Reporter Oct 16 2020

Preserving gut mucus architecture

Oct. 20, 2020—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.

Depression and the brain-age gap

Oct. 19, 2020—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.

Clinical trial to test HIV drugs to treat COVID-19

Oct. 16, 2020—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.

Possible COVID-19 “decoy”

Oct. 15, 2020—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.

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.

Living liver donor program performs first transplant

Oct. 15, 2020—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.

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

Oct. 15, 2020—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.

Study explores nicotine patch to treat late-life depression

Oct. 15, 2020—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.

Factor involved in stomach injury response identified

Oct. 15, 2020—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.

Brain blood vessel response to hypoxia

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

Initiative seeks to extract cancer phenotypes from electronic health records

Oct. 15, 2020—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.

Bacchetta named associate chair of Thoracic Surgery

Oct. 14, 2020—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.

Posing with the award presented by the Tennessee Hospital Association are (front row, from left) Molly Knostman, PharmD, MHA, C. Wright Pinson, MBA, MD, Patty Wright, MD, Mark Sullivan, PharmD (back row, from left) Halden Van Cleave, PharmD, MS, Deidra Dickerson, PharmD, Garrett Crothers, PharmD, Kevin Scharfman, PharmD, Eric Patton and Ryan Schell, PharmD.

THA honors VUMC efforts in remdesivir distribution

Oct. 14, 2020—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).