brain Archive

April 1, 2020

Study to explore TBI’s impact on language processing

Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University have been awarded more than $3.8 million to study the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on one’s ability to process language in everyday settings.

By Kelsey Herbers
February 12, 2020

Study seeks link between menopause, Alzheimer’s

Beginning this month, researchers from VUMC and the University of Vermont are launching a study to examine whether cognitive changes that occur at menopause for some women are related to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

By Kelsey Herbers
December 12, 2019

Study examines HIV drug’s potential to treat Alzheimer’s

A drug used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS is showing promise as a potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.

By Bill Snyder
December 5, 2019

Study reveals mysteries of critical brain receptor complex

Poorly functioning AMPARs have been linked to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders including seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, major depression and autism spectrum disorder. Understanding how AMPARs are formed and operate is essential for the rational design of pharmacological compounds that, by tuning AMPAR activity up or down, could improve treatment of these conditions.

By Bill Snyder
November 4, 2019

Sleep experts: daylight saving time has long-term brain effects

Sleep experts published a JAMA Neurology commentary in which they recap large epidemiological studies to advocate for ending the practice.

By VUMC News and Communications
October 17, 2019

Grant bolsters Schrag’s Alzheimer’s disease research

Matthew Schrag, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Neurology, has received a Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging for research into the function of a novel protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease risk.

By Holly Fletcher
October 10, 2019

Study examines pain processing in co-occurring cancer, Alzheimer’s disease

A new multisite study will examine whether co-occurring Alzheimer’s disease and stage 4 breast or prostate cancer alters pain perception, potentially leading to undertreated cancer pain.
By Kelsey Herbers
October 3, 2019

Team discovers one more piece to the autism puzzle

Vanderbilt investigators have linked genetic mutations in a single receptor to epilepsy, autism and intellectual disability.
By Bill Snyder
September 10, 2019

Relational memory in early psychosis

Studies of relational memory function may reveal novel mechanisms for therapeutic intervention for patients in the early stages of psychosis.
By Kelsey Herbers
September 9, 2019

Astrocytes and epilepsy

A protein with important functions in astrocytes — star-shaped brain support cells — may alter neuronal excitability and contribute to seizure activity, Vanderbilt researchers report.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 18, 2019

How proteins spread linked to Alzheimer’s disease sex differences

The ways certain proteins spread may help explain why the prevalence of Alzheimer’s is higher in women than in men.
By Kelsey Herbers
July 11, 2019

Working memory in psychotic disorders

Functional MRI studies have revealed that targeting activation of certain brain regions may improve working memory and cognition in psychotic disorders.
By Kelsey Herbers
June 24, 2019

Early detection of schizophrenia

Inhibited temperament — a tendency to respond to novelty with wariness, fear or caution — may be a risk factor for schizophrenia that could be targeted for preventative interventions.
By Leigh MacMillan