Welding, Parkinson's link suspected

School of Medicine research- ers have identified the first clue that welding might trigger early onset of Parkinson's disease.

A research team led by neurologist Brad A. Racette, M.D., found that 15 professional welders developed typical clinical and neurological signs of the disease an average of 15 years earlier than the general population. The study is featured in the January issue of the journal Neurology with an accompanying editorial.

"This research doesn't prove that welding causes Parkinson's disease," said Racette, assistant professor of neurology. "But it's suspicious that the majority of these patients had a much younger age of onset. Our theory is that we have identified a group of people who probably would have developed the disease eventually, but something in the welding environment caused them to develop symptoms earlier."

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Hands on learning Student Jeffery Silvernail makes a dynamic hand splint for fellow student Bethany Benande in a skills lab in the Program in Occupational Therapy. The splints are used to help patients with nerve injuries open their fingers.

Break-and-entry strategy found in bacteria that cause disease

By Gila Reckess

As bacteria become resistant to current antibiotics, scientists are searching for the root causes of infection in order to develop more effective treatments.

School of Medicine investigators have come one step closer to understanding how bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus operate: These pathogens introduce their toxins by punching holes in the host-cell membrane.

The cover of the Jan. 12 issue of the journal Cell features the research.

Scientists have made great strides in understanding how Gram-negative bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, infiltrate host cells and establish infection. However, a second class of bacteria called Gram-positive causes human diseases such as strep throat, necrotizing faciitis, toxic shock syndrome and rheumatic fever.

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Panic disorder study seeks volunteers to test drug treatment

School of Medicine researchers are seeking volunteers to participate in a treatment study for panic disorder.

Panic disorder involves sudden attacks of dread, fear, heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, trembling or other sensations. The panic attacks are chronic and recurring, and in between attacks, patients worry about future attacks.

"That anxiety can be as disabling or more disabling than the panic attacks themselves," said Keith E. Isenberg, M.D., principal investigator and associate professor of psychiatry. "Patients who are afraid to fly may have a panic attack when they are supposed to board a plane, but those who truly suffer from panic disorder continue to experience anxiety even without events to trigger attacks."

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Compassionate care focus of new course

By Diane Duke Williams

Kate Carlson, a student in the new Practice of Medicine course, gained valuable insight into her patient's life when she visited her home.

She learned that the woman lives with her mother, who donated a kidney to save her life. Her sister, who helps care for both of them, lives in the house, too. Carlson also discovered her patient's coping mechanism --her job as a teacher.

"You see them more as a person and how they're coping, not just as a patient in the hospital," Carlson said. "It gave me a better understanding of what it's like to be ill."

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