Neuroscience and Neurobiology Commons^™

Central Activation Of Orl-1 Receptors In Heart Failure Models, Jeffrey Angell

Theses & Dissertations

Heart failure is a prevalent and debilitating disease associated with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide and is the leading cause of death in the United States. While various therapeutic strategies have been developed and approved to manage heart failure, exploration of novel targets and mechanisms are essential for improving patient outcomes. This thesis investigates the therapeutic potential of the central activation of opioid receptor-like 1 (ORL-1) by nociceptin in a rodent heart failure model.

Furthermore, this study aims to elucidate the central mechanisms underlying nociceptin induced cardiovascular and renal effects in heart failure. This involves investigating neuronal pathways and …

The Importance Of Contrast Sensitivity, Color Vision, And Electrophysiological Testing In Clinical And Occupational Settings, Frances Silva

Theses & Dissertations

Visual acuity (VA) is universally accepted as the gold standard metric for ocular vision and function. Contrast sensitivity (CS), color vision, and electrophysiological testing for clinical and occupational settings are warranted despite being deemed ancillary and minimally utilized by clinicians. These assessments provide essential information to subjectively and objectively quantify and obtain optimal functional vision. They are useful for baseline data and monitoring hereditary and progressive ocular conditions and cognitive function. The studies in this dissertation highlight the value of contrast sensitivity, color vision, and cone specific electrophysiological testing, as well as the novel metrics obtained with potential practical clinical …

An Investigation Of The Levels Of Pro-Inflammation Cytokines In The Brain Of Autoimmune Lewis Rats, Han Yang

Theses & Dissertations

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, which can cause cartilage and bone damage, as well as disability. A reported symptom of RA includes tissue inflammation disease and cognitive dysfunction. This study aimed to compare the concentration of selected cytokines in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and cerebellum of Lewis rats. Age and sex-matched Lewis rats were separated into two groups: control and adjuvant-induced RA. Twenty-eight days after the adjuvant injection, groups were sacrificed and brains dissected using the stereotaxic atlas of Paximos and Watson as a guide. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-23, plus the anti-inflammatory …