Digital Commons Network^™

Sub-Regional Motor–Somatosensory Connectivity And Lifespan Plasticity In Functional Networks, Adnan A. S. Alahmadi

Neurosciences

Objectives: To determine how cytoarchitectonically defined subdivisions of the primary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and supplementary motor area (SMA) reorganize their integration with large-scale brain networks during healthy aging. This study investigated the lifespan trajectories of functional connectivity within cytoarchitectonically defined subregions of the primary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and supplementary motor area (SMA).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of resting-state fMRI data from 150 healthy individuals (aged 23–80 years), stratified into young, middle-aged, and older groups. Data were sourced from the Southwest University Adult Lifespan Dataset (SALD) and analyzed between June 2024 and June 2025. Using the Jülich …

Relationships Between The Corpus Callosum Index And Current Blood Parameters And Temporal Changes In These Parameters In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis, Oruç Şahin, Muzaffer Güneş

Neurosciences

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate changes in blood parameters and examine the relationships among the corpus callosum index (CCI), plaque characteristics, and blood parameters in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In MS, the CCI is associated with brain atrophy and disease progression.

Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, demographic data from 103 MS patients (38 males), along with blood parameters obtained five years earlier and current values, were analyzed in relation to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The CCI calculated from MRI scans was assessed in relation to plaque distribution and number. Statistical analyses included paired sample t tests, Wilcoxon …

Clinical Characteristics Of Multiple Sclerosis And Association Of Ms Severity With Vitamin D Level In The Madinah Region Of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Majed M. Alluqmani

Neurosciences

Objective: To determine the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the western region of Saudi Arabia and correlate it with its predictors among a cohort of patients. The prevalence of MS is increasing in Saudi Arabia, and is attributed to various factors such as recent lifestyle changes, improved disease recognition, and parental consanguinity. Knowing the exact prevalence of the disease may enhance disease management.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals diagnosed with MS at clinics in the Madinah region.

Results: The study found that the prevalence of multiple sclerosis is lower in the Madinah region. Additionally, …

The Top 50 Cited Articles In Pediatric Neurology: A Bibliometric Analysis, Anas Alyazidi, Osama Muthaffar, Ahmed Bamaga, Hebah Qashqari, Abdulmalek Alhithlool, Ahmad Alanezi, Sameer Almehmadi, Mohamed Babiker, Fahad Bashiri

Neurosciences

Objectives: To identify and analyze the most influential articles within the field of pediatric neurology through a bibliometric lens. As pediatric neurology continues to expand across subspecialties, identifying landmark studies is critical for understanding clinical and research priorities. Bibliometric analysis enables the evaluation of citation trends to highlight impactful contributions that have shaped the field.

Method: A bibliometric analysis of the 50 most-cited pediatric neurology articles was conducted. Articles were assessed by citation metrics, study design, subspecialty, journal impact factor (JIF), and funding status. Correlation and regression analyses evaluated associations between variables.

Results: Citation counts ranged from 185 to 1,440 …

Prevalence Of Depression Among Patients With Epilepsy In Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mothana Y. Al Jabr, Aryam M. Alenizi, Faisal S. Aleisa, Mazen A. Alghamdi, Noura I. Alfehaid, Muteb M. Alqahtani, Abbas S. Almutair

Neurosciences

Objective: To assess the pooled prevalence of depression among epilepsy patients and find the associated demographics and psychosocial factors. Mood disorders are significant comorbidity between patients diagnosed with epilepsy, adversely influencing quality of life and complicating disease management. However, the incidence, prevalence, and associated risk factors of depression in patients diagnosed with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia are not well elucidated.

Methods: This review was employed used studies retrieved from medical databases and the Saudi Digital Library. Observational and cross-sectional studies assessing depression between patients diagnosed with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia were included. Data were analyzed using the Freeman–Tukey double arcsine …

Wearable Sensor Technology And Biomechanical Gait Analysis In Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Review With Implications For The Saudi Healthcare System, Abdullah H. Alzahrani

Neurosciences

Stroke remains a major cause of disability worldwide, with gait impairment affecting up to 80% of survivors and contributing to long-term dependence, fall risk, and reduced quality of life. In Saudi Arabia, stroke incidence is rising, with a significant burden on younger populations and disparities in access to post-stroke rehabilitation services. Conventional gait analysis tools rely on expensive, specialized laboratory equipment, which limits their availability in low-resource and rural settings. Recent advances in wearable sensor technologies, including inertial measurement units, pressure insoles, and electromyography systems, offer portable, scalable, and cost-efficient options for assessing gait in real-world environments. These systems can …

