Reporter Oct 16 2020

bacteria microbiome
October 20, 2020

Preserving gut mucus architecture

A new method that keeps microbes and gut cells together will be useful for studies of complex host-microbe interactions and for analysis of clinical specimens.

By Leigh MacMillan
October 19, 2020

Depression and the brain-age gap

Older depressed adults show accelerated brain aging, according to a new study from Vanderbilt researchers, who suggest that the effects of depression may speed the decline in cognitive functions in older individuals.

By Sarah E. Glass
October 16, 2020

Clinical trial to test HIV drugs to treat COVID-19

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in collaboration with the University of Colorado and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, is leading one of the first “telemedicine” clinical trials to test a potential treatment for COVID-19.

By Bill Snyder
October 15, 2020

Possible COVID-19 “decoy”

It might be possible to use vesicles carrying the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to bind the virus and prevent infection.

By Bill Snyder
Liver transplant donor Sam Burnett with surgical team members, from left, Lee Gordon, MD, Lea Matsuoka, MD, Sophoclis Alexopoulos, MD, Martin Montenovo, MD, Ahlie Kerr, RN, and Joseph Awad, MD.
October 15, 2020

Living liver donor program performs first transplant

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center’s newly launched living liver donor program allows relatives to donate part of their liver to their loved one, something only possible at select centers in the country.

By Matt Batcheldor
October 15, 2020

Noninvasive treatment for refractory OCD, major depression shows promise for lifelong benefits

Four months ago, a multidisciplinary care team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center treated a patient with lifelong major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) — conditions that left her debilitated with intrusive thoughts, constant fear, suicidal intent and anorexia.

By Kelsey Herbers
October 15, 2020

Study explores nicotine patch to treat late-life depression

Backed by nearly $5 million in funding, researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center are testing to see whether transdermal nicotine patches can improve mood, forgetfulness and attentiveness in adults over 60 with a diagnosis of depression.
By Kelsey Herbers
October 15, 2020

Factor involved in stomach injury response identified

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a key factor that coordinates the body’s repair response to severe injury in the stomach caused, most commonly, by infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
By Bill Snyder
October 15, 2020

Brain blood vessel response to hypoxia

The brain’s response to low oxygen — growth and remodeling of blood vessels — involves certain cell types and molecular pathways, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.
By Leigh MacMillan
October 15, 2020

Initiative seeks to extract cancer phenotypes from electronic health records

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has funded the development of interactive visual tools that will allow researchers to extract cancer phenotypes from electronic medical records.
By Tom Wilemon
October 14, 2020

Bacchetta named associate chair of Thoracic Surgery

Matthew Bacchetta, MD, MBA, MA, associate professor of Thoracic Surgery, has been named associate chair of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Thoracic Surgery, effective Sept. 1.
By Jill Clendening
October 14, 2020

THA honors VUMC efforts in remdesivir distribution

A team of pharmacists and physicians from Vanderbilt University Medical Center that this spring took on statewide distribution of remdesivir, an urgently needed investigational drug for severely ill patients hospitalized with COVID-19, has received the President’s Award from the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA).
By Bill Snyder
October 14, 2020

VUMC chosen by Forbes as among Tennessee’s best employers

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has again been named to Forbes magazine’s list of “Best Employers for New Graduates.”
By Doug Campbell
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