Shortage of cells

People who suffer from depression have fewer cells in a certain part of the brain, a new study finds. This loss occurs only when the disorder runs in the family, suggesting that inherited depression may differ from other types of depression.

"One of the things we hope may result from our findings is the recognition that there are important differences between patients with a familial history of depression and those without," said Joseph L. Price, Ph.D., who headed the research. "There might also be differences in appropriate drug therapies."

Price is a professor of anatomy and neurobiology at the School of Medicine.

Click to see entire article

Resident award established to honor James P. Keating

The James P. Keating, M.D., Outstanding Resident Award has been established to honor the director of the Pediatric Residency Program at the School of Medicine. Keating also is the W. McKim O. Marriott, M.D., St. Louis Children's Hospital Professor of Pediatrics.

This annual award, which will recognize residents who embody the finest attributes in patient care, teaching and community spirit, is funded by residents Keating has trained during his 26-year affiliation with the medical school. Recipients, who will receive a plaque and monetary gift, will be nominated by the outgoing chief residents and Alan L. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D., the Harriet B. Spoehrer Professor and head of the Department of Pediatrics. The first recipients of the Keating Outstanding Resident Award are Chester M. Ho, M.D., Kelly A. Heidenreich, M.D., and Julie E. Hoover, M.D.

Click to see entire article

Nobelist to deliver 2nd annual Kipnis lecture

The second annual David M. Kipnis lecture will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in Moore Auditorium, 4580 Scott Ave. Nobel Prize winner Eric F. Wieschaus, Ph.D., professor of molecular biology at Princeton University and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, will be the speaker.

Wieschaus will discuss "From Molecular Patterns to Morphogenesis: The Lessons From Drosophila."

He has played a central role in ushering in the modern era of developmental biology. In his pioneering work on the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, in collaboration with Christiane Nusslein-Volhard, Ph.D., Wieschaus used classical genetic screens to identify most of the zygotically-active genes required to assemble the young fly embryo. The genes identified during the course of these screens represent many of the most essential factors required for the early development of all multicellular organisms from flies to humans. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Nobel in Medicine and Physiology in 1995.

The annual Kipnis lecture was established by the Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology to honor David Kipnis, M.D., Distinguished University Professor of Medicine and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine from 1972 to 1992.

Click to see entire article

Laser tests begin for farsighted patients

The School of Medicine's Refractive Eye Institute is testing a new laser surgery technique to correct farsightedness. For the last few years, nearsighted people have been able to receive laser surgery to correct their vision. The new study will help determine whether farsighted people can get the same benefit.

Click to see entire article

Hepatitis B

The Employee Health Service wants to remind all School of Medicine employees who handle human blood and body fluids that they should be immunized against hepatitis B.

Click to see entire article