Marlena Fejzo

Last updated

Marlena Schoenberg Fejzo (born February 20, 1968) is an American medical scientist and professor of research on hyperemesis gravidarum.

Contents

Education

She received her undergraduate degree from Brown University in Applied Math in 1989 and a Ph.D. in Genetics from Harvard University in 1995. From 2000-2020, while working on the side on Hyperemesis Gravidarum due to her own personal experience with the condition, [1] she worked on ovarian cancer in the department of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, in the laboratory of Dennis J. Slamon. Currently she is research faculty at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. [2]

Research

She has published peer-reviewed scientific articles on many diseases of women including ovarian cancer, breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, and discovered the first genes for uterine fibroids, nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, and hyperemesis gravidarum. [3] In 2018, Fejzo, in collaboration with personal genetics company 23andMe,Inc, published the first link between the placenta, appetite, and vomiting hormone GDF15 as well as other genes. [4] In 2022, she published the first mutation in GDF15 associated with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), solidifying the role of GDF15 as a predisposing factor for HG. [5] In December, 2023, in collaboration with Stephen O'Rahilly and a team of international researchers, Fejzo published a study that identified the mechanism involved in nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and HG. [6] The study identified ways to potentially prevent and treat both nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (common misnomer "morning sickness") and HG. [7] Fejzo is a Research Advisor and Board Member of the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation. [8]

Recognition

In 2023 Fejzo was named one of ten fiercest women in life sciences by Fierce Pharma [9] and in 2024 was selected as a TIME Women of the year and Time100 Health honoree, and a National NOW awardee. [10] [11] [12]

Personal life

Fejzo is the granddaughter of the Austrian composers Arnold Schoenberg and Eric Zeisl, and the sister of the attorney E. Randol Schoenberg. She is the great-granddaughter of the Austrian physician Rudolf Rafael Kolisch. Fejzo has three children. [13]

Related Research Articles

An antiemetic is a drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea. Antiemetics are typically used to treat motion sickness and the side effects of opioid analgesics, general anaesthetics, and chemotherapy directed against cancer. They may be used for severe cases of gastroenteritis, especially if the patient is dehydrated.

Morning sickness, also called nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), is a symptom of pregnancy that involves nausea or vomiting. Despite the name, nausea or vomiting can occur at any time during the day. Typically the symptoms occur between the 4th and 16th week of pregnancy. About 10% of women still have symptoms after the 20th week of pregnancy. A severe form of the condition is known as hyperemesis gravidarum and results in weight loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molar pregnancy</span> Abnormal form of pregnancy (human disorder)

A molar pregnancy, also known as a hydatidiform mole, is an abnormal form of pregnancy in which a non-viable fertilized egg implants in the uterus. It falls under the category of gestational trophoblastic diseases. During a molar pregnancy, the uterus contains a growing mass characterized by swollen chorionic villi, resembling clusters of grapes. The occurrence of a molar pregnancy can be attributed to the fertilized egg lacking an original maternal nucleus. As a result, the products of conception may or may not contain fetal tissue. These molar pregnancies are categorized into two types: partial moles and complete moles, where the term 'mole' simply denotes a clump of growing tissue or a ‘growth'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mallory–Weiss syndrome</span> Bleeding from a laceration in the mucosa at the junction of the stomach and esophagus

Mallory–Weiss syndrome or gastro-esophageal laceration syndrome refers to bleeding from a laceration in the mucosa at the junction of the stomach and esophagus. This is usually caused by severe vomiting because of alcoholism or bulimia, but can be caused by any condition which causes violent vomiting and retching such as food poisoning. The syndrome presents with hematemesis. The laceration is sometimes referred to as a Mallory–Weiss tear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ondansetron</span> Medication to prevent nausea and vomiting

Ondansetron, sold under the brand name Zofran among others, is a medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, migraines or surgery. It is also effective for treating gastroenteritis. It can be given orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously.

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a pregnancy complication that is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration. Feeling faint may also occur. It is considered more severe than morning sickness. Symptoms often get better after the 20th week of pregnancy but may last the entire pregnancy duration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Complications of pregnancy</span> Medical condition

Complications of pregnancy are health problems that are related to, or arise during pregnancy. Complications that occur primarily during childbirth are termed obstetric labor complications, and problems that occur primarily after childbirth are termed puerperal disorders. While some complications improve or are fully resolved after pregnancy, some may lead to lasting effects, morbidity, or in the most severe cases, maternal or fetal mortality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclizine</span> Medication for motion sickness or vertigo

Cyclizine, sold under a number of brand names, is a medication used to treat and prevent nausea, vomiting and dizziness due to motion sickness or vertigo. It may also be used for nausea after general anaesthesia or that which developed from opioid use. It is taken by mouth, in the rectum, or injected into a vein.

