Health Research

Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease may have more in common than their effects on the functions of the brain and spinal cord. And finding that common thread could lead to a treatment that could work for all three. A recent study by David Smith, associate professor of biochemistry in the West Virginia University School of Medicine, suggests that at the heart of all three diseases may be misfolded proteins that are shaped in similar ways. His findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications.

Scientists don’t yet grasp the intricacies of the relationship between sepsis and dementia. Candice Brown, an assistant professor in West Virginia University’s School of Medicine and Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, is studying that relationship in order to bring about insights that help prevent or mitigate the neurological impact of sepsis.

Paul A. Offit, M.D., has built an international reputation defending science and medicine against attack. But he doesn’t think scientists never make mistakes. He’s planning to visit West Virginia University March 23 to talk about what we can learn from the laboratory mishaps of the past.

Don Hoylman attributes the success of his three children to the education and opportunities they received as students at West Virginia University. He also credits WVU with being a positive driver for his vision and success in creating and growing his businesses. The Harrison County native and longtime Marion County resident, who has enjoyed a very successful career in the mining, gas and oil business, is now giving back to WVU with a transformational leadership donation through his trust.

After having their tonsils removed, patients often can't leave the hospital for six hours, even if they bounce back from surgery sooner. Hospital policy commonly mandates a six-hour recovery time. But research led by Habib Zalzal, a resident in the West Virginia University School of Medicine, suggests that not all tonsillectomy patients have to wait that long.

With age comes a higher prevalence of chronic illness, often resulting in the use of multiple prescription medications at a time. With the help of a new award, a West Virginia University researcher is examining the prevalence and hazards of potentially inappropriate medication prescribing among elderly cancer survivors.

WVU Medicine announced Tuesday (Feb. 6) that John V. Campo, M.D., a nationally recognized child and adolescent psychiatrist, and Rhonda S. Campo, M.B.A., a seasoned healthcare and biotech professional, will join the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute this spring.

A case report by a West Virginia University neuropsychologist suggests a new reason fentanyl-alone, or in combination with stimulants-may put substance users at risk, whether they take it knowingly or not. It may cause amnesia.

Amyloid plaques have long been believed to be an indicator of neurodegenerative disease. But according to Raymond Anderson, a graduate student in West Virginia University's School of Medicine, such buildup alone does not correlate with disease severity. In fact, these buildups may even protect neurons.

West Virginia University alumni, faculty and students will take the stage in March as part of the first campus TEDx Talk. Themed "Leading with Hope in a Changing World," the full-day conference will feature culturally relevant topics and boasts a line-up of locally high-brow influencers.