Digital Commons Network^™

An Example Of A Multidisciplinary Approach To The Expansion Of Consciousness, April Vihilidal

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Using a multidisciplinary research approach, researchers can explore the role of the brain, mind, and consciousness to experience altered states of consciousness through deep and undisturbed concentration efforts. They can approach the decision-making process during a research event by using a quantitative theory of consciousness as manifested in information processing. An integrated framework combining data from various disciplines can help develop a broader theory of consciousness that is impossible from any single field alone.

Multidisciplinary Clinical Care At Unm For Ultra-Rare Muscular Dystrophy Mimicking Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Type 1, Bret J. Gardner, Cynthia Olivas, Meeta Cardon

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Muscular dystrophies are rare, degenerative disorders resulting in physical disability of varying severity. Differentiating types is often challenging given similar clinical presentations. This difficulty is apparent in the case of diagnosing one ultra-rare type: Muscular Dystrophy, Hearing Loss, and Ovarian Insufficiency (MDHLO). At UNM, we diagnose and care for our patients with muscular dystrophy through a multidisciplinary clinic at Carrie Tingley Hospital Outpatient Center, partially funded by a grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Impact Of Moderate Prenatal Ethanol Exposure On Hilar Interneuron Subpopulations In The Dorsal Dentate Gyrus Of Adult Long-Evans Rat Offspring, Suzy Davies, Chloe H. Puglisi, Jennifer L. Wagner, Jessie R. Maxwell, Daniel D. Savage

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) impairs the migration of interneurons during brain development. As interneurons are involved in dentate gyrus synaptic plasticity and learning, we measured three different subtypes of interneurons in dentate gyrus and found a significant decrease in the density of parvalbumin-positive (PV+) neurons in both sexes of PAE rats. These results suggest that PV+ interneurons are particularly sensitive to moderate PAE and could contribute to differential physiological and behavioral responses in PAE rats.

FUNDING:

Supported by P50 AA022534 and P20 GM109089.

Selectively Targeting S1pr1 Restores Bbb Integrity And Attenuates Svd-Related Neuropathological Progression In A Rat Model Of Chronic Hypoxic Hypoperfusion, Jeffrey Thompson, Yirong Yang, Kelsey Duval, Karen Santacruz, Michael Griego, Haojie Chen, Haoran Deng, Carlos Perez, Sean Maez, Sasha Hobson, Theodore Li, Halima Akter, Michel Torbey, Yi Yang

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (SVD) contributes to 50% of human dementias world-wide. Human studies indicate a causative role of microvascular endothelial dysfunction, including blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in SVD. A potential link between BBB dysfunction and tissue hypoxic hypoperfusion underlying the essentials of SVD has been postulated; however, the mechanism(s) remains an open question. This study proposes the reversal of BBB disruption through pharmacological intervention of S1PR1 signaling as a novel therapeutic target for SVD.

Funding: This study is supported by a NIH/NINDS grant (1RF1NS110724) and a UNM MOS RAC grant to Dr. Yi Yang.

Pediatric Postoperative Stroke Recognition, Thomas Ferrer, Juliet Velhagen R Valhagen, Tim Peterson, Codruta Soneru

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Introduction

The recognition and diagnosis of pediatric strokes (PS) or cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) is a well known challenge.¹ In postoperative environments, additional factors such as sedation, regional anesthesia, and postoperative limitations exacerbate the difficulty.² This overview of PS etiology and clinical characteristics includes postoperative guidelines and identifies current literature gaps.

Discussion

As in adults, PS can be ischemic: Arterial Ischemic Stroke (AIS) and Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis (CSVT); or hemorrhagic (HS): intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The presentation of these varies substantially both from each other and their adult counterparts. Younger children and infants may have unexpected presentations such as …

The Critical Role Of Cntn1 In Myelination Of White Matter Tracts During Brain Development, Haojie Chen, Luis E. Paez-Beltran, Tou Yia Vue

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Contactin-1 (CNTN1), a cell adhesion and cell surface molecule, has been shown to be important for brain development. CNTN1 is suggested to be required for neuronal development and formation of myelin that protects the neurons. When CNTN1 is absent during development, it is lethal for the animal. The objective of this experiment is to elucidate the role of CNTN1 during brain development and myelination.

