Neurology & Neurological Sciences News

Welcome to Stanford Child Neurology! Match 2025

Happy Match Day! Congrats to our newly recruited class, welcome to the family.

Welcome to Stanford Neurology! Match 2025

Happy Match Day! Congrats to our newly recruited class, welcome to the family.

Dr. Shannon Beres Honored with 2025 Silverman Award for Excellence in Community Partnerships

Dr. Shannon Beres has been named the 2025 recipient of the Silverman Award, recognizing her impactful contributions to the lives of children with vision impairments and their families. Presented at the Lowenfeld-Akeson Symposium, Dr. Beres' dedication to enhancing educational and therapeutic knowledge exemplifies the spirit of the award, which honors the legacy of Dr. William Silverman and his commitment to improving care for vulnerable populations.

Congratulations to winners of The Brain Prize 2025

Professors Michelle Monje, Stanford University, and Frank Winkler, Heidelberg University Hospital, have pioneered the field of Cancer Neuroscience. They have revealed a profound connection between cancer and the nervous system, fundamentally changing our understanding of brain tumours and potential treatments.

Pioneering Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation Technology for Parkinson’s Disease

Neurologist Helen Bronte-Stewart has led groundbreaking research that culminated in the FDA's recent approval of adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), a personalized treatment for Parkinson’s disease. This innovative technology adjusts electrical pulses based on individual brain signals, offering a more effective and tailored approach to managing symptoms for millions affected by the condition.

Revolutionizing Parkinson's Care: QDG Health's 30-Second Test Transforms Treatment Paradigms

As the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease surges, QDG Health introduces an innovative health management system that leverages a simple 30-second finger-tapping assessment to deliver real-time, AI-informed insights into patient motor symptoms. Developed by Dr. Helen Bronte-Stewart at Stanford, this breakthrough technology promises to streamline clinical trials, enhance remote monitoring, and ultimately elevate the standard of care for individuals living with Parkinson's.

Stanford Researchers Discover Tumor's Link to Nervous System, Opening New Treatment Avenues

Stanford Medicine's Dr. Michelle Monje reveals that aggressive brain tumors, like Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), can hijack nervous system signals to promote growth by forming electrical connections with healthy brain cells. Her team is investigating FDA-approved neurological drugs that could disrupt these connections, offering new hope for treating these challenging cancers. This innovative research enhances our understanding of brain tumors and paves the way for targeted therapies in oncology.

Practice doesn’t always make perfect

Groundbreaking research from Stanford Medicine sheds light on how adaptive myelination — a brain process linked to learning — can be co-opted by seizures, exacerbating epilepsy. Led by Dr. Juliet Knowles, this study opens new avenues for potential therapies targeting maladaptive myelination. With nearly 30% of children with epilepsy facing challenges with conventional treatments, this discovery represents hope for more effective, personalized options on the horizon.

Non-invasive brain stimulation opens new ways to study and treat the brain

Researchers at Stanford’s Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute are pioneering innovative non-invasive methods to study and treat complex brain conditions, eliminating the need for invasive procedures. By leveraging technologies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and focused ultrasound, these advances aim to transform patient care, making neurological treatments safer and more accessible than ever before.

Stanford University Launches NIH-Funded Study on Gut-Brain Connection in Parkinson’s Disease

Stanford University has announced a significant NIH-funded research initiative aimed at exploring the gut-brain connection in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Led by Drs. Kathleen Poston and Laren Becker, this multi-site study seeks to understand how gastrointestinal dysfunction, immune responses, and microbial composition relate to the onset and progression of PD. Collaborating with institutions like Rush University and the Mayo Clinic, the research aims to uncover critical insights that could enhance early diagnosis and treatment strategies for the disease.

Small molecule modulation of p75^NTR engages the autophagy-lysosomal pathway and reduces huntingtin aggregates in cellular and mouse models of Huntington's disease

A new study from the Longo Lab supports a role of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75^NTR) in pathological protein clearance by engaging the autophagy/lysosomal systems. They show that the small molecule p75^NTR ligand, LM11A-31, reduces mutant huntingtin aggregates in cellular and mouse models of Huntington’s Disease (HD). LM11A-31 successfully completed a Phase 2a clinical trial for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease and these results strengthen its potential as a candidate for HD clinical testing.

Newer antiseizure drugs safe for pregnancy, Stanford Medicine-led study shows

A Stanford Medicine-led study published in JAMA Neurology has found that children exposed prenatally to the antiseizure medications lamotrigine and levetiracetam exhibited normal verbal and cognitive abilities at age six, confirming the safety of these drugs during pregnancy. The research highlights these newer medications as safer alternatives to older drugs like valproate, which are linked to harmful effects on fetal development. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of managing epilepsy during pregnancy to ensure the well-being of both mothers and their children.

Cell therapy fights lethal childhood brain cancer in Stanford Medicine trial

CAR-T cells show promise against pediatric diffuse midline gliomas, brain and spinal cord tumors that are among the deadliest cancers, a Stanford Medicine trial found.

2024 BrightFocus Research Grant Award

Amira Latif-Hernandez, PhD, was awarded a 2024 BrightFocus Research Grant Award for research on synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. This highly competitive award was granted to only 37 researchers out of a pool of 650 applicants. Congratulations, Amira.

Stanford Postdoc JEDI Champion

Andy P. Tsai, PhD Postdoctoral Scholar in the Tony Wyss-Coray Lab at Stanford, received a 2024 Stanford Postdoc JEDI Champion Award. Stanford Postdoc JEDI Champion Awards are a recognition of current Stanford University postdoctoral scholars who have championed initiatives, activities, or efforts that advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at Stanford and beyond. Congratulations, Andy.

2024 Sammy Kuo Prize for Postdoctoral Scholar

Congratulations, Dian Lyu, PhD, in the Parvizi Lab, on your award for Postdoctoral Scholar Paper of the Year for your paper published in Neuron: "Causal evidence for the processing of bodily self in the anterior precuneus".

2024 Outstanding Leadership and Service Award

Dr. Carl Gold won the Neurohospitalist Society 2024 Outstanding Leadership and Service Award presented at the 12th Annual Neurohospitalist Society Meeting held in Baltimore, Maryland. Congrats, Dr. Gold!

The new tech that could improve care for Parkinson’s patients

Dr. Helen Bronte-Stewart and her team at Stanford Medicine have developed a portable device and smartphone app that allow patients to quantify symptoms at home. This innovation could transform care and monitoring for the 10 million affected globally

Why new Alzheimer's drugs may not work for patients

PODCAST: Discover why new Alzheimer's drugs may not be as effective as expected by listening to this podcast featuring insights from Stanford neurologist Michael Greicius, MD, MPH. Gain valuable insights and stay informed about the latest developments in Alzheimer's research.

Why is a common gene variant bad for your brain?

Stanford Medicine neurologist Michael Greicius, MD, has spearheaded a recent groundbreaking genetics study focusing on Alzheimer's disease. This study examines the impact of gene variants, particularly APOE4, on Alzheimer's risk and treatment responses. Greicius's research sheds light on the complexities of Alzheimer's genetics and points towards personalized medicine approaches for treatment development. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding how gene variants like APOE4 contribute to Alzheimer's disease progression, potentially paving the way for novel treatment strategies.

Drugs that improve brain metabolism could help Alzheimer’s patients

Targeting a metabolic pathway well-known in cancer research, neuroscientists at Stanford believe they may have found a way to improve brain performance in Alzheimer’s patients.

How the brain helps cancers grow

PODCAST: Stanford neuro-oncologist Michelle Monje, MD, PhD explains how many deadly tumors depend on the nervous system’s electrical activity to grow and spread, presenting an exciting new line of attack for oncology research. 

The 2024 Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine

The 2024 Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine has been awarded to Michelle Monje MD, PhD for her contributions to the neuroscience of cancer and their implications for therapy. Her pioneering research in cancer neuroscience has illuminated the intricate communication between neurons and glial cells in normal brain function. Her work has revealed how cancer cells can exploit this process to drive tumor growth in brain cancers. Dr. Monje's discoveries have paved the way for early clinical trials aimed at treating patients with brain cancer. 

Existing high blood pressure drugs may prevent epilepsy, Stanford Medicine-led study finds

A study led by Stanford Medicine has found that angiotensin receptor blockers, a type of high blood pressure medication, may significantly reduce the risk of developing epilepsy in adults. Senior author, Kimford Meador, MD, a professor of neurology at Stanford, revealed that patients on these drugs had a 20% to 30% lower epilepsy risk, necessitating further randomized clinical trials to validate these promising findings.

