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Antidiabetic Drug Jardiance (Empagliflozin) Effectively Attenuated The Weight Gain Induced By The Antipsychotic Drug Zyprexa (Olanzapine) In Female Wistar Rats, Ghulam Md Ashraf

Research Symposium

Atypical antipsychotic drugs are commonly associated with undesirable side effects including body weight gain (BWG) and metabolic deficits. Many pharmacological interventions have been tested to minimize or prevent these side effects. Preliminary evidence suggested that antidiabetic drugs may be effective in attenuating the BWG induced by antipsychotic drugs. In the first phase, we carried out a 28-day study to standardize the correlated effective dosage of the antidiabetic drug empagliflozin (EMPA) and the antipsychotic drug olanzapine (Ola). Rats were divided into control (vehicle), Ola-4 and Ola-8 (4 and 8 mg/kg/OD, IP, respectively), and EMPA-10 and EMPA-20 (10 and 20 mg/kg/OD, IG, …

Update On The Role Of Muc13 In Pancreatic Cancer: A Promising Early Detection Biomarker, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Sheema Khan, Meena Jaggi, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash C. Chauhan

Research Symposium

Background: With the rise in pancreatic cancer (PanCa) prevalence and mortality rate, by 2030 it will secure second position among leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Due to poor prognosis of PanCa only 11% of PanCa patients have a 5-year survival rate, resulting in an equal mortality rate and incidence rate. 85% of PanCa are Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The main clinical challenge with PanCa is poor treatment outcomes due the late diagnosis. Currently, there are traditional biomarkers panels available for diagnosis, however, these biomarkers do not have optimal sensitivity and specificity for PanCa. Considering this alarming unmet clinic need, our …

Relationship Among Cognitive Performance, Physical Activity (Pa), Demographic, And Individual Lifestyle Characteristics Among Aging Hispanic Population, Ulku Karabulut, Bryan Mixumi, Imtiaz Masfique Dowllah, Murat Karabulut

Research Symposium

Purpose: To investigate the association among different intensity and duration of physical activity (PA), cognitive domains (executive function, processing speed, and memory), and demographic and lifestyle characteristics of aging Hispanic population. PA has been identified as a promising non-pharmaceutical preventative intervention for Alzheimer disease and other dementias. This study aims to provide a better understanding of the effects of different intensities of PA on cognitive performances of aging Hispanic population.

Methods: For this study, 441 Hispanic (age ≥60) participants’ data from NHANES (20112014) were analyzed. The protocol was approved by the NCHS Research Ethics Review Board, and all data …

Exploring Neuroplasticity Changes In Neurotoxin-Induced Parkinson’S Disease: A Preliminary Analysis Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Tomas Gomez Jr., Daniel Salinas, Kelsey Potter-Baker, Nawaz Hack, Ramu Vadukapuram

Research Symposium

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that affects movement, cognition, gait, and significantly impacts one's quality of life. Studies have suggested that neurotoxin pre-exposure is related to PD pathology and progressive motor/non-motor deficits, though it remains unclear how neurotoxin exposure affects neuroplasticity. The present study aimed to examine neurotoxin–induced PD-associated neuroplasticity changes in relationship to mental acuity and PD motor functionalities.

Methods: 7 voluntary participants experiencing early-stage PD symptoms with self-reported neurotoxin pre-exposure were enrolled in the longitudinal, repeated-measures clinical study; 2 sex-matched, age-matched, and occupation-matched healthy subjects were recruited for controlled comparative analysis (n=9). UTRGV’s Institute …

Effect Of Alcohol Consumption On Cognitive Decline Among Mexican Adults, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Ihsan Salloum, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: Studies on the association between alcohol use and cognitive impairment have yielded controversial results suggesting a reduced risk of dementia in drinkers vs. nondrinkers. We aimed to examine the effect of alcohol use on cognitive trajectories among Mexican adults aged 50 and over.