Funding: This research was supported by R01NS121660, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center Support Grant NCI P30CA118100, and Taconic-Cyagen Custom Animal Model Awards.

The Effects Of Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure On Performance In Hippocampal-Dependent Spatial Memory And Anxiety Tasks By Adult Male And Female Rats, Gabriela Acosta, Jack Madden, Ariyana Lacour, Suzy Davies, Jeremy Hogeveen, Daniel D. Savage, Nathan Pentkowski, Benjamin Clark

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (mPAE; ~60-80 mg/dL) has been found to result in structural alterations to the hippocampus. Although many studies have shown that mPAE impairs performance on hippocampal-dependent tasks, few studies have compared behavior across male and female mPAE rats. Thus, the present study was aimed at comparing performance by male and female mPAE rats in tests of spatial memory and anxiety. Overall, mPAE didn't significantly affect spatial tasks but decreased anxiety-like behaviors.

This research was supported by R01 AA029700 and P50 AA022534.

Effects Of Third Trimester Alcohol Exposure (Ttae) On Oligodendrocyte Development In The Mouse Brain, Estrella Villicana, Luis E. Paez-Beltran, Bianca L. Myers, C Fernando Valenzuela, Tou Yia Vue

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Background: Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) occurs when an expecting mother consumes alcohol at any stages of pregnancy. PAE will lead to children to develop fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which are a group of conditions that can include a wide range of behavior problems, cognitive impairments and distinctive physical features. Oligodendrocyte Precursor cells (OPCs) are glial cells and they’re responsible for generating oligodendrocytes which myelinate neuronal axons to allow proper conduction of action potentials. Decrease myelination in the brain is a prominent feature of PAE both studies in humans and animal models. We hypothesize that third trimester pups exposed to …

Molecular Mechanism Regulating The Fate And Function Of The Drosophila Sleep-Wake Circuit, Ethan Cato Wilson, Mubarak Hussain Syed

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Post-bachelor research showing the evaluation of IGF2 mRNA-binding protein expression in adult Drosophila type II neural stem cells in the development of the sleep-wake circuit within the dorsal fan shape body. The genetic silencing of Imp on Chromosome III is sufficient to reduce the amount of sleep-wake neurons expression.

Funding: This research was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Sloan Foundation, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Gut Microbiome Underpinnings Of Anxiety And Depression In Long Covid-19, Haley E. Prather, Kimberly Barnhart, Stephanie Nitschke, Kayla Julio, Nicholas Shaff, Aleksandr Birg, Henry C. Lin, Sephira G. Ryman, Andrei A. Vakhtin

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Non-expert summary:

COVID-19 has been identified as having a negative effect on the psychological well-being of those affected. The purpose of this investigation is to elucidate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in long COVID-19, as well as explore whether gut-based processes underlie such psychiatric consequences of COVID-19. By investigating the connection between the gut and anxiety as well as depression in long COVID-19, we can better understand and treat this debilitating condition.

Funding: NIGMS Grant P20GM109089 and NINDS Grant R01NS129407

Neuron Specific Gene Family Members Nsg1 & Nsg2 Differentially Affect Long-Term Potentiation, Learning And Memory, Antonio D. Serrano Rodriguez, Amber Zimmerman, Sandy Wilson, David Linsebardt, Jonathan Brigman, Jason Weick

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Non-Expert Summary:

The neuron-specific gene family (NSG1-3) plays crucial roles in regulating the movement and processing of key proteins within neurons, particularly those involved in Alzheimer's disease and synaptic strength regulation. While NSG1 is known for its importance in proper synaptic function, NSG2's role is less understood. Surprisingly, deleting NSG2 selectively enhanced learning and memory, contrary to predictions. Electrophysiology experiments revealed NSG1 and NSG2 have opposite effects on synaptic plasticity, shedding light on their distinct molecular mechanisms.

