gene variant

A genetic variant that increases risk for atrial fibrillation also impacts the response to a common therapy for the heart rhythm disorder.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 20, 2013

Studies outline new model for staph bone infections

Osteomyelitis, a debilitating bone infection most frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus (“staph”) bacteria, is particularly challenging to treat.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 10, 2013

Factor’s yin-yang tumor effects

A factor produced by most malignant cells can both promote and inhibit tumor growth – an insight that is critical to using cancer drugs developed to block this factor.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 7, 2013

Autism speeds motion perception

Children with autism spectrum disorder are better at perceiving the motion of certain objects than are typically developing children their age.
By Bill Snyder
May 1, 2013

Taking the ‘noise’ out of protein data

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a novel algorithm to improve results from proteomic studies.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 29, 2013

Fava beans’ impact on urine sodium

Eating fava beans increases dopamine in blood and urine, but does not stimulate urinary sodium excretion.
By Leigh MacMillan