brain

Scanning of a human brain by X-rays
February 12, 2015

Grant spurs schizophrenia research

Vanderbilt University is partnering with the William K. Warren Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on research aimed at improving the treatment of schizophrenia and other forms of serious mental illness.

By Bill Snyder
sad man
February 12, 2015

Hazy definition may hamper catatonia care

Catatonia, a syndrome characterized by muscular rigidity and a trance-like mental stupor, can at times manifest with great excitement and confusion. And while it is often associated with schizophrenia, it can present in patients with either medical or psychiatric conditions. For this reason, the condition has often confused clinicians.

By Nancy Humphrey
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
turmeric
January 8, 2015

Curcumin’s ability to fight Alzheimer’s studied

One of the most promising new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease may already be in your kitchen. Curcumin, a natural product found in the spice turmeric, has been used by many Asian cultures for centuries, and a new study indicates a close chemical analog of curcumin has properties that may make it useful as a treatment for the brain disease.

By VUMC News and Communications
December 18, 2014

Family’s gift bolsters schizophrenia research, treatment

A “transformational” $6.4 million gift from Dallas couple Donald Test Jr., and his wife, Charlotte, who have a very personal connection to the devastating disease of schizophrenia, is supporting Vanderbilt Department of Psychiatry research and treatment into schizophrenia and related disorders.

By Nancy Humphrey
November 20, 2014

New protocol for young brain injury patients shows success

A new protocol put into place more than a year ago at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is showing early signs of improving outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injuries.

By VUMC News and Communications
October 20, 2014

New faculty: Dugan explores complexities of Alzheimer’s

Laura Dugan strives to bring breakthroughs in neuroscience research and the aging brain together.
By Nancy Humphrey
September 18, 2014

VU study reveals shared pathways in psychiatric disorders

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share common genetic underpinnings. Vanderbilt researchers combined high-resolution gene expression studies with gene association data to reveal signaling pathways linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 12, 2014

Schizophrenia ‘switches’ discovered

Drugs developed at Vanderbilt could provide a new way to treat schizophrenia in a personalized way.
By Bill Snyder
September 2, 2014

Protein interaction protects against neurodegeneration

Two proteins interact to maintain selenium levels in the brain, and protect neurons from degeneration.
By VUMC News and Communications
August 19, 2014

Keeping an eye on blast trauma

Understanding the cellular and molecular responses of the eye to blast injury could guide new treatment development.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 14, 2014

Team takes 4-D look at brain receptor’s role

Reporting last week in the journal Cell, researchers from Oregon Health and Science University, Harvard Medical School and Vanderbilt University describe the first “four-dimensional” picture of a brain receptor that plays a key role in learning and memory.
By Bill Snyder
April 10, 2014

Study explores genetics behind Alzheimer’s resiliency

Autopsies have revealed that some individuals develop the cellular changes indicative of Alzheimer’s disease without ever showing clinical symptoms in their lifetime.
By VUMC News and Communications