Dr. Odom studies how specific proteins and environmental factors affect the growth of tumors, especially schwannomas, which are tumors that can impact hearing and brain function. His research on nucleoside transporters looks to improve cancer treatment effectiveness by minimizing immune suppression caused by molecules called adenosine. Additionally, he examines the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on cognitive function in older adults, revealing how physical health can influence mental abilities as we age. Dr. Odom combines advanced imaging techniques to assess changes in brain structure related to cognitive aging.
Key findings
Blocking TEAD1 can reverse tumor growth effects due to merlin loss in schwannomas, suggesting better treatment options for patients with neurofibromatosis type 2.
In a study of 636 older adults, those with higher cardiorespiratory fitness showed improved white matter health, leading to better cognitive skills like visual-spatial abilities.
A decrease in fiber density in brain pathways was linked to slower thinking skills in older adults, highlighting the impact of aging on cognition.
Targeting nucleoside transporters can reduce the immunosuppressive effects of adenosine in tumors, potentially improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Genetic mutations in nucleoside transporter genes can lead to anemia and affect how well patients tolerate cancer therapies.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Odom study cancer?
Yes, Dr. Odom focuses on various aspects of cancer treatment, particularly the roles of nucleoside transporters and adenosine signaling.
What conditions does Dr. Odom research?
He researches schwannomas, cognitive aging, and the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness on brain health.
Is Dr. Odom's work relevant to older adults?
Yes, his studies investigate how aging affects brain structure and cognitive function, emphasizing the importance of physical fitness.
What treatments has Dr. Odom researched?
He has researched treatments for tumor growth in schwannomas and strategies to reduce drug side effects in cancer therapy.
How does Dr. Odom's work help cancer patients?
His research aims to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments and reduce treatment-related complications.
Publications in plain English
White matter microstructure mediates the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive performance in older adults.
2025
Alzheimer's & dementia (New York, N. Y.)
Tinney EM, Warren AEL, O'Brien A, Odom H, Ai M +16 more
Plain English This study examined how cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) affects brain structure and cognitive abilities in older adults. Researchers found that among 636 adults aged 65 to 80, those with higher CRF had better white matter health, which is linked to improved cognitive skills like visual-spatial abilities and processing speed, although it did not impact episodic memory. This research emphasizes the importance of physical fitness in maintaining cognitive function as we age.
Who this helps: This helps older adults striving to maintain their mental abilities through physical fitness.
Variable Schwann cell merlin inactivation is targetable with TEAD1 inhibition in schwannomas.
2025
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
Laws MT, Bhatt D, Mandal D, Ramavenkat N, Asuzu DT +20 more
Plain English This study looked at schwannomas, which are tumors that often affect hearing and can cause problems in the brain. Researchers found that the loss of a protein called merlin in certain tumor cells led to variations in how these tumors grow and respond to treatments. By blocking a specific factor called TEAD1, they were able to reverse some of the effects of merlin loss and reduce tumor growth in lab models, suggesting that this approach could help treat schwannomas more effectively.
Who this helps: This helps patients with schwannomas, particularly those affected by neurofibromatosis type 2.
Understanding Cognitive Aging Through White Matter: A Fixel-Based Analysis.
2024
Human brain mapping
Tinney EM, Warren AEL, Ai M, Morris TP, O'Brien A +13 more
Plain English This study looked at how aging affects the structure of white matter in the brain and its connection to cognitive abilities in older adults. Researchers found that as people aged (from 65 to 80 years), there was a decrease in fiber density and size in important brain pathways, which was linked to slower thinking and attention skills. The new analysis method they used highlighted these changes more effectively than traditional methods, which failed to show any significant connections between brain structure and cognitive function.
Who this helps: This helps older adults and healthcare providers by improving understanding of how aging impacts brain health.
Solute Carrier Nucleoside Transporters in Hematopoiesis and Hematological Drug Toxicities: A Perspective.
2022
Cancers
Ali SS, Raj R, Kaur T, Weadick B, Nayak D +7 more
Plain English This study looked at how certain proteins called nucleoside transporters affect blood cell formation and the side effects of cancer treatments. Researchers found that problems with these transporters can lead to blood-related issues, such as anemia, especially since mutations in transporter genes have been linked to these conditions. Understanding these factors is important because it could improve how patients tolerate cancer therapies, making treatments more effective and safer.
Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Nucleoside transporters and immunosuppressive adenosine signaling in the tumor microenvironment: Potential therapeutic opportunities.
2022
Pharmacology & therapeutics
Kaur T, Weadick B, Mace TA, Desai K, Odom H +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how a molecule called adenosine affects immune cells in cancer. It found that specific proteins, called nucleoside transporters, play a key role in moving adenosine around in tumors, which can suppress immune responses against cancer. Targeting these transporters could help reduce the harmful effects of adenosine and improve cancer treatments, especially in tumors with high levels of these transporters.
Who this helps: This benefits cancer patients seeking more effective treatments.
Evaluation of biochemical functions and ventricular performance in regional ischemic-reperfused myocardium by afterload reduction: differential effects of calcium blocking and non-calcium blocking vasodilators.
1988
International journal of cardiology
Odom H, Peng CF, Murphy ML, Davis JL, Straub KD
Plain English Researchers studied how reducing the heart's workload (afterload) affected heart function and muscle damage after blood flow was restored to areas of the heart that had been temporarily blocked. They found that two treatments, nifedipine and ruthenium red, improved heart cell energy levels and function by lowering both the workload and calcium levels in the heart cells, while nitroprusside also helped by improving energy production and heart muscle thickness. In contrast, another treatment (verapamil) did not work well in this setting.
Who this helps: This benefits patients recovering from heart attacks by improving treatments that protect the heart muscle.
QRS voltage measurements in autopsied men free of cardiopulmonary disease: a basis for evaluating total QRS voltage as an index of left ventricular hypertrophy.
1986
The American journal of cardiology
Odom H, Davis JL, Dinh H, Baker BJ, Roberts WC +1 more
Plain English This study looked at the electrical activity of the heart using QRS voltage measurements in 30 men who had no heart or lung diseases at the time of their death. The researchers found that these healthy men had a mean QRS voltage of 127 mm, which is much lower than the values found in men with severe heart conditions, such as aortic stenosis (245 mm) and aortic regurgitation (274 mm). These findings help establish a baseline for what is considered normal QRS voltage, which is important for diagnosing heart conditions like left ventricular hypertrophy.
Who this helps: This helps doctors who assess heart health in their patients.