Spring 2013
Connecting the dots
With donors’ support, University researcher pursues the causes of neurodegeneration behind Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
Don’t be mistaken: Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are distinct neurodegenerative diseases. Both involve the death of neurons, but the primary cells affected are different. But as scientists are learning more about Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, they’re discovering that the diseases’ pathological pathways in the brain have much more in common than was previously believed.
A more hopeful future
Company’s gift supports integration of psychotherapy treatments for adolescents and young adults facing mental illness
It seems that psychotherapy research has taken a backseat to pharmaceutical research in recent years. After all, it’s comparatively easy to quantify the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals: count the milligrams, measure the drug in the blood, and then correlate the data to an outcome. But some, including Stephen Setterberg, M.D., are concerned by this trend.
With better diagnosis and treatment methods in mind, U takes part in study to identify biomarkers for Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease, a movement disorder that affects the central nervous system, is diagnosed in more than 50,000 Americans every year. Yet there is no test for diagnosing it or for predicting its progression.
Epilepsy care options expand through integration of physician groups
The epilepsy programs of MINCEP© and University of Minnesota Physicians have integrated, expanding epilepsy care options for patients throughout Minnesota.
New gene-sequencing technology gives patients answers faster and at a much lower cost
When Apple, Inc., cofounder Steve Jobs paid $100,000 to have his DNA sequenced in a bid to outrun the pancreatic cancer that ultimately claimed his life, he was just one of 20 people in the entire world to have had it done. But for the general public, the benefits of DNA sequencing, which has been both time-consuming and costly, have remained largely unattainable. Until now.
Does psychosocial distress elevate your risk of stroke?
Older Americans dealing with high levels of psychosocial distress are at higher risk for stroke, according to a University of Minnesota study.
U foundations merge to better serve donors
The boards of the University of Minnesota Foundation and the Minnesota Medical Foundation voted on Jan. 23 to merge into a single entity. The merger is designed to better serve University donors by providing one voice for private giving at the U and ensuring greater operational excellence in gift administration.