Methods: Data are from 5,898 cognitively normal individuals (2,512 men and 3,386 women) from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) with a mean age of 59 years (50-90 years) at baseline (2001) and followed-up after 11 years (2012). The Cross-Cultural Cognitive Examination was the cognitive battery measuring verbal memory, visual memory, attention, and …

Risk Factors For Arterial Hypertension In High School Students From Miguel Aleman And Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Teresa Velázquez-Loredo, Netzahualcoyotl Mayek-Pérez

Research Symposium

Background: Although arterial hypertension (AHT) in adolescents is not an important cause of morbidity and mortality, it is a public health problem that is rapidly increasing in Mexico, due to changes in lifestyle and diet that generate overweight and obesity in the population and will later impact significantly in adulthood. The earlier AHT develops the risk of acute myocardial infarctions, cerebrovascular accidents; then disabilities should be increased. These conditions have repercussions at social and economic levels.

Methods: Observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study in students of the CBTIS 220 of Gustavo Díaz Ordaz (N = 423; women = 190, men = …

Dissecting The Influence Of Perceived Discrimination And Genetic Liability On Mental Health, Bassent Abdelbary, C. E. Guerra Amorim, P. Rodriguez, J. L. Montalvo-Ortiz

Research Symposium

Background: Underrepresented groups are disproportionally affected by discrimination, which can have long-lasting influences on the individual’s wellbeing and mental health. This study leverages the diversity of the All of Us cohort to investigate the interplay between genetic risk factors and perceived discrimination in the context of mental health disorders. This study aims to shed light into the underlying biological and environmental risk factors, and its interplay, of mental health disorders in underrepresented populations.

Methods: Data on perceived discrimination was retreived from the the All of Us (AoU) COVID-19 Participant Experience (COPE) questionnaire and matched with sociodemographic and phenotypic …

Descriptive Analysis Of State And Federal Malpractice Litigation In The United States Related To Neuroendovascular Procedures, Nazaneen Amjadi, Sohum Desai

Research Symposium

Introduction: Medical malpractice interests the medical community at large. While previous neurosurgical review articles have analyzed malpractice in the context of spinal surgery, few have reviewed malpractice data surrounding neurovascular procedures as a whole. Here we present a retrospective review of characteristics associated with malpractice litigation in cases involving neuroendovascular procedures in the United States.

Methods: Google Scholar Case Law, Casetext and Westlaw legal databases were searched for verdict and settlement reports pertaining to neurovascular procedures from 1984 to 2023. Data were collected regarding type of procedure, patient age and gender, defendant specialty, outcome, award, and alleged cause of malpractice. …

Revitalizing Alzheimer's Community Engagement In The Rgv Post-Pandemic: Insights From The First Two Alzheimer's Forums, Karla D. Lopez Lorenzo, Maxine Vieyra, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: The Rio Grande Valley (RGV), with a population predominantly composed of Hispanic/Latinos (93%), faces a higher risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) compared to other groups. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the lack of education and awareness surrounding AD and related dementias in our community. To address these challenges, we partnered with the Alzheimer's Association to organize the first two Community Forums after the pandemic. Our goal is to raise awareness, provide resources, and support those affected by AD and related conditions in the RGV.

Methods: Through a proactive partnership, our objective was to meet the growing demand for education, …

Effect Of Alcohol Consumption On Cognitive Decline Among Mexicans 50 Years And Older, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Ihsan Salloum, Gladys Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: Studies on the association between alcohol use and cognitive impairment have yielded controversial results suggesting a reduced risk of dementia in drinkers vs. nondrinkers. We aimed to examine the effect of alcohol use on cognitive trajectories among Mexican adults aged 50 and over.

Methods: Data are from 5,898 cognitively normal individuals (2,512 men and 3,386 women) from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) with a mean age of 59 years (50-90 years) at baseline (2001) and followed-up after 11 years (2012). The Cross-Cultural Cognitive Examination was the cognitive battery measuring verbal memory, visual memory, attention, and constructional praxis. …