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation Award for Humanism and Excellence in Teaching (Residents)

Nathanael Lee, MD, PhD, Stanford Neurology Resident, was awarded the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Award for Humanism and Excellence in Teaching (Residents) during the  2024 Stanford Medical Education Awards Ceremony.  The Stanford Medical Education Awards Ceremony honors faculty, residents, students and staff who have made outstanding contributions to MD and MSPA student education.

American Headache Society: Above and Beyond Award

Congratulations, Niushen Zhang, MD, FAHS, on receiving the 2024 American Headache Society: Above and Beyond Award. This award is to acknowledge an AHS member or other individual(s) who have provided significant service during the past 1-2 years.  

Interim Vice Chair Of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

It is our pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Neelam Goyal in her new role as Interim Vice Chair Of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for our department of Neurology.

2024 Grant Recipients- Juliet Knowles & Zach Grinspan

Dr. Juliet Knowles, MD, PhD, and Dr. Zach Grinspan, MD, MS, were awarded a Cure LGS 365 Grant for their study "Leveraging PELHS To Identify Risk Factors For Infantile Epileptic Spasm Syndrome (IESS) To Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) Progression." LGS is a severe form of epilepsy that begins in childhood and is associated with lifelong treatment-refractory seizures and disability.  

Seven Stanford faculty named AAAS Fellows

Tony Wyss-Coray, a faculty member at Stanford University, is among the newly named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He has been recognized for his distinguished research on mechanisms of brain aging and neurodegeneration, the findings of which could lead to new biomarkers and treatments for a range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

2024 AAN A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award

Congratulations Scheherazade Le, MD on receiving a 2024 AAN A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award. Excellent teachers deserve recognition for their contributions to improving neurology now and in the future. Teaching binds students, residents, faculty, other clinicians, researchers, and even patients, together and helps make our daily work more meaningful. This award demonstrates respect and appreciation for neurologic teaching. 

Why detecting the earliest biological signs of Parkinson’s disease is so crucial

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, behind Alzheimer's disease, and affects nearly a million people in the United States. A new test can detect the biological signature of Parkinson’s disease before symptoms arise. Dr. Kathleen Poston explains why early diagnosis opens the door to better therapies.

Stanford Medicine Children’s Health and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford Awarded Magnet® Recognition

 Stanford Medicine Children’s Health announced that it has once again achieved Magnet recognition. This designation reflects its exemplary professional nursing practice, interprofessional teamwork and preeminent patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence.

NINDS K12 Child Neurology Career Development Awardee

Congratulations to Rebecca Levy MD, PhD on being named a CNCDP-K12 scholar beginning July 2024. Dr. Levy is a pediatric neurogeneticist and a physician-scientist who applies neural organoid models to understand and hopefully treat neurogenetic disorders of brain development. Her current focus is on the gene CACNA1C which codes for a calcium channel in the heart and the brain. Dr. Levy is the 5^th NINDS K12 Child Neurology Career Development awardee in 7 years at Stanford. Other awardees include Juliet Knowles, Autumn Ivy, Elizabeth Mayne and Isha Srivastava. This is testimony to what an elite group of trainees and early investigators we have and how Stanford has become one of the very top programs nationally for early scholars. Congratulations!!

Reena Thomas appointed new senior associate dean for medical education

We're thrilled to announce the appointment of Reena Thomas as the new senior associate dean for medical education at Stanford School of Medicine, effective August 1. A recognized leader in medical education with remarkable achievements in cancer research, Thomas will succeed Neil Gesundheit who will continue at the School as a senior advisor. Join us in celebrating this transition, congratulating Thomas on her new role, and thanking Gesundheit for his significant contributions to our School of Medicine.

What really happens to our memory as we age?

A Q&A with Sharon Sha, MD, MS on dementia, healthy aging and memory loss — and how we can protect our brains in later life

The clocks in your body

PODCAST: Join Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD and Nicholas Weiler to learn about new research on how your biological age can be quite different from your chronological age, and why understanding the reason people age at different rates has become a hot topic for researchers who study aging.

Redefining Parkinson's Disease

PODCAST: Join Kathleen Poston, MD, MS and Nicholas Weiler to learn about exciting advances in our ability to detect the brain pathology driving Parkinson's disease and related disorders much earlier, even before symptoms arise, and how this is opening doors for early intervention and — hopefully — prevention.

Antonio Omuro becomes head of Stanford’s Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences

The former chief of neuro-oncology at the Yale School of Medicine is a highly regarded scientist specializing in the study of brain tumors and an advocate of those underrepresented in medicine.

CAR-T therapy for multiple sclerosis enters US trials for first time

Stanford clinician scientists Dr. Jeffrey Dunn and Dr. Robert Lowsky have started the first clinical trial in the US testing CAR-T (CD-19) immunotherapy for Multiple Sclerosis in human subjects, as reported in Nature magazine.

Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute announces 2024 Neuroscience:Translate awards

The Neuroscience:Translate program is intended to support and mentor high-potential projects coming out of Stanford research labs and accelerate their path to practical applications for patients. Paul George, MD, PhD, Michelle James, PhD, and Kristen Steenerson, MD are among the 2024 award recipients.

Stanford Biodesign Faculty Fellowship

Congratulations, Zahra Sadat-Hossieny, MD, on your selection as a Stanford Biodesign Faculty Fellow. The Stanford Biodesign Faculty Fellowship provides motivated Stanford University faculty members from medicine, engineering, or other schools at Stanford with advanced training and mentoring in health technology innovation.

Neurosciences seed grants fuel research in childhood epilepsy, eating disorders, Alzheimer's and more

Wu Tsai Neuro's fifth round of seed grants spark innovative collaborations advancing our knowledge of the mind and brain across the lifespan. Three Stanford Neurology & Neurological Sciences faculty are among recipients.

Frequency of OH in Isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

PODCAST: Dr. Elizabeth Coon talks with Dr. Mitchell G. Miglis about the frequency of orthostatic hypotension in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder.

J. Kiffin Penry Award for Excellence in Epilepsy Care

Brenda E. Porter, MD, PhD, FAES, was awarded the J. Kiffin Penry Award for Excellence in Epilepsy Care during the 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES). The J. Kiffin Penry Award for Excellence in Epilepsy Care honors Dr. Penry’s lifelong focus on and genuine concern for people with epilepsy. It recognizes individuals whose work has had a major impact on patient care and has improved the quality of life for persons with epilepsy. Congratulations, Dr. Porter!

Stanford Medicine-led study finds way to predict which of our organs will fail first

A new study led by Stanford Medicine scientists demonstrates a simple way of studying organ aging by analyzing distinct proteins, or sets of them, in blood, enabling the prediction of individuals’ risk for diseases.

An electrical storm in the brain

Dr. Fiona Baumer joins host Nicholas Weiler in a podcast from the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford University as they dive into the misunderstood and often stigmatized world of epilepsy.

2023 Paul Marks Prize

Michelle Monje, MD, PhD is one of the 2023 winners of The Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research. This prize recognizes a new generation of leaders in cancer research who are making significant contributions to the understanding of cancer or are improving the treatment of the disease through basic or clinical research. The prize is intended to encourage young investigators who have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of cancer research. Congratulations, Dr. Monje!

A new branch of oncology, cancer neuroscience, offers hope for hard-to-treat brain tumors

To drive their growth, many tumors hijack nervous system signals, including those needed for brain plasticity. Stanford Medicine discoveries are opening a promising new branch of oncology research.

Meaningful Medicine: On Ableism in Medicine

Podcast discussing disability and ableism in medical training with Dr. Meaghan Roy-O’Reilly, MD/PhD, a Stanford neurology resident living and working with Charcot-Marie-Tooth peripheral neuropathy.

Neurooncologist Reena Thomas receives CIRM award of nearly $12 million for immunotherapy research

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded $12 million to Reena Thomas, MD, PhD, clinical associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences, for a phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety of a CAR-T cell immunotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme, the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults.  

Arc Institute Ignite Award

Congratulations, Katrin  Andreasson, MD on receiving a 2023 Arc Institute Ignite Award.  Award recipients were selected for their visionary research agendas that venture into little-explored territory. Their expertise complements work happening at Arc and explores focus areas from distinct angles, opening up additional channels for discovery and impact. Dr. Andreasson's grant will investigate the role of dysregulated inflammatory responses that drive age-associated cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.  A primary focus will be on the peripheral innate immune response and how it changes in aging and age-associated inflammatory diseases.  

Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) Board of Directors Selected

Chitra Venkatasubramanian, MBBS, MD, MSc, FNCS was appointed to the Neurocritical Care Society’s (NCS) Board of Directors. Congratulations, Dr. Venkat! 

