Neurology & Neurological Sciences News
Biological age versus chronological age: What the science says
Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, professor of neurology and neurological sciences, joins other Stanford Medicine researchers in explaining what biological age tests can and can't tell you. The piece covers how scientists measure biological age — through epigenetic clocks, blood proteins, gene transcription, telomere length, and metabolites — and cautions against putting too much stock in commercial biological age tests, which lack FDA approval and can vary significantly depending on what they measure.
Anti-seizure drug fights aggressive childhood brain tumors, Stanford Medicine-led study shows
Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, the Milan Gambhir Professor in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology and professor of neurology, led research showing that levetiracetam, an existing anti-seizure medication, slows the growth of diffuse midline gliomas by disrupting the tumors' electrical connections to healthy neurons. Patients who received the drug survived longer on average, and researchers are now planning clinical trials to test it further.
Tony Wyss-Coray Is Measuring Biological Age One Organ at a Time
Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, D.H. Chen Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, is named a Time Longevity Leader for 2026 for his development of blood tests that reveal the biological ages of individual organs, including the brain. His research links organ-specific aging to disease and mortality risk.
Stanford Medicine researchers awarded $16 million for testing dementia treatment
Sharon Sha, MD, MS, chief of the Memory Disorders Division, leads a Stanford Medicine team awarded approximately $16 million by the National Institutes of Health to support a phase 2 clinical trial assessing donanemab, an Alzheimer's medication, for treating patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.
Science Friday Podcast: Why is brain cancer so hard to treat?
Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, professor of pediatric neuro-oncology, discusses the challenges of treating brain cancer and her two decades of research on how brain tumors form and interact with healthy brain cells, in this episode of Science Friday.
Emmanuel Mignot receives Lasker Award for discovering cause of narcolepsy
Through genetic and immunological studies, the Stanford Medicine sleep researcher Emmanuel Mignot, MD, PhD found that narcolepsy stems from a deficiency of orexin in the brain, opening the door to new sleep therapies.
Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Teaching Award for Outstanding and Innovative Contributions to Medical Education
Stanford Medicine congratulates Scheherazade Le, MD, Clinical Professor of Adult Neurology, on receiving the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Teaching Award for Outstanding and Innovative Contributions to Medical Education. The honor recognizes innovative teaching, mentoring, and research in medical education, supported by the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Dr. Le’s leadership embodies Stanford Medicine’s commitment to advancing education and patient care.
Learning Lab Podcast, Ep. 6: Shaping the Preclerkship Curriculum with Dr. Rebecca Miller-Kuhlmann
Rebecca Miller-Kuhlmann, MD, clinical associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences and assistant dean for pre-clerkship education, joins the Stanford Medicine EdTech team's Learning Lab podcast to discuss her strategies for teaching the pre-clerkship curriculum in a rapidly changing medical education landscape.
Breakdown of immune cells’ interaction is key driver in aging, study finds
Stanford Medicine researchers have identified a key driver of aging: a breakdown in how immune cells clean up after each other. As we age, tissue-resident macrophages lose their ability to clear out worn-out neutrophils, letting inflammation build across the body. Blocking a single receptor on these macrophages kept mice's organs, including the brain, heart and liver, looking and functioning younger, and slowed cognitive decline. The findings point to a possible drug target for extending healthy aging.
Biological age of our organs and cell types within them predict our disease risk, longevity
A new study led by Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, professor of neurology and neurological sciences and director of the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience, found that a blood test measuring the "biological age" of 11 organ systems can predict disease risk and mortality, with the brain emerging as the single strongest predictor of how long a person will live. Drawing on blood protein data from nearly 45,000 UK Biobank participants tracked for up to 17 years, the team found that people with an extremely aged brain had a 182% higher risk of dying within 15 years, while those with an extremely youthful brain had a 40% lower risk. An aged brain was also linked to roughly triple the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Wyss-Coray and his team hope the test could eventually help doctors identify at-risk patients and intervene before disease sets in.
