Advancing knowledge of human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Dan Campbell passed away recently. He was a prolific artist and contributed many pieces of his work to the Waisman Center’s Harvey A. Stevens Collection of Art by People with Disabilities. Dan and his family also participated in a number of research studies at the Waisman Center over the course of more than 30 years, …
A new mouse model, developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is the first to show that when more of a specific biological molecule moves between different parts of nerve cells in the mouse brain, it can lead to behaviors that resembles some aspects of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in humans.
May 18, 2016 Adityarup “Rup” Chakravorty, Waisman Communications Jelte Rijkaart is 10 years old, with a ready smile, dark brown hair and warm brown eyes. He enjoys hanging out with people, especially his brother Roan. He is passionate about clocks—he has a wall dedicated to cuckoo clocks—and enjoys all sorts of movies about clocks on …
It has been said that communication is the essence of human life. In fact, our ability to communicate an unlimited number of thoughts and ideas separates humans from all other creatures.
Much like electricity traveling down wires, nerve impulses in our brain travel along nerve fibers. And just as wires need insulation to function well, nerve fibers, too, rely on a kind of insulation called myelin, a fatty substance that protects them and increases the speed at which nerve impulses travel.
April 29, 2016 Niamh Rahman, Waisman Communications The Waisman Center opened its doors on Sunday, April 24, and welcomed friends, donors, faculty and students to the Friends of the Waisman Center’s 21st annual spring benefit concert. With more than 175 people in attendance, the evening was abuzz with music, mingling, delectable hors d’oeuvres and wine. The …
A University of Wisconsin—Madison neuroscientist has inserted a genetic switch into nerve cells so a patient can alter their activity by taking designer drugs that would not affect any other cell.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher who studies the most common genetic intellectual disability has used an experimental drug to reverse—in mice—damage from the mutation that causes the syndrome.
April 22, 2016 Niamh Rahman, Waisman Communications Sometimes a theater performance is better with headphones and fidgets. This may sound strange, but for individuals with certain disabilities, headphones and other add-ons, like fidgets, can make an event more enjoyable, instead of detracting from the experience. Using headphones can help tone down loud, potentially overwhelming noises, …
April 18, 2016 Waisman Communications The Waisman Center mourns the passing of Ethel Waisman Tarkow, age 98, on Sunday, April 17. Ethel was married to the late Harry Waisman, MD, PhD. She and her family have been great supporters of the Waisman Center. A lifetime member of the Friends of the Waisman Center, she and …