Stanford Medicine researchers find possible cause of depression after stroke

Depression can be a very serious problem after stroke. This study will help us develop new and better treatments for those who aren't completely treated by current anti-depressants.

Simons Foundation Grant

Congratulations, Chinyere Agbaegbu Iweka, PhD, on receiving a Simons Foundation Independence Award for her work "Circadian regulation of immune cell metabolism and the effect on cognitive flexibility in the aging brain"

2023 Stanford Postdoc JEDI Champion Award

Congratulations, Cellas Hayes, PhD on your 2023 Stanford Postdoc JEDI Champion award! The JEDI Champion Awards are a recognition of current Stanford postdoctoral scholars who have championed initiatives, activities, or efforts that advance justice, equity, diversity, & inclusion at Stanford and beyond. 

Scientists identify ‘Velcro-like’ molecule to potentially treat ALS

Lawrence Steinman, MD and his collaborators recently identified a molecule that could be targeted by drug developers to treat ALS. The protein, alpha 5 integrin, is related to another integrin (alpha 4), a type of protein that helps immune cells move and bind to their surroundings like Velcro.

Welcome Antonio Omuro, MD

The Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences would like to welcome our newly appointed chair, Antonio Omuro, MD, who will join our department in February 2024.

Stanford Medicine-led study finds genetic factor fends off Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

A massive study of medical and genetic data shows that people with a particular version of a gene involved in immune response had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Depression: Early warning sign or risk factor for dementia?

Which comes first: Depression or dementia? A team of scientists led by Victor Henderson, MD found that the risk of dementia more than doubles for people previously diagnosed with depression.

2023 Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award

Congratulations to Juliet Knowles, MD, PhD for receiving a McKnight Foundation 2023 Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award for her work "Neuron-to-OPC synapses in adaptive and maladaptive myelination"

The Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition

Jeff Dunn, MD was awarded The Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Rep. Mike Thompson for advancing the care and research of Multiple Sclerosis.

American Epilepsy Society Junior Investigator Award

Congratulations, Yi Li, MD, PhD, for receiving an American Epilepsy Society Junior Investigator Award for her work titled "Genetic impact of women with epilepsy on their children’s cognitive outcome". 

Interview with Helen Bronte-Stewart, principal investigator, QDG

Helen Bronte-Stewart discusses Quantitative Digitography (QDG), a unique, remote technology that provides health care providers with quantitative, validated measures of all motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Data from alternating finger tapping on the digitography device is analyzed in our HIPAA-compliant cloud-based service, and metrics are available to the provider in the electronic medical record in real time.

Mormino Lab receives Simon's Foundation grant

The Mormino lab receives a collaborative grant from the Simon’s Foundation, “Promoting Functional Brain Maintenance – Insights from Successful Agers.”  This grant brings together a strong international team of principal investigators in the cognitive aging space that includes the Mormino lab at Stanford along with the laboratories of Randy Buckner (Harvard),  Lars Nyberg (Umeå University), Kristine Walhovd (University of Oslo), and Emily Rogalski (Northwestern).  This work will focus on high frequency sampling of biofluid, imaging, cognitive, and lifestyle variables in deeply phenotyped healthy older adults to establish trajectories of successful aging. 

Surviving Migraine: Expert Insights On Migraine Diagnosis and Treatment

June is Migraine Awareness Month. WebMD Podcast. Dr. John Whyte sits down with two migraine experts, Dr. Cynthia E Armand, clinical director of Montefiore Headache Center and fellowship director of the Montefiore Headache Program, and Dr. Addie Peretz, board-certified neurologist and clinical assistant professor at Stanford Medicine, to discuss diagnostic criteria, cardiovascular risks, the impact of social determinants of health, support during reproductive years, and new treatment options to empower long-term migraine sufferers.

Where in the brain is my sense of self?

Ever wonder where in your brain that interesting character called "I" lives? Stanford Medicine physician-scientist Josef Parvizi, MD, PhD, has news of its whereabouts.

Anti-Aging Benefits Could Be Found in Blood

Can Young-Blood Infusions Reverse the Aging Process? A diverse group of researchers are attempting to identify anti-aging components in blood that may help our brains remain younger and fitter as we age.  

Brain cancer specialists hope Biden’s Moonshot speeds therapies

The goal of the Moonshot initiative -- named after President John F. Kennedy's audacious 1961 vow to put a human on the moon -- is to cut the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years. How? By bridging chasms between scientific research and therapeutic solutions, beginning with a focus on cancer's most deadly forms.

Stroke Risk Rising in Young People

2 million young adults suffer from strokes ever year. Maarten Lansberg, MD, PhD, professor at the Stanford Stroke Center, provides insight about risk factors.

The future of movement disorders

Helen Bronte-Stewart is a neurologist and an expert in movement disorders, like Parkinson’s. She says new approaches, such as closed-loop deep-brain stimulation, and new digital health technologies that chart subtle changes in movement are reshaping the field, leading to new understandings and new treatments for this once-untreatable disease. To modulate behavior, you first have to measure it, Bronte-Stewart tells host Russ Altman. It’s the future of movement disorders in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Multisite thalamic recordings to characterize seizure propagation in the human brain

In the first of its kind, a group of investigators at Stanford Healthcare mapped the pathways for seizure propagation through the brain’s switchboard (thalamus) in patients with presumed refractory temporal lobe epilepsy by recording simultaneously from multiple sites within this structure. Their findings - now published by Teresa Wu and colleagues in Brain – reveals a novel and surprising finding: In more than half of the patients, seizures do not spread the way we thought they did! They concluded that personalized targeting of the thalamus for neuromodulation in each patient may lead to better treatment outcomes in these patients. 

Parkinson's Disease Biomarker Found

In an enormous leap forward in the understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD), researchers have discovered a new tool that can reveal a key pathology of the disease: abnormal alpha-synuclein — known as the “Parkinson’s protein” — in brain and body cells. The breakthrough, announced last night as it was published in the scientific journal The Lancet Neurology, opens a new chapter for research, with the promise of a future where every person living with Parkinson’s can expect improved care and treatments — and newly diagnosed individuals may never advance to full-blown symptoms.

Epstein Barr Virus & Multiple Sclerosis – Jeffrey Dunn, M.D.

New research shows that Multiple Sclerosis may be caused by Epstein Barr virus infection. Learn more in this informative Grand Rounds lecture at the Seattle Science Foundation by Jeffrey Dunn, MD.

Scientists dance the beautiful brain

To some an unlikely pair, neuroscience and art were a natural complement during a performance hosted by Stanford's Medicine & the Muse program, which featured an evening of dance theater celebrating neuroscience.

The Documentary: The long haul of long Covid

Three years after the official declaration of a pandemic, 65 million people - one in 10 who had Covid-19 - still have symptoms. Some are so ill they are yet to return to work. Michelle Monje-Deisseroth, MD, PhD and other researchers around the world try to unravel the cause behind long COVID which is associated with around 200 symptoms including persistent cognitive impairment.  

Scientists find genetic Alzheimer’s risk factor tied to African ancestry

A genetic risk factor found virtually exclusively among people of at least partial African ancestry substantially boosts the risk of incurring Alzheimer’s disease — but only sometimes.

Bold ideas to advance healthy brain aging win inaugural Knight Initiative grants

The Phil and Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural 2022 Innovation and Catalyst Grants.

New Study Finds Link Between POTS and Long COVID

NBC's Today Show highlights Dr. Mitchell Miglis and the Stanford Autonomic Division's ongoing research efforts in Long-COVID. Dr. Miglis' team is currently recruiting patients who developed Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) after COVID, as well as those who had COVID and fully recovered, and those who never had COVID, for an NIH-sponsored study to better understand the mechanisms of Long-COVID dysautonomia. If interested, please email: rubas@stanford.edu.

Science Philosophy in a Flash: Wired to Regenerate

Paul George taps into the bioelectrical language of the injured brain to reawaken the healing potential of neural stem cells. Inspired by his patients, he looks for innovative strategies that may one day help patients recover from neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke. In this episode, Iris Kulbatski from The Scientist’s Creative Services Team spoke with George to learn more about what being a scientist means to him.

One of Long COVID’s Worst Symptoms Is Also Its Most Misunderstood

Brain fog isn’t like a hangover or depression. It’s a disorder of executive function that makes basic cognitive tasks absurdly hard.

Human brain cells transplanted into rat brains hold promise for neuropsychiatric research

Lab-grown clusters of human brain cells integrate so well into young rats’ brains they enable researchers to study neurodevelopmental disorders’ molecular and circuit underpinnings.

