Kay Emerson was the first person in Wisconsin and one of the first in the United States to be successfully treated for phenylketonuria (PKU), a condition in which the body fails to break down the amino acid phenylalanine, causing a buildup.
Research
National Doctors Day is March 30, 2025
Learn more about National Doctor’s Day here. Learn more about the many Waisman Center physicians who provide care as clinicians, who are researchers, or both. Melisa Carrasco McCaul, MD, PhD Pelin Cengiz, MD Peter Ferrazzano, …
Child’s rare condition diagnosed after 14 years of searching
Imagine how it would feel to have a child born seemingly healthy, but then he struggles to grow, walk, learn or talk – and no one can figure out why.
New AI framework reveals cooperative work behind oligodendrocyte function
Our brain is big on team work makes the dream work. Not only brain cells, but even smaller units that make up a cell work in cooperation to make the brain work properly.
Hearing loss and cognition both play a role in speech recognition for young adults with Down syndrome
For young adults with Down syndrome, understanding speech is not only related to hearing abilities, but it may also be impacted by cognition.
Advising Research through the Lens of Lived Experience: How Individuals with Disabilities and their Families are Shaping Research
NOTE: Each individual interviewed for this story stated their preference between person-first or identity-first language. The language used reflects the preference of each person. Researchers interviewed use identity-first language in alignment with the preferences of …
Memory impairment after severe traumatic brain injury in adolescents related to size and connectivity changes in the hippocampus and beyond.
Memory impairment as a result of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has long been associated solely with the hippocampus, the brain’s learning and memory center. However, new research published in the journal Brain Imaging and Behavior, reveals that the hippocampus is not acting alone.
Taking out the trash: New study finds clearing specific cell “trash” is possible and may be target for future treatments of neurodegenerative diseases
Cells make a lot of trash. Probably more than you’d think. So, cells have a trash disposal system that efficiently cleans up and recycles any waste that is produced. But when there are issues with the disposal system and trash builds up in the cell, that can lead to disease. This has led researchers to consider the trash disposal system as a target for potential disease treatments and therapies.
Behind the scenes of research participation at the Waisman Center: Infant Learning Lab
The lab focuses on studying how infants and young children learn language, learn the meaning of words, find patterns in language and track the properties of speech.
Waisman Center IDDRC funds three pilot projects on novel Down syndrome research
Three Waisman Center investigators and affiliates were awarded an internal grant to support Down syndrome research in its early stages. The funds were made possible through the Ann Dewey Down Syndrome Catalyst Fund at the Waisman Center.