Funding:

5R01NS116051-04

Longitudinal Trajectories Of Ptsd Severity And Associations With Risk And Protective Factors Among Recently Resettled Refugees In The United States, David Lardier, Meredith A. Blackwell, Jessica R. Goodkind

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Refugees are at risk of experiencing emotional distress due to exposure to traumatic events. Less is known about the etiological trajectories of these mental health symptoms. This study conducted secondary data analyses from a longitudinal RCT testing an intervention among 290 refugees from 148 households. The primary purpose of the current study was to identify distinct longitudinal subgroup trajectories based on participant PTSD severity among refugees as well as factors influencing latent class group membership.

Formative Stages Of Administering A Comprehensive Neurodevelopmental Battery At Unm For A Large Multi-Site National Study, Lidia Enriquez Marquez, Jillian Kotulski, Alexandria Wiesel, Lawrence Leeman, Ludmila Bakhireva

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) is a multi-site research study (25 sites) designed to prospectively examine brain and behavioral development beginning prenatally through mid-childhood. The study incorporates repeated Child Cognitive Systems, such as the Early Regulation in Context Assessment (ERICA) and the NIH Infant and Toddler Toolbox (NBT). The HBCD pilot phase focused on optimizing a pragmatic behavioral coding scheme to facilitate data acquisition in infants (3 months) and toddlers (≤36 months).

Ascl1 Regulates Astrocyte And Oligodendrocyte Cell Fate, Proliferation, And Migration In The Dorsal Cortex, Luis E. Paez-Beltran, Bianca L. Myers, Milindu Liyanapathirana, Haojie Chen, Estrella Villicana, Tou Yia Vue

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Crucial questions in developmental neuroscience are how a common progenitor gives rise to different cell types and how development changes over time. This study explores both questions by examining how ASCL1 regulates the cell fate, migration, and proliferation of glial progenitors and how they give rise to different progeny at different stages. Understanding the mechanisms of neurodevelopment not only increases our understanding of fundamental biology but allows us to comprehend pathologies that share similar mechanisms.

Examining Substance Use And Mental Health Patterns Among Hispanic Adolescents: A Latent Class Analysis And Its Associations With Risk And Protective Factors, Carolina Verdezoto, David Lardier, Pauline Garcia-Reed, Robert J. Reid

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Concurrent substance use and comorbid mental health issues tend to be correlated with numerous socioecological indicators (e.g., community violence exposure; low community connectedness) as well as both interpersonal (e.g., family relationships) and intrapersonal (e.g. perceived empowerment) experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine alcohol and concurrent drug use patterns among Hispanic adolescents in an underserved community as well as associations with community ecology (e.g. access to drugs and alcohol; community connectedness), family dynamics, and intrapersonal domains of self-efficacy and empowerment. Such research may help in supporting target treatment and prevention.

FUNDING: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration …

The Location Of Spreading Depolarizations Influence Tissue Outcomes In A Transient Mcao Model Of Stroke, Michael C. Bennett, C William Shuttleworth

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) have been strongly linked to advancing secondary injury in ischemic stroke but may also provide beneficial effects to brain tissue that is not metabolically depleted. In the current study, we sought to identify whether SDs initiated remotely can alter secondary injury expansion. Infarct size was significantly reduced in mice with transient MCAo when SDs were induced in brain regions located outside of the vulnerable stroke penumbra suggesting a neuroprotective effect of SD.

Funding: NS129351, NS106901, GM109089

Little Brain, Big Rewards: A Meta-Analysis Of The Cerebellum And Reward Processing In Youth, Teagan S. Mullins, Lynette Abrams-Silva, Jeremy Hogeveen

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

The cerebellum is a late-developing area of the brain that shows promise in regulation of reward related processes. Since reward plays a role in a number of disorders, finding out how reward works and how to alter this is critical. Since both the cerebellum and the reward are changing in adolescence, does this region show cerebellar activation with reward? A search of the literature shows that it does.