Graduation keynote speaker Lily Sarafan urges students to translate science into meaning for patients
In her 2026 Stanford School of Medicine commencement address, Lily Sarafan, chair of the Stanford University Board of Trustees, recounts her own MS diagnosis and treatment with neurologist Jeff Dunn to argue that graduates' essential role is translating scientific information into meaning patients can understand and live with.
Neuroscience:Translate backs childhood epilepsy drug and a neurological monitoring system for hospital patients
The Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute has awarded its 2026 Neuroscience:Translate grants to two teams, including Juliet Knowles, MD, PhD and Christopher Lee-Messer, MD, PhD, pursuing new treatments for a rare form of epilepsy and another working on a neurological monitoring system for hospital patients.
How to concentrate in an ever-distracted world: Five things to know
Stanford Medicine experts explain why focus and concentration are harder than ever to maintain and what you can do about it. Sharon Sha, MD, MS, chief of the Memory Disorders Division, and colleagues from psychiatry and behavioral sciences offer five evidence-based strategies, from proactive distraction management to self-hypnosis, that can help sharpen attention at any age.
Could Parkinson's start in the gut?
PODCAST: Join Kathleen Poston, MD, MS to discuss early signs of Parkinson's outside the brain and how they might influence treatment and detection. We discuss why non-motor symptoms might hold the key to early diagnosis, how new biomarkers are redefining the disease, and whether Parkinson's might actually start in the gut.
Women get Alzheimer’s more often than men: Five things the science tells us
Two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer's disease are women. Stanford Medicine neurologists Victor Henderson and Michael Greicius explain what science tells us about why, from the outsized impact of the APOE4 gene variant in women to the unresolved role of estrogen and hormone replacement therapy, and what still needs further study.
What do we know about Alzheimer's disease and what brings us hope? Part 1 with Michael Greicius
In the first segment of a two-part episode, Michael Greicius, MD, MPH, professor of adult neurology, begins by discussing his research in understanding the genetic and molecular roots of Alzheimer’s disease, sharing insights into the convoluted landscape of emerging treatments and new pathologies.
What do we know about Alzheimer's disease and what brings us hope? — Part 2 with Sharon Sha
Following Part 1 of the Alzheimer’s episode, Sharon Sha, MD, MS, clinical professor of adult neurology, speaks to the practical questions patients and families have when receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and how she helps her patients navigate their health journeys.
A Pacemaker for the Brain: Treating Parkinson's by Responding to the Brain's Rhythms in Real Time
Neurologist Helen Bronte-Stewart has spent two decades studying what goes wrong in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease. In a Q&A, she explains how that work led to adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), an FDA-approved therapy that continuously monitors the brain's electrical activity and adjusts stimulation in real time, and what it means to finally see it reaching patients around the world after years of lab research.
A Better Alzheimer's Drug? A long trek nears its destination
Led by Frank Longo, Stanford Medicine is advancing an oral treatment for Alzheimer’s disease designed to slow brain decline by strengthening brain connections and reducing inflammation.
Rethinking Alzheimer's: How these tiny balls of fat factor in
A classic but ignored Alzheimer’s hallmark — myriad oily droplets in brain cells called microglia — may help connect several of the disorder’s better known but not well understood features. Previous stories have described two hallmarks of Alzheimer’s brains that are quite distinct from one another: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Here we unearth an under-reported third Alzheimer’s hallmark, which a veteran Stanford Medicine neuroscientist’s recent work connects meaningfully to the first two — as well as to the high-risk gene variant known as APOE4, outlined previously. Can adding yet another piece to the puzzle snap the rest of them into place?
Research by Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, Demonstrates that Aging Slows the Breakdown of Synaptic Proteins
Recent research unveils new links between the brain’s waste management systems and neurodegeneration. The findings may provide insights for early disease identification.
Read More on Stanford Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience
Rebecca Levy, MD, PhD, featured in Neurology Today Article on the Role of Genetic Counselors
Rebecca Levy, MD, PhD, was recently featured in a Neurology Today article on how the role of genetic counselors is growing in the field of neurology.
Niyatee Samudra, MD, Speaks on KQED Forum About Brain Fog
Niyatee Samudra, MD, was featured on KQED Forum. Dr. Samudra spoke on brain fog, menopause, and dementia.
