brain

November 21, 2017

‘Mind’s eye blink’ proves ‘paying attention’ is not just a figure of speech

Vanderbilt psychologists have discovered that when you shift your attention from one place to another, your brain ‘blinks’—or experiences momentary gaps in perception.

By VUMC News and Communications
Elderly woman looking out window
November 8, 2017

Research links heart function to brain’s memory center

Research by a team of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) scientists suggests that older people whose hearts pump less blood have blood flow reductions in the temporal lobe regions of the brain, where Alzheimer’s pathology first begins.

By Tom Wilemon
images from a brain scan
October 26, 2017

Study seeks new ways to detect sensory issues in TBI patients

Vanderbilt researcher Tonia Rex, Ph.D., is accustomed to performing studies in her lab with a goal of translating the findings into better diagnoses and treatment tools for the visually impaired.

By Jessica Pasley
October 16, 2017

Gender, pain and dementia

Understanding sex differences in pain perception could lead to more targeted and effective pain assessment and management strategies in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease.

By Bill Snyder
September 5, 2017

Pain and Alzheimer’s disease

Clinicians should use a structured interview in people with Alzheimer’s disease to identify pain that might be otherwise overlooked.

By VUMC News and Communications
elderly Asian mother and adult daughter
August 7, 2017

Vanderbilt begins Phase 1 trials of new Alzheimer’s drug

Developed at Vanderbilt, VU319 is designed to precisely target a specific neuron receptor associated with cognitive function while avoiding potentially dangerous side effects.

By Bill Snyder
April 28, 2017

Regulating anxiety in the brain

Two brain signaling pathways have overlapping functions in regulating anxiety, suggesting that therapeutics aimed at one or the other will impact both.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 27, 2017

Protein structure may aid in treating Alzheimer’s disease

A new protein structure may guide the development of Alzheimer's therapeutics.
By Leigh MacMillan
February 7, 2017

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.
By VUMC News and Communications
January 25, 2017

Learn about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research at public forum

Vanderbilt researchers will discuss their groundbreaking studies on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at an upcoming forum, and the public is invited to attend.
By VUMC News and Communications
December 27, 2016

Investigational new drug for Alzheimer’s scheduled for first study in humans

Vanderbilt University scientists have received notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that testing in humans may proceed for an investigational new drug for Alzheimer's disease after more than 10 years of research by scientists at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
By Craig Boerner
December 15, 2016

New clues emerge in rare form of childhood epilepsy

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) are one step closer to understanding what causes early-onset epileptic encephalopathy, a rare form of childhood epilepsy that is difficult to treat and has poor developmental outcomes.
By Bill Snyder
December 9, 2016

Protecting the blood-brain barrier

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered how a promising cancer immunotherapy causes brain swelling, findings that could lead to ways to protect brain function while fighting cancers.
By Sanjay Mishra