William Alexander
Author's posts
Jan 08
Profiles in Brain Sciences: Andrew West, PhD
Even as our understanding of how factors like genetics, metabolomics, and the environment contribute to Parkinson’s disease has rapidly advanced over the past 20 years, there are still no disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson’s or almost any other neurodegenerative disease. The Duke Center for Neurodegeneration and Neurotherapeutics’ Andrew West, PhD, is working to change that. For …
Dec 23
New study sheds light into origins of neurodegenerative disease
New research has shed light on the origins of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) and demonstrates effective new therapeutic pathways for SCA7 and the more than 40 other types of spinocerebellar ataxia. The study, which appears online Monday on the website of the journal Neuron, implicates metabolic dysregulation leading to altered calcium homeostasis in neurons …
Dec 22
Young to discuss sorting out Alzheimer’s disease on January 13
The University of Washington’s Jessica Young, PhD, will deliver the first DCNN Seminar of 2020 on Monday January 13, from 1-2 p.m. in room 103 of the Bryan Research Building. A lunch and preseminar reception will begin at 12:30 p.m. Young will deliver the lecture “Sorting it out: Stem cell modeling to understand genetic risk …
Nov 21
Finding hope in darkness: Duke neurologist develops and tests new therapy to help understand and prevent neurodegenerative diseases
Alexandra Angelova was 16 when she began experiencing blurry vision and occasional dizzy spells. Instead of going away, her symptoms gradually grew worse. Now nearly a decade later, with her vision at one percent of its original strength and with balance problems that prevent standing or walking unassisted, these symptoms inform every aspect of her …
Oct 30
Parkinson’s Disease: The Stars in Our Brains
By Angela Spivey / Photos by Alex Boerner More than 10 million people worldwide—about 1 percent of people over age 60—live with Parkinson’s disease. There are treatments that can help control symptoms, but there is no cure. The hallmark of the disease is the death of certain brain cells—neurons that produce dopamine. Most Parkinson’s researchers …
Sep 05
Duke Neurology Research Round Up, August 2019
What do new candidates for effective, non-addictive treatments for pain relief, a review of the past 20 years of how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation affects cognition, and an examination of how stroke-like conditions respond to treatments for stroke have in common? They’re all the subjects of research published by members of the Duke Department of …
Aug 01
La Spada plots progress leading to vision-saving treatment
By Kathryn DeMott, National Eye Institute A therapy designed to prevent blindness in people with the inherited neurodegenerative disorder spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA-7) is nearing the launch pad for testing in clinical trials, said Dr. Albert La Spada, director of the Duke University center for Neurodegeneration & Neurotherapeutics. La Spada, who is spearheading the …
Mar 04
Duke Neurology Research Round Up, February 2019
New research from the Duke Department of Neurology is advancing treatment of neurological conditions, uncovering secrets about how our brain and nervous system function, and refining training for the world’s next generation of neurologists. Highlights from February 2019 include a study identifying gender differences in sleep apnea, a new approach to identifying seizures in neuro-intensive …
Feb 13
Duke Neurology Research Round Up, January 2019
January’s research from the Duke Department of Neurology ranged from the global–an analysis of neuro-oncology training and research in Africa’s most populous country–to the subcellular level, with an examination of the function of sodium ion channels at the subcellular level. Other highlights include uncovering the mitochondrial origins of a rare form of blindness, the biggest …
Feb 05
Research in Progress Meeting – February 12
Join us for the Neurology Department’s next “Research in Progress” meeting, where Somasish Dastidar, PhD, and Brad Kolls, MD, PhD (Neurology) will discuss their incoming research. The event will be held Tuesday, February 12, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Massey Conference Room of Duke South. Join us for the Neurology Department’s next “Research in Progress” …
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