Department Of Family & Community Medicine Transdisciplinary Evaluation And Support Clinic (Teasc), Martin Gonzales, Toni Benton, John Phillips, Gail Thaler, Helene Silverblatt, May Goldenberg, Clark Hardgrave, Amber Seik, Pat Beery, Shelly Marek, Liz Donsbach, Rae Romero

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

This poster submission highlights the success and impact the Transdisplinary Evaluation and Support clinic (TEASC) has had in providing healthcare and behavioral requirements of adolescents and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Over the past three decades, the TEASC has successfully implemented a consultative model to address the complex needs of individuals with I/DD, catering to both teens and adults. This innovative team model offers statewide consultative services, extending support to individuals, their families, and their support teams. TEASC employs a variety of interdisciplinary clinical initiatives to provide clinical expertise throughout the state. The TEASC Evaluation involves in-person consultations …

Hsc Connects Newsletter - March 22, 2024, Unm Hsc Communications

HSC Connects Newsletters

Weekly newsletter of the UNM Health Sciences Center.

Circvopp1: A Potentially New Regulator Of Long-Term Immune Dysfunction In The Peripheral And Central Nervous System Arising From Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, Ariana N. Pritha, Andrea A. Pasmay, Michaela Dell'orco, Joshua J. Sanchez, Jacob E. Sanchez, Suzy Davies, Daniel D. Savage, Nikolaos Mellios, Erin D. Milligan, Shahani Noor

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Research indicates prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) increases the risk of heightened touch sensitivity after minor nerve injury due to inflammation. We explored how non-coding circular RNAs (circRNAs) may influence this. Using rat models, we found 18 circRNAs significantly altered by PAE. These circRNAs regulate genes related to immune responses, including the NF-κB pathway, crucial in inflammation. One circRNA, circVopp1, potentially affects NF-κB activity. Further study may identify circVopp1 as a biomarker for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and a target for treatment.

FUNDING: This work was supported by T34 GM145428, R01 AA025967, R21 AA023051, T32-AA014127, P50 AA022534 and R01AA029694

Photosensitivity In Dravet Syndrome: Quantifying Impact Of Sunlight On Myoclonic Seizure Frequency, Sarah E. Otterson, Danny Rogers, Aaron L. Cardon

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Can sunglasses and curtains stop seizures? We show that in a child with a certain type of epilepsy, limiting sunlight exposure reduced seizures by 95%!

Single Nucleus Transcriptomics Reveals Cell Type-Specific Heterogeneity On The Effects Of Gestational Ozone Exposure Within The Brain, Sumira Phatak, Kathryn Brayer, Russell Hunter, David Scieszka, Andrea Pasmay, Selita Lucas, Jamie Padilla, Matthew Campen, Shahani Noor

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Air pollution, particularly ozone, is a major global health concern that impacts respiratory health and has been linked to pregnancy-related complications. Our study exposed mice to ozone during early pregnancy, revealing significant changes within the cells of the brain. Combined ozone exposure and pregnancy affected pathways associated with neurodegenerative diseases, potentially influencing long-term maternal and offspring health. These findings highlight the importance of addressing air pollution's impact on both respiratory and neurological health during pregnancy.

Effects Of Dysbiosis And Gut-Derived Hydrogen Sulfide On Cognitive Performance, Kimberly Barnhart, Haley Prather, Stephanie Nitschke, Kayla Julio, Nicolas Shaff, Alexander Birg, Henry Lin, Sephira Ryman, Andrei Vakhtin

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

The goal of this project was to examine the effects of gut dysbiosis and gut-derived hydrogen sulfide on cognitive performance in humans. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is known to produce neurotoxic effects in relatively large amounts, yet it is produced by the body in tiny concentrations and has important roles. Here, we examined how moderate levels of H2S produced by gut bacteria may affect cognition.

FUNDING:

This project was supported by the NIGMS Grant P20GM109089 and NINDS Grant R01NS129407

Project Aware Third Year Successes: Improvements In Everyday Life, Social Connectedness, And Overall Mental Health, Haely Katt, Carolina Verdezoto, Abigail Thompson, Sondra Samaniego, Ariel Homer, Tyler Kincaid, Thomas Chavez, Cynthia Melugin, David Lardier

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) is a collaborative initiative led by New Mexico’s Public Education Department to enhance the mental health support system for school-aged youth. Specifically, AWARE focuses on raising mental health awareness, training adults to identify and respond to concerns, and connecting youth with needed services. Recent evaluation shows significant improvements in enhancing students’ ability to deal with everyday life, social connectedness, and overall mental health.