How far would you go to live better, for longer?

Join Chris Hemsworth and our very own Sharon Sha, MD, MS, in exploring the boundaries of human potential in #LimitlessWithChrisHemsworth, a Disney+ Original series from National Geographic, streaming November 16 on Disney+.

Three Dimensions of Association Link Migraine Symptoms and Functional Connectivity

Stanford researchers Rob Cowan and Danielle DeSouza, collaborating with colleagues at the University of Maryland recently published in the Journal of Neuroscience a ground-breaking study looking at fMRI correlates of migraine chronification in subsets of patients with episodic and chronic migraine. The study identified, for the first time, distinct subgroups within the migraine population which may lead to novel biomarkers and more patient-centered treatment strategies.

Worse anxiety, depression symptoms in pregnant women with epilepsy

Women with epilepsy experience more anxiety and depression symptoms during and after pregnancy than other women, according to a new study led by researchers at Stanford Medicine.

The science behind muscle memory

Stanford Medicine researchers tracked memory formation in real time, watching how muscle memory is created.

Can we rejuvenate aging brains?

What can we all be doing in the here and now to keep our brains in shape? Stanford Medicine neuroscientist Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, discusses his findings in the field of cognitive rejuvenation.

Ask Me Anything: Brain health and cognition

Q&A with Sharon Sha MD, MS: Dr. Sha weighs in on how the brain controls our movements, behavior, thoughts and memories -- and how that changes when things go awry.

A Personalized Approach to Managing Migraine With Complementary and Integrative Medicine

Listen to Niushen Zhang, MD, FAHS, Division Chief of  the Stanford Headache division and Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, discuss lifestyle modifications including aerobic exercise, sleep quality, behavioral therapies, nutrition and other strategies to combat migraine.

Nine Stanford scientists receive cancer research funding totaling $13 million

The funding, from Cancer Grand Challenges, will help the researchers address difficult problems in cancer prevention, treatment-resistant cancers and therapies for pediatric solid tumors.

Brain fog after COVID-19 has similarities to ‘chemo brain,’ Stanford-led study finds

Researchers found that damage to the brain’s white matter after COVID-19 resembles that seen after cancer chemotherapy, raising hope for treatments to help both conditions.

A rare mutation protects against Alzheimer's disease, Stanford-led research finds

Researchers, led by Michael Greicius, MD, MPH have discovered that a rare mutation inherited with the APOE4 gene variant protects against Alzheimer's, shedding new light on ways to counteract high-risk genes for the disease.

Q&A: How the aging immune system impacts brain health

Katrin Andreasson discusses how immune cells can cause harmful brain inflammation and contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

Excellence in Workplace Award

Congratulations, Rebecca Miller-Kuhlmann, MD, on your Excellence in Workplace Award! This award is presented to a physician whose efforts demonstrably improves the “practice life” and satisfaction of providers in the delivery of clinical care. This individual strives to enhance work-life balance and highlights the importance of wellness and fulfillment at work.

2022 McCormick and Gabilan Faculty Awards

Congratulations, Juliet Knowles, MD, PhD, on your 2022 McCormick Faculty Award. This award was established to support the advancement of women in medicine and/or medical research directly, or by supporting the mentoring, training and encouragement of women pursuing the study of medicine, in teaching medicine, and engaging in medical research.

Covid and the brain: A neurological health crisis

Even a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause inflammation that disrupts neural communication, says Stanford neurologist Michelle Monje. Her concern is that Covid-19 may leave millions dealing with cognitive problems, from a loss of mental sharpness to lapses in memory, that prevent them from returning to their previous level of function.

Young cerebrospinal fluid probably improves the conductivity of the neurons in ageing mice.

Scientists have been trying to unravel the mysteries of why memory diminishes with age for decades. Now they have discovered a possible remedy — cerebrospinal fluid from younger brains.

The brain ‘learns’ to have seizures more efficiently and frequently over time, mouse study shows

Drs. Juliet Knowles, John Huguenard and Michelle Monje led studies which demonstrated that activity-dependent myelin plasticity, which occurs in the setting of seizures, can promote further seizure progression. This is the first demonstration of maladaptive myelination: activity-dependent myelination that promotes a disease process. 

Scientific endeavor launched to combat neurodegeneration

A new initiative on brain resilience will study the causes of cognitive decline – what may be done to prevent, delay, or reverse the decline – and what goes right for those who keep their cognitive abilities intact. Based at the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, this scientific endeavor is being launched by a $75 million gift from Nike founder Philip H. Knight, MBA ’62, and his wife, Penny. Tony Wyss-Coray, the D. H. Chen Distinguished Professor II of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford, has been appointed the inaugural director of the Phil and Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience.

Brains and Heart

Neurologist Michelle Monje harnesses passion and purpose as she works to cure a devastating childhood cancer.

Electrically stimulated stem cells aid stroke recovery in rodents, Stanford researchers find

Stanford scientists in the Paul George Lab have developed a device that delivers and electrically stimulates stem cells to promote stroke healing.

Breastfeeding is Safe for Children of Women with Epilepsy on Antiseizure Medication

In an ongoing multicenter NIH study of pregnancy outcomes in women with epilepsy, Dr. Meador and colleagues found that breastfeeding while taking antiseizure medications did not have any adverse effects on the child’s cognitive function at age 3 years old. This may be in part because the concentrations of antiseizure medications are much lower in these child than their mothers. Given the multiple known benefits of breastfeeding to the mother and child, Dr. Meador encourages women with epilepsy to breastfeed.

Small molecule lends big hope for brutal seizure disorder

Dravet's syndrome is a severe epilepsy of childhood with difficult to treat seizures, cognitive abnormalities and premature death. Professor David Prince, Feng Gu and colleagues in Neurology and Neurological Sciences showed that they can limit seizures and death in a mouse model of Dravet's using a small molecule that corrects a basic abnormality in brain nerve cells. Results may have significant translational impact. 

Genetic atlas links Alzheimer’s with brain’s blood vessels

Q&A with Tony Wyss-Coray about the lab's interest in exploring the role of the brain's vasculature in Alzheimer's disease and the implications of new findings for the search for better therapies.

How to Deal With a Stress Migraine When Life Is, Well, Stressful

While everyone has different migraine triggers, stress tops the list. What can you do to manage that stress? Niushen Zhang, MD, clinical assistant professor & chief of the Headache Division at Stanford discusses ways to get started.

Love means sharing the champagne

Stanford neuroscientists Karl Deisseroth and Michelle Monje-Deisseroth talk about finding love on campus and how they approach the career-family puzzle together.

From loss comes hope: Pediatric brain tumor treatment shows promise

Research from early clinical trials of pediatric glioma patients shows that altered immune cells can fight the deadly brainstem tumor.

NIH U19 grant award

Congratulations to Drs. Michelle Monje, Mike Lim, and Reena Thomas for their successful U19 grant award from the NIH.  In a collaborative effort with the Harvard brain tumor program, this grant will allow for the evaluation of multiple novel therapeutics for patients afflicted by glioblastoma brain tumors. The correlative studies proposed will also advance precision medicine and our scientific understanding of the disease to ultimately improve treatment of adult glioblastoma brain tumors. This grant also means that Stanford has become a member of the prestigious new National Cancer Institute “Glioblastoma Therapeutic Network”, a national clinical trial consortium for adult brain tumors that will increase the cutting edge clinical trial options for Stanford patients.

Study identifies how Epstein-Barr virus triggers multiple sclerosis

A new study found that part of the Epstein-Barr virus mimics a protein made in the brain and spinal cord, leading the immune system to mistakenly attack the body’s nerve cells.

ACNS Distinction in Service Award

Congratulations, Dr. Courtney Wusthoff, the inaugural recipient of the ACNS Distinction in Service Award! This award was created by the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) to recognize a mid-career ACNS member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the field of clinical neurophysiology at the institutional or national level.

2022 ACNS Young Investigator Travel Award

Thomas Hirschauer MD, PhD, Clinical Neurophysiology/Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Fellow at Stanford, received the ACNS Young Investigator Travel Award for his work "Multimodal Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring for the Detection of Cerebral Ischemia During Carotid Endarterectomy"

Second cohort of CZ Biohub Investigators includes 33 Stanford faculty

Dr. Katrin Andreasson was selected from nearly 700 applicants as a Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator. The Investigator Program, open to faculty members at Stanford University, UC San Francisco, and UC Berkeley, awards $1 million in unrestricted funds over five years to each Investigator, with the goal of building engaged, collaborative communities of Bay Area scientists to undertake creative and innovative research that will help solve the biggest challenges in biomedicine.

