Nervous System Diseases Commons^™

Multi-Modal Approach For Investigating Brain And Behavior Changes In An Animal Model Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Meghan E. Heffernan, Wei Huang, Kenneth M. Sicard, Bernt T. Bratane, Nanyin Zhang, Marc Fisher, Jean A. King, Elif M. Sikoglu

Psychiatry Publications and Presentations

Utilization of novel approaches in imaging modalities are needed for enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes of persons suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study explored the feasibility of using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in conjunction with behavioral measures to target dynamic changes in specific neural circuitries in an animal model of traumatic brain injury. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of two groups (traumatic brain injury / sham operation). TBI rats were subjected to the closed head injury (CHI) model. Any observable motor deficits and cognitive deficits associated with the injury were measured using Beam Walk and Morris ...

Treatment Of Multiple System Atrophy Using Intravenous Immunoglobulin, Peter Novak, Arlene Williams, Paula D. Ravin, Omar Zurkiya, Amir Abduljalil, Vera Novak

Open Access Articles

BACKGROUND: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of unknown etiology, manifesting as combination of parkinsonism, cerebellar syndrome and dysautonomia. Disease-modifying therapies are unavailable. Activation of microglia and production of toxic cytokines suggest a role of neuroinflammation in MSA pathogenesis. This pilot clinical trial evaluated safety and tolerability of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in MSA.

METHODS: This was a single-arm interventional, single-center, open-label pilot study. Interventions included monthly infusions of the IVIG preparation Privigen(R), dose 0.4 gram/kg, for 6 months. Primary outcome measures evaluated safety and secondary outcome measures evaluated preliminary efficacy of IVIG. Unified MSA ...

Widespread Aggregation Of Mutant Vapb Associated With Als Does Not Cause Motor Neuron Degeneration Or Modulate Mutant Sod1 Aggregation And Toxicity In Mice, Linghua Qiu, Tao Qiao, Melissa Beers, Weijia Tan, Hongyan Wang, Bin Yang, Zuoshang Xu

Open Access Articles

BACKGROUND: A proline-to-serine substitution at position-56 (P56S) of vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) causes a form of dominantly inherited motor neuron disease (MND), including typical and atypical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and a mild late-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). VAPB is an integral endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein and has been implicated in various cellular processes, including ER stress, the unfolded protein response (UPR) and Ca2+ homeostasis. However, it is unclear how the P56S mutation leads to neurodegeneration and muscle atrophy in patients. The formation of abnormal VAPB-positive inclusions by mutant VAPB suggests a possible toxic gain of function as ...

Characterizing Stomatin-Like Protein 2 And Its Role In Neuron Survival, Lisa A. Foris

University of Western Ontario - Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Stomatin-like Protein 2 (SLP-2) has been identified as a stress-inducible transcript and has been shown to interact with and stabilize mitochondrial proteins. Since mitochondria are critical for neuronal function, we hypothesized that SLP-2 regulates neuron survival in response to stressful stimuli. A conditional SLP-2 knockout mouse (deletion) and the SN56 cell line (upregulation) were employed to study the role of SLP-2 in mitochondrial dynamics and neuron survival. SLP-2 deficient primary cortical neurons displayed significantly decreased levels of various mitochondrial respiratory chain proteins, indicating SLP-2 contributes to maintenance of mitochondrial membrane integrity. SLP-2 was up-regulated in response to oxidative stress and ...

Internal Models Of Motor Control: Reach Adaptation And Task Autism, Laura Zuccaro

The Meducator

The internal models theory is one of many hypotheses that aim to explain the mechanism of motor control in humans. The theory proposes that the central nervous system (CNS) forms neural representations of the external world, which are used to predict and adjust movements.^1,2 Internal models have been well-studied, and this paper provides a general insight into the internal models theory before examining how subjects adapt during a reaching task.³ This reaching task, as explained via the internal models theory, will be compared between normal and disease states, specifically autism, a disorder of neural development. Through this ...

Effects Of Intranasally Administered Dnsp-11 On The Central Dopamine System Of Normal And Parkinsonian Fischer 344 Rats, James H. Sonne

Theses and Dissertations--Anatomy and Neurobiology

Due to the blood-brain barrier, delivery of many drugs to the brain has required intracranial surgery which is prone to complication. Here we show that Dopamine Neuron Stimulating Peptide 11 (DNSP-11), following non-invasive intranasal administration, protects dopaminergic neurons from a lesion model of Parkinson’s disease in the rat. A significant and dose-dependent increase in an index of dopamine turnover (the ratio of DOPAC to dopamine) was observed in the striatum of normal young adult Fischer 344 rats by whole-tissue neurochemistry compared to vehicle administered controls.

