USC professors recieve NIH funding for clinical trial of Alzheimer’s drug

By Kukla Vera

USC Professors Roberta Diaz Brinton, PhD, of the USC School of Pharmacy and Lon Schneider, MD, MS, of the Keck School of Medicine of USC are principal investigators of a newly funded study from the National Institutes of Health, aimed at testing promising drugs for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

The USC project, “Allopregnanolone Regenerative Therapeutic for MCI/Alzheimer’s: Dose Finding Phase 1,” is the first clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of using allopregnanolone (Allo), a natural brain steroid, in treating mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, as part of an intensified national effort to find effective interventions for the degenerative brain disease. … Read More »

October 2nd, 2013|Announcements|

Excellent results from Keck Medicine laboratories

Laboratory members often go far beyond promoting discovery. They promote a stronger Keck Medicine community by raising funds and sharing award-winning images. … Read More »

September 27th, 2013|Announcements|

USC teams with CIRM to celebrate Stem Cell Awareness Day

By Cristy Lytal

For the millions of people around the world who suffer from incurable diseases and injuries, Stem Cell Awareness Day is a time for hope.

In honor of the occasion, USC Stem Cell is joining institutions and educators from around the world in hosting a series of public events to raise awareness and celebrate this promising field of medicine in partnership with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). … Read More »

September 27th, 2013|Announcements|

Willliam Gorenstein appointed new chief financial officer of Keck Medicine of USC

By Tania Chatila

William Gorenstein William Gorenstein

William M. Gorenstein, CPA, has been appointed chief financial officer for Keck Medicine of USC, leading financial operations for the entire medical enterprise, and playing a key role in managing the system’s financial accountabilities, sustainability and long-term fiscal goals.

“This is a new role for our Keck Medicine senior team and one that is crucial to our journey forward, especially as we expand our system’s reach through ongoing investments and strategic partnerships,” said Tom Jackiewicz, MPH, senior vice president and CEO for USC Health, to whom Gorenstein reports. … Read More »

September 27th, 2013|Announcements|

CHLA doctors make 7,500-mile house call to treat children with deformities

By Josh Grossberg

There were too many young patients, too far away. So instead of bringing them to the doctors who could help them, the doctors decided to make a house call.

That house call meant a team of plastic surgeons from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) traveled 7,500 miles to Jordan, where they operated on dozens of children with physical deformities too complicated to be treated by doctors at the King Hussein Medical Center in Amman. And the team paid for all of it out of their own pockets.

More than 80 complex cases were reviewed the first clinic day. In all, the team of surgeons operated on 44 kids in four days, including a 10-hour facial bipartition procedure. … Read More »

September 27th, 2013|Announcements|