Dr. Greg Davis On Medicine

The University of Kentucky is a site for the groundbreaking AHEAD study, the first-ever clinical trial to test the effect of a promising drug known as lecanemab. Just a few weeks ago the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Leqembi (lecanemab-irmb) via the Accelerated Approval pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This represents an important advancement in the ongoing fight to effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease, and UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is on the forefront of the work. Dr. Greg speaks with Greg Jicha, director of clinical trials at UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.

Each year, a group of students and employees at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy and campus and community partners work together to show Lexington that science is all around us, not just in the research labs. Everything is Science is held at different locations throughout the city, with events happening Monday through Friday. The festival features presentations, demonstrations, and conversations in laid-back spaces, like local restaurants, pubs, and breweries. Speakers aim to bring an uncomplicated approach to topics that we may not initially consider science-related. Dr. Greg gets a preview from coordinating committee member Dr. Lou Hirsch.

The quick action of athletic trainers is credited with saving the life of Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin. This week on Dr. Greg Davis we take a deep dive into how athletic trainers are trained to respond to even the most unimaginable sports-related emergency situations. He goes one on one with Dr. Johanna Hoch, Program Director of the Professional Masters in Athletic Training at the University of Kentucky.

Researchers at the University of Kentucky are taking an innovative approach to help a high-risk population by using easily accessible technology: an app on a smartphone. Carolyn Lauckner, Ph.D., an assistant professor in behavioral sciences in the College of Medicine, is leading a study to better understand the link between HIV and alcohol use in young adult sexual minority men and transgender (SMMT) individuals aged 18-34, with the goal to reduce HIV risk behaviors. She recently talked about the study in depth with Dr. Greg.

Bereaved children struggling with unsupported grief may have difficulties in school, have trouble regulating emotions and relationships, and exhibit a higher incidence of depression and anxiety. Without experiences that can help normalize grief and process its accompanying feelings, these children may continue to struggle—sometimes for decades. Dr. Greg talks with Leila Salisbury, executive director of the new Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families about their mission and the programs currently on offer.

The Curiosity Fair at UK is an annual, community event that highlights the role of curiosity in education. Faculty, staff and students create “Curiosity Stations” or short demos that represent ideas from their classes, fields or research. There is always a wide variety of disciplines, and the event is an informal and fun way for participants to engage with new people and ideas. Dr. Greg talks with co-organizer Dr. Hannah Ruehl and past presenter Dr. Lou Hirsch about what to expect this year.

Findings from a new University of Kentucky College of Medicine study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry May 28 may lead to a new treatment against Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. The labs of Matthew Gentry, Ph.D., and Craig Vander Kooi, Ph.D., in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Anthony Sinai, Ph.D., in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, and Zhong-Yin Zhang, Ph.D., at the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, collaborated to develop a drug that targets the cyst form of the parasite. Dr. Greg talks with Gentry about the breakthrough research.

Thursday July 28th is World Hepatitis Day. This week Dr. Greg speaks with Dia Obonyo and Amanda Wilburn prevention coordinator, and director of the viral hepatitis program respectively, for the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Sahar Alameh, Ph.D., is on a mission. She wants to prevent today’s middle and high school students from facing a common regret in adulthood — wishing they had paid more attention in school. She is using research around the current pandemic as a teaching tool. She talks about her methods on this week's edition of Dr. Greg Davis on medicine.

Sahar Alameh, Ph.D., is on a mission. She wants to prevent today’s middle and high school students from facing a common regret in adulthood — wishing they had paid more attention in school. She is using research around the current pandemic as a teaching tool. She talks about her methods on this week's edition of Dr. Greg Davis on medicine.