Among animals challenged with a moderate, unilateral 6-hydroxy-dopamine (6-OHDA) lesion of the substantia nigra ...

Compound 186 Is A Negative Allosteric Modulator Of Dopamine D2 Receptors: Implications For Improving Schizophrenia Therapy, Jayant Bhandari, Jordan Mah, Ritesh Daya, Rodney L. Johnson, Ram K. Mishra

The Meducator

Excessive dopamine transmission in the striatum via the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) has been implicated in inducing positive symptoms of schizophrenia (such as hallucinations and delusions). While it is known that antipsychotic drugs alleviate these symptoms by blocking the active site of D2R, other drugs such as allosteric modulators can also decrease dopamine’s ability to bind this receptor, by binding to an allosteric site on D2R. We evaluated the ability of a newly synthesized molecule, compound 186, to modulate the binding of tritiated norpropylapomorphine (NPA)—a high-affinity D2R agonist—in the bovine striatum. Through receptor binding assays, we found ...

Human Enteric Glial Cells Alleviate Damaged Adult Sensory Neurons In Rats, Dhara Shah, Cai Jiang, Kiran Reddy, Caixin Su, Shucui Jiang

The Meducator

Spinal cord injury affects millions across the globe. Little is known regarding the cellular mechanism of injury and, unfortunately, there are few viable treatment options. One potential option is the transplantation of peripheral nerves into the site of injury. The complicating factor is that the peripheral nervous system is not readily accessible, and thus the procedure introduces the risk of disrupting the function of other areas. However, this risk is minimized if the nerves are extracted from the enteric system, which is embedded in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This system bears similarities to the central nervous system, has ...

Cerebral Palsy: Overcoming Disability, David A. Banz

The Research and Scholarship Symposium

No abstract provided.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Pathoneurological Basis Of Disease, Alex D. Hamilton

Senior Honors Papers

Fibromyalgia (also known as fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS) is a condition which causes its victims to suffer a wide range of symptoms, most notably chronic musculoskeletal pain. Although the causes of fibromyalgia remain unknown, recent advances help elucidate the underlying pathophysiologies of this condition, and show that it is likely not a musculoskeletal condition, but rather a pathoneurological condition.

Intensive Goal-Directed Treatments In Enriched Environments Augments Patient Outcomes Post-Stroke, Blake A. Kandah, Michael A. Klonowski, Ryan M. Pelo, Nicole M. Williams, Raquel V. Santiago, Christopher K. Thompson, Kristan A. Leech, Carey L. Holleran, Abigail L. Leddy, T. George Hornby

GW Research Days 2013

Objective: Previous research indicates that patients post-stroke, average 400-800 steps within physical therapy sessions and demonstrate heart rate values of 24-35% of HR Max. This dosage and intensity is inadequate to promote neuroplastic changes and maximize recovery. The goal of this study was to quantify and examine the amount of high-intensity stepping practice that was delivered within an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation (AIR) setting for individuals with sub-acute stroke.

Methods: 14 patients with a diagnosis of sub-acute stroke were admitted to AIR. Standardized outcomes included the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the ...

Diagnosis, Evaluation And Treatments For Dementia, John W. Margraf Md

Neurology Update for the Non-Neurologist

No abstract provided.

Diagnosis, Assessment And Evaluation For Seizures, John W. Margraf Md

Neurology Update for the Non-Neurologist

No abstract provided.

Migraine Diagnosis And Treatment, Vitaliy Koss Md

Neurology Update for the Non-Neurologist

No abstract provided.

Treatment Options For Seizures: Practical Points In Epilepsy Management, Soraya E. Jiménez Md

Neurology Update for the Non-Neurologist

No abstract provided.

Diagnosis And Evaluation Of Peripheral Neuropathies, Jay D. Varrato Do

Neurology Update for the Non-Neurologist

No abstract provided.

Defining The Need For Specific Neurological Studies, John E. Castaldo Md

Neurology Update for the Non-Neurologist

No abstract provided.

Current Standards For Treatment Of Stroke: Management Of Acute Ischemic Stroke, John E. Castaldo Md

Neurology Update for the Non-Neurologist

No abstract provided.

Special Populations And Considerations In Migraine Therapy, Gary Clauser Md

Neurology Update for the Non-Neurologist

No abstract provided.

Diagnosis And Treatment Options For Multiple Sclerosis, Gary Clauser Md

Neurology Update for the Non-Neurologist

No abstract provided.