Blood from marathoner mice boosts brain function in their couch-potato counterparts

In a Stanford study, sedentary mice appear to benefit from another same-aged mouse’s exercise - if they receive injections of its blood. 

The ANA Q&A: Dr. Kimford J. Meador | Epilepsy

In recognition of National Epilepsy Awareness Month (November), The American Neurological Association spoke with Kimford J. Meador, MD, FANA, FAAN, FAES, FRCPE, for this month's ANA Q&A. 

National Academy of Medicine Elects 100 New Members

Michelle Monje, MD, PhD was elected as a NAM member - considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health & medicine recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding professional achievement & commitment to service.

New ways to prevent — or even reverse — dementia, paralysis and blindness

In the past few decades, researchers have devised methods to manipulate the brain and central nervous system to help the paralyzed move, enable the blind to see, and move closer to restoring lost cognitive abilities.

Opening stroke’s window

On a mission to defend more stroke patients from a life of disability, Stanford Medicine colleagues drive research that extends the window for effective intervention.

Can major surgery increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease?

Dr. Greicius and colleagues in anesthesia (Igor Feinstein and Martin Angst), have shown that p-tau181, a blood-based Alzheimer’s biomarker, increases significantly during surgery and rises to levels typically seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The p-tau181 levels slowly decline after surgery but remain elevated in some patients for at least two days after surgery. The study paves the way for future work that will try to link molecular changes induced by surgery to the longer term post-operative decline that occurs in some surgical patients.

Neuroscientist Michelle Monje awarded MacArthur 'genius grant'

The neuroscientist and pediatric neuro-oncologist is being recognized for her work to understand healthy brain development and create therapies for a group of lethal brain tumors.

How Tri-Valley hospital helps patients survive stroke

Stanford Health Care – ValleyCare's stroke program is recognized for its commitment to meeting rigorous national standards of stroke care.

Stanford’s Rhiju Das, Michelle Monje and Kristy Red-Horse announced as Howard Hughes investigators

Stanford University researchers who study three-dimensional structures of biological molecules, aggressive brain cancers and how to heal diseased hearts are among 33 scientists from 21 institutions announced as new Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators. The Stanford faculty members are Kristy Red-Horse, associate professor of biology at the School of Humanities and Sciences, Rhiju Das, associate professor of biochemistry, and Michelle Monje, associate professor of neurology.

Neurology Postdocs Recognized with Stanford Postdoc JEDI Champion Awards

Chinyere Iweka, Faculty Mentor: Katrin Andreasson
Brielle Ferguson, Faculty Mentor: John Huguenard

Stanford Postdoc JEDI Champion Awards are a recognition of current Stanford University postdoctoral scholars who have championed initiatives, activities, or efforts that advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at Stanford and beyond. 

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center renamed for Asad Jamal, Iqbal Farrukh

The Good Planet Foundation has pledged to establish an endowed fund within the Stanford University Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences.  Endowment income will be used to support the Asad Jamal and Iqbal Farrukh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.  The Good Planet Foundation has also made a gift to establish the Asad Jamal and Iqbal Farrukh Professorship, with Dr. Michael Greicius designated as the inaugural holder.

Dunlevie Family University Fellow in Undergraduate Education

Congratulations to Paul Graham Fisher, MD, Professor of Neurology & Neurological Sciences for his reappointment to another 5 year term as Dunlevie Family University Fellow in Undergraduate Education. Fisher teaches the popular undergraduate classes “Cancer Epidemiology” and “The Human Organism” in Human Biology.  He was the Bing Director of Human Biology from 2012 through 2019.

Association of Short and Long Sleep Duration With Amyloid-β Burden and Cognition in Aging

What role does self-reported sleep duration play in brain amyloid-β accumulation, cognitive performance, and lifestyle factors in the context of healthy aging? In 4417 older adults, short sleep duration (6 hrs or less) was associated with higher levels of amyloid. Short and long (9+ hrs) sleepers had different patterns of cognitive performance, suggesting short vs long sleep represent distinct phenotypes in aging.

Understanding the risks of seizure-stopping drugs in pregnancy

A new study by Kimford Meador, MD and his colleagues answers the question "What is the association between fetal exposure to antiseizure medication (ASM) and subsequent cognitive abilities of the child?" 

Stanford researchers find signs of inflammation in brains of people who died of COVID-19

A detailed molecular analysis of tissue from the brains of individuals who died of COVID-19 reveals extensive signs of inflammation and neurodegeneration, but no sign of the virus that causes the disease. 

Kelley M. Skeff GME Professionalism Award

Congratulations, Nick Murray, MD for winning the inaugural Kelley M. Skeff GME Professionalism Award! This award, named in honor of Dr. Kelley Skeff (prior Stanford internal medicine residency program director and internationally known leader in education), recognizes high levels of excellence and compassion in professional behavior through collaborative work with colleagues, faculty and staff from across the institution. Congrats, Dr. Murray!

Oscar Salvatierra Award

Congratulations to Jeffrey Dunn, MD, inaugural award winner of the Oscar Salvatierra Award for Exceptional Service to Stanford medical students and the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Dunn built the Neurology clerkship into a model of national excellence and the highest rated clerkship in the SOM for more than a decade, inspiring more than a thousand medical students during his tenure.

Award for Excellence in Promotion of Diversity and Societal Citizenship

Congratulations to Reena Thomas, MD, PhD for receiving the Stanford Award for Excellence in Promotion of Diversity and Societal Citizenship. This award was established to recognize individuals that have made significant contributions to the promotion of the principles of diversity and societal citizenship at the Stanford School of Medicine. 

Robert Cowan, MD, on Sex and Race Disparities in Migraine Patients

Subgroup disparities such as sex and race are more significant among patients with migraine, according to the results of a recent study presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2021 Virtual Meeting.  Q&A with Robert Cowan, MD, FAAN, Clinical Professor of Neurology, on Sex and Race Disparities in Migraine Patients. 

Living a Whole Life With Half a Brain

Complex brain surgery performed at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford cures severe epilepsy in a 7-year-old boy.

Patient and Clinician Perspectives of New and Return Ambulatory Teleneurology Visits

In a manuscript that is now online first at Neurology: Clinical Practice, a team led by Clinical Assistant Professor Jessica Walter asks patients and clinicians what works best about teleneurology. 

Reassuring News for Women Taking Epilepsy Meds While Pregnant

Toddlers whose mothers took certain epilepsy drugs during pregnancy are unlikely to have development delays, according to a new study led by Kimford Meador, professor of neurology and neurological sciences.

Link found between cannabis and rebound headaches after migraine

In a new study, Dr. Niushen Zhang and her colleagues found that people with chronic migraines appear six times more likely to experience rebound headaches if they use cannabis, as compared with migraine patients who don't use the drug.

Study reveals immune driver of brain aging

Scientists have identified a key factor in mental aging and shown that it might be prevented or reversed by fixing a glitch in the immune system’s front-line soldiers.

First Diversity Week at Stanford Medicine tackles tough topics in medical education, health care

When Reena Thomas, MD, PhD, associate dean for diversity in medical education, came up with the idea for Diversity Week, the concept was simple: Unite several of Stanford Medicine’s diversity and inclusion events into one week of livestreamed talks. The topics the week would address, however, were anything but simple.

Falling Walls Award Winner: Breaking the Wall of Brain Cancer

Michelle Monje, MD, PhD has been awarded the Falling Walls Foundation “top 10 breakthroughs of the year” in the life sciences for her discovery of synapses between neurons and brain cancer cells and the role of neuronal activity in malignant glioma progression. Congratulations, Michelle!

Administration of Dexamethasone for Bacterial Meningitis: An Unreliable Quality Measure

Neurohospitalist Fellow Dr. Shefali Dujari analyzed the quality of. an AAN Quality Measure and found room for improvement.

What to Do About Racism in Medicine? These Diversity Leaders in Neurology Chart a Course with Faculty

Following the murder of George Floyd in May and the rise of the nationwide movement Black Lives Matter, neurologists in academic medical centers have doubled down on initiatives around anti-racism—from developing more inclusive curricula to building out programs that encourage earlier recruitment of diverse students in medicine and neurology. 

Researchers pinpoint brain circuitry underlying dissociative experiences

Stanford scientists identified brain circuitry that plays a role in the mysterious experience called dissociation, in which people can feel disconnected from their bodies and reality.

What we can learn from COVID-19 in kids

Stanford Professor of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Lawrence Steinman, MD, discusses what we can learn from COVID-19 in kids in a new paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

Neurologists at Stanford’s ValleyCare tackle COVID-19 using telemedicine and a passion for patient care

Armed with personal protective equipment (PPE), telemedicine tools and a shared passion to deliver the best patient care they can, neurologists working at the satellite Stanford ValleyCare hospital in Pleasanton are finding ways to adapt to the new normal of medical care amid a pandemic.