Postdoc Service Award Ceremony, 2025
The annual Postdoc Service Award Ceremony for the 2025 cohort of Postdoc Champions was celebrated on October 8th in order to recognize and celebrate the service of postdocs in our Stanford community. The celebration began with a discussion of the postdoc belonging survey titled “Thriving Beyond the PhD: A Survey Assessment Exploring Success and Sense of Belonging Among Stanford Postdocs” with Chelsie Burchett, PhD followed by the Presentation of Awards and a light reception. We were very pleased that President Jon Levin joined us to kick off the Presentation of Awards by offering some welcome remarks. Award recipients for the Department of Neurology were Hulya Torun, Gil Vantomme and Marwa Zafarullah.
Stanford Postdoc Champions: Community Impact Awards 2025
Three postdoctoral scholars from the Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences have received the Stanford Postdoc Champions: Community Impact Award. The Stanford Postdoc Champions: Community Impact Awards serve to highlight the individual contributions of postdocs whose service fosters belonging and uplifts their communities. These awards provide a democratic way to acknowledge the work of postdoctoral scholars, and amplify the spirit of inclusion and service set by Stanford University. Congrats to Gill Vantomme, Hulya Torun, and Marwa Zafarullah!
Lung cancer cells in the brain form electrical connections with neurons that spur tumor growth
Small cell lung cancer cells that metastasize to the brain cozy up to neurons and form working electrical connections, called synapses, according to an upcoming study led by Stanford Medicine researchers (featuring Dr. Michelle Monje). The pulse of electrical signals to the cancer cells strongly promotes tumor growth, the researchers found.
Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Symposium 2025: The Gut–Brain Axis and Other Brain–Body Connections
Join leading researchers from Stanford and beyond to explore the dynamic interplay between the brain, gut, and body. Discover groundbreaking insights into how these interconnected systems shape health, behavior, and more through scientific talks and a fireside chat. We'll also celebrate our community through the presentation of the Sammy Kuo Awards and a poster session showcasing neuroscience research by Stanford affiliates.
American Parkinson Disease Association's George C. Cotzias Fellowship
Gaurav Chattree, MD was awarded the American Parkinson Disease Association's George C. Cotzias Fellowship. The George C. Cotzias Fellowship is named in honor of the scientist who had a critical role in developing Levodopa as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease and is awarded with the purpose of encouraging young neurologists to follow in his footsteps.
Stanford Big Ideas in Medicine
Please join us for the third annual Stanford Big Ideas in Medicine Conference Sept. 5th & 6th. Big Ideas is a thought provoking, multidisciplinary exploration of the latest "Big Ideas" in Neuroscience, Magic Medicines, Living to the Last, and Climate and Health. Two themes - Magic Medicine and Neuroscience focuse on novel therapeutics including speakers from Abbvie and Astra Zeneca (to be named). Excited to have Josef Parvizi (Stanford Neurology) will be speaking in our Neurscience panel. The conference is almost sold out! Please see our list of amazing speakers from Academia, Business, and Industry.
Experimental Drugs Reverse Autism Symptoms (Research by John Huguenard, PhD and Sung-Soo Jang, PhD)
Research by John Huguenard, PhD and Sung-Soo Jang, PhD has identified hyperactivity in the reticular thalamic nucleus as a driver of autism-like behaviors in mice. This brain region, which gates sensory information, was found to be overactive during stimuli and social interactions, leading to seizures, repetitive behaviors, and social withdrawal.
Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Clerkship Teaching
Jeffrey Dunn, MD was awarded the Stanford Medicine Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Clerkship Teaching.
Dr. Sarah Lee Receives Impact Award at the LPCH Annual Medical Staff Dinner
Dr. Sarah Lee, Child Neuro faculty, was awarded the Impact Award at the recent LPCH Annual Medical Staff Dinner. This honor recognizes a faculty or community physician who consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine and is looked upon as a role model and leader by his or her peers.
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 p75NTR 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 (p75NTR) in pathological protein clearance by engaging the autophagy/lysosomal systems. They show that the small molecule p75NTR 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.
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.
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 5th 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"
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.
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+.
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.
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.
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.