Long-Term Potentiation Disruption Underlying Cognitive Impairment In Electroconvulsive Therapy, Danielle Farrar, Karen Luo, Jude Chavez, Bibh Nguyen, Kevin Wilson, Sarah Ward, Christopher Abbott

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) yet many candidates for ECT treatment are reluctant due to the risk of cognitive side effects. It’s not currently known what underlies this cognitive impairment, but it has been proposed that long-term potentiation (LTP), which is a strengthening of neuronal connections underlying learning and memory, is disrupted during ECT treatment. We are measuring changes in LTP during ECT using electroencephalography (EEG).

Investigating Anticipation For Alcohol In Mice Elicited By Cues Predicting Its Availability, Seth David, Dominic Furlano, Monserrat Orozco, David N. Linsebardt

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Non-expert summary:

Excessive alcohol consumption leads to premature deaths and high societal costs, often exacerbated by relapses triggered by alcohol-associated cues. This study employed a mouse model of binge alcohol drinking to investigate if such cues elicit anticipatory behavior. We found that over time, all mice became responsive to cues irrespective of fluid provided. Surprisingly, control males spent more time near their sipper than other groups during cues, despite only ethanol mice exhibiting craving-associated drinking patterns.

Abstract:

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption contributes to approximately 140,000 deaths and $249 billion dollars in societal costs each year. This is due in …

The Littlest Thinkers, Updated! A Neonatal Cognitive Development Investigation Using Eeg, Kate L.C Cavanagh, Jessie Maxwell, Dawn Novak, Aaron L. Cardon

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

This novel study investigates cognitive processing by way of auditory event-related potentials in neonates who are undergoing a clinical EEG as part of their care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Auditory event-related potentials (AERPs) have been infrequently gathered in neonates and remain a limited studied age group in EEG literature. Within the small community of researchers who have gathered neonatal ERPs, most have been collected on healthy term neonates. This ongoing study continues to assess AERPs in neonates who are undergoing a clinical EEG and compare the response from those who have a normal EEG background, to the …

Measurement Invariance Of The Harm Reduction Self-Efficacy Scale (Hrses) Among College Students, Joey C. Mok, Frank J. Schwebel, Matthew R. Pearson, Addictions Research Team (Art)

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

The Harm Reduction Self-Efficacy Scale (HRSES) was developed to measure an individual's level of self-efficacy to limit their substance use consistent with their own substance use goals. To date, the HRSES has been validated in one relatively small sample. Using a large college student sample, we tested whether the HRSES is interpreted similarly in individuals depending on their self-identified sociodemographic groups. Our measurement invariance analyses supported the validity of the HRSES.

Glun2a-Nmdar Mediated Increased Neuronal Prostaglandin E2 Release And Microglial Activation Exacerbates Ischemic Brain Injury Under Hyperhomocysteinemic, Sarah Seelig, Prabu Paramasivam, Surojit Paul, Ranjana Poddar

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

Hyperhomocysteinemia, or elevated levels of blood homocysteine, is a metabolic condition caused by dietary deficiency of folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 and has been implicated in neurological disorders including ischemic stroke and dementia. We show that following ischemic stroke, hyperhomocysteinemia exacerbates brain damage by triggering a neuro-inflammatory response via a unique intracellular pathway involving GluN2A-NMDA receptors. As such, inhibiting this pathway could yield potential drug targets to mitigate brain damage in hyperhomocysteinemic stroke patients.

Alpha Peaks And Learning Troughs: Examining Neural Networks Of Attention In Children With And Without A Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (Theta), Donovan A. Roberts, Julia M. Stephen

Brain & Behavioral Health Research Day

We investigated the effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) on Alpha Spectral Power (ASP). Alpha power is highly correlated with the Default Mode Network, which plays a huge role in cognition, learning, and attention. We also monitored resting connectivity to better predict outcomes than task-based responses alone, since both are involved in atypical inhibitory function in children with FASD.