featured research Archives
AstraZeneca, VU collaborate to develop new treatments for major brain disorders
Jan. 14, 2013—AstraZeneca and Vanderbilt University have signed a research collaboration agreement to identify candidate drugs aimed at treating psychosis and other neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with major brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
Simulated Mars mission reveals body’s sodium rhythms
Jan. 10, 2013—Clinical pharmacologist Jens Titze, M.D., and colleagues have discovered that – in contrast to the prevailing dogma – human sodium levels fluctuate rhythmically with 7-day and monthly cycles.
Vice Chancellor Balser: ‘Cliff’ looming for biomedical research
Dec. 6, 2012—"Beyond the damaging effects on the health of our people, disrupting the nation’s biomedical science infrastructure puts our economic future at risk," writes Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Jeff Balser in The Tennessean.
Improved patient ‘handover’ process bolsters outcomes
Oct. 18, 2012—Patient handovers matter. A lot. That’s the conclusion from Vanderbilt researchers who reviewed three years of patient data and found that major complications occurring within 24 hours after cardiac surgery were cut in half following the adoption of an improved handover process.
VU scientists cheer Nobel Prize for stem cell research
Oct. 11, 2012—Vanderbilt University scientists are cheering this year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine for recognizing the discovery that mature cells can be “reprogrammed” into other cell types — a finding which they said has electrified their work.
Study tracks potential coverage gaps under Affordable Care Act
Sep. 13, 2012—An analysis of Massachusetts’ health care reform program by a Vanderbilt researcher indicates insurance gaps may remain as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expands insurance coverage beginning in 2014.
Little evidence supports autism treatment options in adolescents
Aug. 27, 2012—There is insufficient evidence to support findings, good or bad, for therapies currently used in adolescents and young adults with autism.
Vanderbilt-led team to develop ‘microbrain’ to improve drug testing
Jul. 24, 2012—Creating a device out of human cells that simulates brain chemistry is the goal of a $6.4 million grant which is part of major new federal initiative to develop a series of “organs on a chip” designed to improve the drug development process.
Vanderbilt’s CTSA lands $46 million renewal
Jul. 12, 2012—Vanderbilt University’s largest single government research grant, its Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), has been renewed for another five years for $46 million.
Probing the roots of depression by tracking serotonin regulation at a new level
Jun. 27, 2012—An interdisciplinary team of scientists have successfully tagged a protein that regulates the neurotransmitter serotonin with tiny fluorescent beads, allowing them to track the movements of individual molecules for the first time. This capability makes it possible to study the manner in which serotonin regulates mood, appetite and sleep at a new level of detail.
Kids’ cells okay after mom’s cancer radiation
Jun. 22, 2012—Study finds no evidence of increased mitochondrial mutations in the children of women treated with radiation for cancer.
Family members can often sabotage diabetes care: study
Jun. 15, 2012—Nonsupportive family members contribute to poor adherence to medication regimens and lower glycemic control in adults with diabetes.