Stanford postdoc helps create Black in Neuro Week

Brielle Ferguson, PhD, a co-president of the Stanford Black Postdoc Association and a current postdoc in the John Huguenard Lab in Neurology, has helped to organize a social media project called Black in Neuro Week to amplify contributions from Black scientists to neuroscience, neurology and related fields.

Why the blood-brain barrier is really a filter, and what this means for the aging brain

What scientists have long called the "blood-brain barrier" seems to be more of a "blood-brain filter" and like most filters, this one seems to get both a bit clogged up and a bit leaky with advancing age. New research by Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD in Nature shows that hundreds of proteins that occur naturally in healthy young mice's blood routinely gain entry into the mice's brains -- provided the proteins present the proper credentials.

These 5 numbers tell you everything you need to know about racial disparities in health care

In a new piece, Dean Lloyd Minor discusses how racial inequities have a lasting impact on our health. He outlines three priorities for academic medical centers to bring about change and recognize the importance of social determinants of health.

Lessons Learned from the Rapid Launch of Video Visits

Led by Clinical Assistant Professor Laurice Yang, MD, MHA, a team of Stanford neurologists and colleagues from the Evaluation Sciences Unit have described the experience of rapidly launching teleneurology in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some COVID-19 patients aren't getting better. Major medical centers are trying to figure out how to help.

The autonomic team at Stanford Neurology is launching a patient registry to investigate "long-haul" symptoms of SARS-CoV-2, many of which resemble symptoms that are common in other post-viral autonomic syndromes the team is used to seeing, such as postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and chronic fatigue syndrome. The team hopes to leverage these data to both better understand the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2, but also autonomic disorders such as POTS, a condition that is alternatively debilitating to patients and dismissed by physicians due to lack of clear mechanisms. COVID-19 may provide such a mechanism to explore.

National Institute on Aging awards $15 million to Stanford’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

The National Institute on Aging has awarded a $15 million grant to the Stanford Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, which investigates Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and related disorders. The center is led by director Victor Henderson, professor of health research and policy and of neurology and neurological sciences, and associate director Katrin Andreasson, professor of neurology and neurological sciences.

Negative Thinking Can Harm Your Brain and Increase Your Dementia Risk

A new study shows that repetitive negative thinking, a mechanism proposed to underlie several known psychological Alzheimer's disease risk factors, is itself associated with cognitive decline as well as amyloid and tau deposition on PET scans. Jacob Hall, MD, Clinical Assistant Processor of Neurology, comments on the study's findings.

Fewer stroke patients are coming to hospitals because of the coronavirus pandemic

Hospitals across the United States are seeing fewer stroke patients coming to their facilities for care — and a new paper ties that trend to the coronavirus pandemic. The paper, published Friday in the New England Journal of Medicine as a letter to the editor, suggests that the number of patients in the United States undergoing imaging for stroke evaluation has decreased by 39% since before the pandemic.

Neurologist: The brain is complicated, largely unknown

In the latest 1:2:1 podcast hosted by Paul Costello, senior communications strategist and advisor, Sharon Sha, clinical associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences, discusses ways to improve brain health and counteract genetic factors for memory loss. 

15 Stanford faculty members elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Fifteen Stanford faculty members are among the 276 new members elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which honors exceptional scholars, leaders, artists and innovators engaged in advancing the public good. We congratulate Thomas Rando, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, on this achievement.

Keeping Communication a Priority during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hospital halls are usually bustling with patients’ friends and family, but are empty during visitor restrictions enacted to keep patients and healthcare workers safe. In a commentary for Neurology, neurohospitalist fellow Dr. Tarini Goyal explored how neurologists can still keep patients and family connected to the medical team. 

Longevity Gene May Protect against a Notorious Alzheimer’s Risk Gene

Stanford Medicine researchers have found that a common variant in one gene reduces risk of Alzheimer's disease in those at high genetic risk from a second gene.

Exercise restores youthful properties to muscle stem cells of old mice

The researchers also identified a molecular pathway involved in turning back the clock on the cells. Drugs that could manipulate the pathway might be an effective substitute for exercise, they suggest.

New brain implant device could record activity in thousands of neurons

A team of Stanford University researchers led by Jun Ding, PhD, has created a device that, once implanted in the brain, could help record movies of electrical neural activity in thousands of individual neurons. The device, described in a paper published March 20 in Science Advances, could be used for research or with prosthetics, and is capable of recording more data while being less intrusive than other options.  

Stanford community gathers resources in support of COVID-19 testing

As the second weekend of March approached and consumers raided grocery shelves for toilet paper, labs also scrambled to keep a sufficient stock of key supplies -- in their case, those needed to test patient samples for the virus causing COVID-19. Emails searching for spare materials landed in the inboxes of researchers, and the Stanford community sprang into action.

Old human cells rejuvenated with stem cell technology

Old human cells can become more youthful by coaxing them to briefly express proteins used to make induced pluripotent cells, Stanford researchers and their colleagues have found. The finding may have implications for aging research.  

Residents are still mastering medicine. But can they fix health care problems too?

Stanford neurologists have launched a quality improvement curriculum with an eye on the patient care process -- how it can be improved to deliver better results for patients while saving money.

Neurology care at Stanford inspired patient to return as a nurse

When Isabelle Yi was in 3rd grade she was treated at Stanford Hospital for an AVM. "I remember feeling very cared for as a patient," Yi said. So, in college she decided she wanted to switch her focus to nursing. Today she works as a nursing coordinator in neurology. "It was a dream come true."

Eponyms are here to stay

Calls to remove eponyms—diseases or tests named for individual physicians—from neurology have been made for decades. In a new study published in Neurology, Stanford medical student Jimmy Zheng and Carl Gold, MD, MS, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology found that the use of eponyms persists in the literature and among neurology trainees. 

Suspicion: Why are virus-targeting immune cells sniffing around Alzheimer’s patients’ brains?

In a new study published in Nature, Stanford neuroscientist Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, and his colleagues report the startling discovery of virus-obsessed immune cells in autopsied brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients, and in cerebrospinal fluid (which bathes our brains) of living individuals diagnosed with the disease.

Think fast: 5 things you can do to improve your memory right now

With rates of Alzheimer’s disease on the rise, there are simple things you can do to improve your memory. Sharon Sha, MD, MS, clinical associate professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences and clinical core co-leader of the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, provides tips on how to boost your brain power in this piece.

Blood protein signatures change across lifespan

Protein levels in people’s blood can predict their age, a Stanford study has found. The study also found that aging isn’t a smoothly continuous process. The work of senior author Tony Wyss-Coray, professor of neurology and neurological sciences and co-director of the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Benoit Lehallier, instructor of neurology and neurological sciences, is highlighted in this piece.

Epileptic High-Frequency Oscillations Disrupt Cognition in Human Brain

A new study demonstrates that there are normal physiological responses to cognitive stimuli in non-lesional epileptic tissue unless there is ongoing spontaneous high-frequency oscillation. Josef Parvizi, MD, PhD, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, is quoted in this article.

Stanford scientists reliably predict people’s age by measuring proteins in blood

Protein levels in people’s blood can predict their age, a Stanford study, lead by Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, the D. H. Chen Professor II and co-director of the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, has found. The study also found that aging isn’t a smoothly continuous process.

Digital health trial uses AI for better epilepsy treatment decisions

More than 65 million people around the world are affected by epilepsy. Choosing from over 14,000 different treatment scenarios to decide which drugs might be best for a child or a loved one can be daunting. Robert Fisher, MD, PhD, professor of neurology and neurological sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine and director of the Stanford Epilepsy Center is the principal investigator of the AI epilepsy trial. The new trial’s goal is to help determine the precision of epilepsy treatment options incorporating many “real world” variables.

Scientists find promising drug combination against lethal childhood brain cancers

Stanford neuro-oncologist Michelle Monje teamed up with Craig Thomas at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and Kathy Warren from NCI (now at DFCI) to perform high-throughput drug screening of patient-derived cultures of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, the leading cause of brain tumor-related death in children. The study, led by MD PhD student and future neurologist Grant L. Lin, uncovered a promising two-drug combination that shows benefit in preclinical studies and will advance to clinical trial soon. The mechanism of drug-drug synergy was determined to be metabolic collapse, highlighting a key avenue for future strategies in this lethal childhood brain cancer. Stanford neurologist Kati Andreasson’s lab contributed importantly to the metabolic mechanistic studies.