Pyridoxine/doxylamine, sold under the brand name Diclectin among others, is a combination of pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) and doxylamine succinate. It is generally used for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (morning sickness); even though its efficacy has not been proven and subsequent research has led to the removal of recommendations in medical journals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vomiting</span> Involuntary, forceful expulsion of stomach contents, typically via the mouth

Vomiting is the involuntary, forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GDF15</span> Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Growth/differentiation factor 15 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GDF15 gene. GDF15 was first identified as Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 or MIC-1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nausea</span> Medical symptom or condition

Nausea is a diffuse sensation of unease and discomfort, sometimes perceived as an urge to vomit. While not painful, it can be a debilitating symptom if prolonged and has been described as placing discomfort on the chest, abdomen, or back of the throat.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is recurrent nausea, vomiting, and cramping abdominal pain that can occur due to prolonged, high-dose cannabis use. These symptoms may be relieved temporarily by taking a hot shower or bath. Complications are related to persistent vomiting and dehydration which may lead to kidney failure and electrolyte problems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maternal physiological changes in pregnancy</span>

Maternal physiological changes in pregnancy are the adaptations that take place during pregnancy that enable the accommodation of the developing embryo and fetus. These are normal physiological adaptations that cause changes in behavior, the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, metabolism including increases in blood sugar levels, kidney function, posture, and breathing. During pregnancy numerous hormones and proteins are secreted that also have a broad range of effects.

The term cryptic pregnancy is used by medical professionals to describe a pregnancy that is not recognized by the woman who is pregnant until she is in labor or has given birth. The term is also used online for a special form of false pregnancy (pseudocyesis), or delusion of pregnancy, in which a woman who has no medical verification of pregnancy believes that she is pregnant.

The HER Foundation is the world’s largest grassroots network of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) survivors and experts, as well as the leading website for HG information. It was founded in 2002 by Kimber Wakefield MacGibbon, Ann Marie King, and Jeremy King. The Foundation’s main goals are (1) to minimize the suffering and complications related to HG through education, (2) to develop an effective HG treatment protocol, (3) to eliminate the need to terminate pregnancy due to ineffective HG treatment, and (4) to raise awareness of the debilitating effects of HG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in pregnancy</span> Effects of cannabis consumption during pregnancy

Cannabis consumption in pregnancy may or may not be associated with restrictions in growth of the fetus, miscarriage, and cognitive deficits. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that cannabis use be stopped before and during pregnancy. There has not been any official link between birth defects and marijuana use. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance among pregnant women.

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy are common, benign conditions that result from the changes to the body that occur during pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of pregnancy typically change as pregnancy progresses, although several symptoms may be present throughout. Depending on severity, common symptoms in pregnancy can develop into complications. Pregnancy symptoms may be categorized based on trimester as well as region of the body affected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pregnancy Sickness Support</span>

Pregnancy Sickness Support is a UK charity supporting women experiencing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and Hyperemesis gravidarum.

Jennifer R. Niebyl (1942) is a Canadian obstetrics and gynecology researcher and professor. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of drugs in pregnancy and lactation.

References

  1. ↑ Callahan, Alice (14 March 2023). "Her Doctor Said Her Illness Was All in Her Head. This Scientist Was Determined to Find the Truth". The New York Times .
  2. ↑ "Marlena Fejzo". Keck School of Medicine of USC. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  3. ↑ "Want to know more about hyperemesis (HG)?". HER Foundation. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  4. ↑ Fejzo, Marlena S.; et al. (2018). "Placenta and appetite genes GDF15 and IGFBP7 are associated with hyperemesis gravidarum". Nature Communications. 9 (1): 1178. Bibcode:2018NatCo...9.1178F. doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03258-0. PMC   5862842 . PMID   29563502.[ non-primary source needed ]
  5. ↑ Fejzo, Marlena S.; MacGibbon, Kimber W.; First, Olivia; Quan, Courtney; Mullin, Patrick M. (2022). "Whole-exome sequencing uncovers new variants in GDF15 associated with hyperemesis gravidarum". BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 129 (11): 1845–1852. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.17129. PMC   9546032 . PMID   35218128.[ non-primary source needed ]
  6. ↑ Fejzo, M.; et al. (2023). "GDF15 linked to maternal risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy". Nature. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06921-9 . PMC   10808057 . PMID   38092039. S2CID   266233306.[ non-primary source needed ]
  7. ↑ Ghorayshi, Azeen (13 December 2023). "Scientists Pinpoint Cause of Severe Morning Sickness". The New York Times.
  8. ↑ "Marlena S. Fejzo, Ph.D". HER Foundation. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  9. ↑ Park, Andrea (27 November 2023). "2023's Fiercest Women in Life Sciences". www.fiercepharma.com.
  10. ↑ Ducharme, Jamie (21 February 2024). "Her Doctor Dismissed Her Extreme Morning Sickness. So She Found the Gene Behind It". time.com.
  11. ↑ Ducharme, Jamie (2 May 2024). "Time100 Health".
  12. ↑ "Marlena Fejzo, Ph. D. – Victoria J. Mastrobuono Award" . Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  13. ↑ ritalrubin@gmail.com. "Weighing The Risks And Benefits Of A Drug Prescribed To Pregnant Women For Extreme Morning Sickness". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.