Think You’re at Risk of Dementia? Here’s What You Should Know

The effects of dementia vary and the disease doesn’t have a single cause, but there are a number of factors that could increase an individual’s risk of developing dementia. Learn more about risk factors and prevention.

Stanford neurology joins new ‘team science’ complex for brain research and molecular discovery

Teams of scientists, engineers and clinicians from across Stanford’s campus will join forces, share expertise and access laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment, thanks to an expansive new research complex opening this month. “This building, which includes 24 faculty labs and a sandbox for testing experimental devices, will help foster new levels of interaction that will benefit a much larger community.” Neurology scientists moving to this complex include Tony Wyss-Coray, John Huguenard, and Michael Greicius.

ROSA(tm) and Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery May Cure Epilepsy

Gerald Grant, MD, Neurosurgery Division Chief, and pediatric epilepsy neurologists with the Packard Children’s Pediatric Epilepsy Center, gives kids with uncontrolled epileptic seizures a powerful option to explore when medications are not working by using the ROSA robot. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital is the first hospital in Northern California to have ROSA.

Study aims to learn more about silent infarction, cognitive decline linked to silent stroke

Can you have a stroke and not know it? Unfortunately, yes. It is a phenomenon called a silent stroke or, more formally, a silent cerebral infarction. Investigators at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Stanford University want to learn more about silent strokes and their role in brain health, including dementia.

Study shows why even well-controlled epilepsy can disrupt thinking

Transient bursts of high-frequency electrical activity in epileptic brain tissue can impair cognition even when no seizure is occurring, Stanford scientists have found.

Jin Hyung Lee receives 2019 NIH Director's Pioneer Award

Lee received the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, which was established to provide funding for investigators at all career levels with bold and innovative research projects. Lee plans to use her award to develop mechanogenetics, a novel method that enables noninvasive, precisely targeted spatial and mechanical perturbation of living cells within the mammalian brain, and a functional ultrasound imaging technology that can monitor whole-brain function in animals that are awake and active.

Stanford Stroke Center beats national stroke treatment times

During a stroke, 1.9 million neurons die every minute. Stanford Health Care cut half an hour off its stroke treatment time, helping patients.

Vascular Dementia Treatment: How Lifestyle Changes Are Key to Prevention

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia but it can be difficult to diagnose. Dr. Marion Buckwalter, associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery, discusses possible causes and how to reduce the risk of getting dementia.

Brain tumors form synapses with healthy neurons, Stanford-led study finds

Tumors called high-grade gliomas wire themselves into the healthy brain, receiving and interpreting electrical signals from normal neurons, a Stanford study has found.

Project BIG: The Stanford Brain Immune Gut Initiative

The Stanford Multiple Sclerosis Center announces "Project BIG," the Brain, Immune and Gut Research Initiative to find the cause and cure of Multiple Sclerosis. Project BIG is designed to overcome the inherent difficulties of discovering the mechanisms of MS by inverting traditional paradigms. Using a broad interdisciplinary collaborative model with a tight interface between clinicians and scientists, Project BIG will seek to identify the patient's unique "immuno-fingerprint" as a step toward the true practice of precision medicine. Nearly one million men and women are afflicted with MS nationally.

Understanding Barriers to Effective Goals of Care Discussions

Neurohospitalist Fellow Dr. Tarini Goyal, colleagues in the Department of Surgery, and Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Carl Gold have published an article in Neurology titled "Education Research: Understanding Barriers to Goals of Care Communication for Neurology Trainees." Now available online, the study describes the perspectives of Stanford Neurology residents regarding patient-level, resident-level, and systems-level barriers to effective goals of care discussions.

Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force Appointments Announced

Sharon Sha, MD, clinical associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences, was appointed as a member of the Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force for the State of California by Governor Gavin Newsom and Task Force Chair Maria Shriver.

Drugs for Parkinson’s, Depression Can Raise Dementia Risk By 50%

New research shows that anti-cholinergic drugs, used to treat conditions from depression to Parkinson’s disease, may increase older adults’ risk of getting dementia by 50%. Dr. Frank Longo, Chair of the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, comments on the study’s findings.

Stanford Program Takes 3-Pronged Approach to Burnout: Education, Mentorship, and Community-Building

A mentorship program at Stanford is helping to prevent burnout and promote wellness to neurology residents, fellows, and faculty. Early response from surveys of the participants indicate it may be working.

New hope for treating childhood brain cancer

In a recent segment on Stanford Radio's The Future of Everything, hosted by Stanford professor Russ Altman, MD, PhD, Monje discussed developments in the field, including immunotherapy as a promising new approach to the treatment of brain cancer in children.

Scientists shrink stroke damage in mice by calming immune cells outside brain

Investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that suppressing the activity of a small set of immune cells in mice after they've had a stroke substantially reduces their brain damage, boosts their survival rate and improves their motor performance days later.

Spirit, Inspiring Change award winners announced

The recipients of the School of Medicine’s 2019 Spirit Award are Jackie Bautista and Kelly Adams. Bahij Austin and Loto Reed received the Inspiring Change Leadership Award.

New Stanford Hospital nearing completion

The seven-story, 824,000-square-foot facility will accommodate advances in medical technology, increase capacity and meet new earthquake safety standards.

Blocking protein curbs memory loss in old mice

Impeding VCAM1, a protein that tethers circulating immune cells to blood vessel walls, enabled old mice to perform as well on memory and learning tests as young mice, a Stanford study found.

Time: The huge game changer for treatment of stroke, a podcast

Albers, director of the Stanford Stroke Center, has been working to understand the mechanisms governing strokes for nearly 30 years. Thanks to that dogged work, Albers hit gold in 2018 with the release of data from a large multisite clinical trial, DEFUSE 3.

Breadth of student research showcased at annual symposium

Sixty medical students presented a broad array of projects at this year’s medical student research symposium. Med Scholars mentor, Reena Thomas, MD, PhD, clinical assistant professor of neurology and neurological sciences, discusses how supporting students is one of her favorite aspects of the work.

Variability in Prion Disease–Related Safety Policies

Variability in Prion Disease–Related Safety Policies Text: PGY4 Dr. Katherine Werbaneth, medical student Praveen Tummalapalli, and Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Carl Gold have published an article in The Neurohospitalist titled "National Variability in Prion Disease-Related Safety Policies for Neurologic Procedures." Now OnlineFirst ahead of print, the study describes the lack of consistent safety protocols for neurosurgical procedures and lumbar punctures for patients with prion diseases at top hospitals in the United States.

Stanford, Georgia Tech researchers build a glove to treat symptoms of stroke

Strokes often have a devastating impact on something most of us rely heavily on in our daily lives – our hands. Now, Stanford researchers are collaborating on a vibrating glove that could improve hand function after a stroke.

Blocking protein’s activity restores cognition in old mice

Brain cells called microglia serve as the brain’s garbage crew, scarfing up bits of cellular debris. But their underperformance in aging brains contributes to neurodegeneration. Now, a possible workaround?

What Is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

Mitchell Miglis, a clinical assistant professor in the department of neurology at Stanford University and a sleep medicine specialist at the Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine discusses REM behavior disorder or RBD.

Want to Become a Full-Time Neurohospitalist? Where the Training Opportunities Are Available

The Stanford Neurohospitalist Fellowship launches on July 1, 2019. Despite a major demand for neurohospitalists, this fellowship is one of only a handful in the country focused on training leaders in the field. An article in Neurology Today describes the growth of the neurohospitalist field and the current training opportunities.

Immune profile two days after stroke predicts dementia a year later

Stanford researchers have found that transient changes in the numbers and activation levels of a handful of circulating immune cell types can predict the likelihood of dementia one year after a stroke. Marion Buckwalter, associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery, and Brice Gaudilliere, assistant author of anesthesiology, preoperative and pain medicine, are senior authors of the study.

What It’s Like to Be So Sleep Deprived That You Hallucinate

In this article, Emmanuel During discusses how sleep deprivation can lead to psychosis, which often starts with visual hallucinations.  

Helping a child's brain to heal

A rare genetic disorder left an infant with debilitating seizures and developmental delays. The medicines weren't working, but the family and their team of doctors at Stanford Children's Health, including Dr. Brenda Porter and Dr. Gerald Grant, refused to give up hope.

Capturing the brain’s learning and recall motor in silicon

A research team led by James R. Doty Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences, Ivan Soltesz, has successfully built a virtual model of sizable sections of the hippocampus, to better understand learning and memory.

‘Chemo brain’ caused by malfunction in three types of brain cells

Three types of cells in the brain’s white matter show interwoven problems during the cognitive dysfunction that follows treatment with the cancer drug methotrexate, Stanford neuroscientists have found.

Is zinc the link to how we think? Some evidence, and a word of warning

In a new study, led by Stanford neuroscientists John Huguenard, PhD, and Sally Kim, PhD, and then-graduate student Huong Ha, PhD, showed that zinc is required for the proper behavior of two related proteins, Shank 2 and Shank 3, that hang out at most synapses in the brain. Among their duties, Shank 2 and Shank 3 can reshuffle the subunits of a receptor that dots the receiving end of most nerve cells. This receptor gets tripped off by an incoming chemical signal called glutamate.

5 Questions: What parents should know about poliolike illness

Small clusters of cases of infectious paralysis are occurring in young children across North America. A Stanford pediatric neurologist, Dr. Keith Van Haren, is working to understand the disease.

When It Matters Most: Bicyclist Finds New "Roads" to Conquer After Traumatic Brain Injury

Brett’s cross-country bicycling trip from Santa Barbara to South Carolina ended abruptly, 1,000 miles short of its final destination. While crossing through Oklahoma, Brett fell, ending his dreams of completing a coast-to-coast charity ride, and nearly ending his life. Brett spent eight days in the ICU, where a team of trauma and brain injury specialists managed his inter-cranial pressure, blood pressure, temperature and seizures to minimize the cascade of secondary injuries that can occur after a traumatic brain injury.

Tony Wyss-Coray Honored by Time Magazine

Time Magazine released a list of 50 people transforming health care in 2018. Tony Wyss-Coray, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, was recognized for his work that found stitching together young and old mice to join their blood systems improved the older mice’s cognition.

With significant philanthropic investments, Stanford makes major leap forward in the neurosciences

Stanford will accelerate the pace of discovery about the human brain and advance innovative, interdisciplinary brain science thanks to nearly $250 million in recent gifts from philanthropists from the United States, Asia and Europe. In recognition of the lead gift from alumna Clara Wu Tsai and her husband, Joe Tsai, the Stanford Neurosciences Institute is changing its name to the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.

“Mitotic catastrophe” describes how aged muscle stem cells die, and provides clues to keeping them healthy

Neurologist Thomas Rando, MD, PhD, together with senior research scientist Ling Liu, PhD, and pathologist Gregory Charville, MD, PhD, have pinpointed mitotic catastrophe as a cause of death of old muscle stem cells. These cells are less able than their younger counterparts to repair muscle damage. They've also shown that this "death by dividing" is the result of a malfunction of the cross-talk that occurs between the stem cells, nestled along the lengths of muscle fibers, and their neighboring cellular support team known as the stem cell niche.

Michelle Monje receives 2018 NIH Director’s Pioneer Award

Michelle Monje, MD, PhD has been announced as a 2018 Awardee of the prestigious NIH Director’s Pioneer Award. The Pioneer Award supports individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose highly innovative and potentially transformative approaches to major challenges in the biomedical or behavioral sciences towards the goal of enhancing human health. Dr. Monje received the award based on her laboratory research which discovered that neuronal activity critically regulates the progression of glial malignancies, and now seeks to leverage a deeper understanding of neuron-glioma interactions to develop novel therapeutic strategies for these lethal brain cancers. Past recipients in our department include Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD (2015) and Thomas A. Rando, MD, PhD (2005). Our department is fortunate for its exceptional research milieu that has contributed to it being the only department of neurology in the US with three Director’s Pioneer awardees.

A chance encounter between a Packard Children’s NICU nurse and her former patient

Brandon Seminatore, MD, was born at Stanford 28 years ago at just 29-weeks gestation, and was cared for in the NICU for over a month. Now, Brandon is a 2nd year pediatric neurology resident at Packard Children's working side-by-side with the nurse who took care of him.

Scientists engineer way to prevent immune response to gene therapy in mice

A new study gives Stanford researchers hope that they may have solved a big problem plaguing gene therapy: the prospect of an autoimmune attack.

5 Questions: Robert Fisher on deep-brain stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy

The FDA has approved the use of an implanted device that releases periodic electrical discharges in the brain to counteract seizures in people with epilepsy. In an interview, neurologist Robert Fisher described the technology and Stanford’s role in testing the device.

Nicotine mimics may have therapeutic effect on inflammatory diseases

Stanford researchers discovered that a receptor that binds to nicotine and to clusters of beta-amyloid molecules is found on certain types of immune cells that can act as suppressors and regulators of the immune system.

Parkinson’s patients and researchers exchange stories through initiative created by Stanford PhD student

As a PhD student in Bioengineering doing clinical research on Parkinson’s disease, Johanna found herself at a cross section between patients, clinicians, and researchers. With gratitude for this rich experience, she used her resources and mentorship as a Creativity in Research Fellow (with the Stanford Design School) to create a website for story exchange to increase empathy between the research and patient populations. In partnership with NPR StoryCorps she collected audio interviews from Parkinson’s patients and translated fellow Parkinson's researcher’s stories into playful cartoons, upon being inspired by Peter Dunlap-Sohl’s graphic novel, “My Degeneration."

Teens shouldn’t use medical marijuana, but the plant’s active compounds have select uses, debaters agree

Neurology resident, JoJo Yang, discusses the use of certain cannabinoid-based drugs in select pediatric patients.

Medical students showcase research accomplishments

Guided by Reena Thomas, MD, PhD, clinical assistant professor of neurology and neurological sciences and of neurosurgery, second-year medical student Judith Pelpola investigated therapies to reduce the recurrence of glioblastoma.

Resident/Fellow Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Symposium

Stanford Neurology residents and fellows presented a total of 20 posters at the 2018 Stanford Resident/Fellow Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Symposium, more than any other department. The focus of these projects ranged from quality improvement education to oral chemotherapy safety to resident wellness initiatives. Two posters received awards as Top 10 abstracts in the symposium.

Mom’s fundraising helps advance research into deadly brain tumor

Bereaved mother Mycah Clemons raised money for a summer scholarship at Stanford for research on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. The move sparked a series of experiments that have led to a possible treatment for the tumor.

Doctors use robotic assistant to detect source of girl’s seizures

A robotic assistant helped doctors detect seizures deep in Gracin Hahne’s brain without having to open her skull or even shave her head.

Now Seizure Free, Gracin Gets Her Words Back

Gracin Hahne was just an infant when she experienced her first seizure, caused by benign tumors - called tubors - in her brain. By the time she was 3 years old, the seizures had gotten out of control, no longer responding to medication and significantly affecting her cognitive development. Her medical team at Stanford used an innovative procedure using a robot to remove the tubors and eliminate the cause of Gracin's seizures for good.

Stanford announces new Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) Research Center of Excellence

In December 2017 researchers from across the country joined in the first-ever comprehensive network of research centers to conduct LBD clinical trials, provide community outreach, and expand professional continuing medical education. Representing 24 of medicine’s most prestigious academic medical research centers, these Research Centers of Excellence will help to streamline and standardize LBD science while connecting patients and families with the latest opportunities to participate in LBD clinical trials.

Stanford researchers listen for silent seizures with "brain stethoscope" that turns brain waves into sound

By converting brain waves into sound, even non-specialists can detect “silent seizures” – epileptic seizures without the convulsions most of us expect.

Recovering from stroke

Researchers like Marion S. Buckwalter, MD, PhD and her colleague Maarten Lansberg, MD, PhD are working on how to prevent dementia in stroke survivors, nearly half of whom develop the condition in the first decade after a stroke. Others are working on new ways to deliver drugs right where they're needed in the brain, developing ways to stimulate the brain's recovery with magnetic fields, and building robotic devices tailored to help individual stroke patients walk more easily. With those and other developments on the horizon, the future for stroke survivors could be bright.

Clearing clumps of protein in aging neural stem cells boosts their activity

Young, resting neural stem cells have large protein clumps often associated with neurodegeneration. As stem cells age, the aggregates inhibit their ability to make new neurons, Stanford researchers say.

Technology Developed at Stanford Allows for Treatment up to 24 Hours After Stroke

A team of researchers and physicians at Stanford has developed a new software that recently led to the change in stroke guidelines. Certain patients can now be treated up to 24 hours after suffering a stroke.

Clinical trial finds blood-plasma infusions for Alzheimer’s safe, promising

In a small safety trial based on preclinical work by a Stanford researcher, participants receiving blood plasma infusions from young donors showed some evidence of improvement.

Stanford-led clinical trial shows broader benefits of acute-stroke therapy

In a multicenter study led by Stanford researchers, the number of stroke patients who died or required confinement to nursing homes was nearly cut in half, the biggest improvement seen in any stroke-related trial to date.