Fatigue And Depression In Epilepsy Patients May Not Be Solely Related To The Epilepsy Itself, Sounira Mehri, Josef Finsterer

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Efficacy And Safety Of Plasma Exchange And Immunoadsorption For Acute Optic Neuritis In Patients With Demyelinating Diseases: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mehenaz A Hanbazazh, Mohammed Ridha Algethami, Abdulwahhab Omar Anbarserry, Ruba Mohammed Alghanmi, Lama Nawaf Alanazi, Ahmed Ayed N Alanazi, Bashaier Gubran Alqahtani, Mohammed Abdullah Alamri

Neurosciences

Background: Optic neuritis (ON), a common manifestation of demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), often leads to significant visual impairment. Although high-dose corticosteroids are a first-line therapy, many patients experience incomplete recovery. Apheresis therapies, including plasma exchange (PLEX) and immunoadsorption (IA), are being increasingly used as rescue treatments, but their efficacy and safety are debated.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating PLEX and IA for acute ON in patients with demyelinating diseases. Four databases were searched up to January 2025. The included …

Investigating The Patent Foramen Ovale–Migraine Link In Southern Saudi Arabia, Al-Amir Bassiouny Mohamed, Maeed Alkathiri, Saad Mushabab Ali Alqahtani, Naif H. Ali, Saima Kashif, Saad A. Alshahrani, Mohammed S. Alqahtani, Mohamed Gaber Mahmoud Gabr, Eltohami Zydan Dafalla, Basharat Hameed Zargar, Wael Qenawi, Ali Mohammed A. Alshehri, Fatimah Asiri, Ahmed Borai

Neurosciences

Objective: Migraine is a highly disabling neurological condition, and increasing attention has focused on a possible connection with patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Methods: This single-center observational study enrolled 45 individuals from January to April 2024: 30 migraine patients with PFO (Group 1) and 15 migraine patients without PFO serving as controls (Group 2). All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography and completed standardized instruments including the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), Migraine Symptom Severity Scale (MSSS), Allodynia Symptom Checklist (ASC-12), Visual Aura Rating Scale (VARS), and Migraine Treatment Optimization Questionnaire (mTOQ-6).

Results: The participant's mean age was 37.3 ± …

Secukinumab Treatment Response In Moderate-To-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: A Monocentric Retrospective Study, Benny Effendi Wiryadi, Yuriawati Hendrawan, Rini Herlina, Albertus Agung Mahode

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Psoriasis affects approximately 2% of the global population and is associated with comorbidities such as depression, psoriatic arthritis, and cardiometabolic syndrome. Secukinumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-17A, is effective for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. This study assessed the real-world effectiveness of secukinumab over 52 weeks.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 53 patients aged ≥18 years who received secukinumab and were followed for 52 weeks. Patients received weekly loading doses followed by maintenance injections every four weeks. Effectiveness was evaluated using changes in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).

Results: At week 16, 86.8% of patients achieved PASI <5, 79.2% PASI <3, 69.8% PASI <2, and 64.2% PASI <1, indicating substantial improvement. PASI 75 was achieved by 77.4% of patients at week 8. PASI 90 was achieved by 71.7% of all patients and by 76.9% of patients with psoriatic arthritis at week 16. No patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events.

Conclusion: …

Syphilis And Hiv Co-Infection Risk Factors At Dr. Moewardi Hospital, 2018–2022: A Retrospective Study, Endra Yustin Ellistasari, Prasetyadi Mawardi, Pratiwi Prasetya Primisawitri, Stella Gracia Octarica

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Treponema pallidum, the agent causing syphilis, is transmitted through contact with infectious lesions, bodily fluids, blood transfusions, or perinatally. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can mask the clinical manifestations of syphilis, while syphilis may exacerbate HIV progression. This study aimed to analyze risk factors associated with HIV co-infection among patients with syphilis.

Methods: This retrospective, analytical, observational study reviewed medical records from the Dermatology and Venereology outpatient clinic at Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia, between January 2018 and December 2022. Demographic, behavioral, and clinical variables were extracted. Univariable analysis was performed using simple binary logistic regression to …

Quality Improvement Project: Improving Confidence And Clinical Judgment Through Simulation Remediation In Nursing Students, Erica Gillespie

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Simulation is a critical component of nursing education, providing students with a safe environment to develop clinical judgment and confidence before entering clinical practice. However, students may experience anxiety and difficulty meeting competency expectations during simulation. This quality improvement project evaluated whether structured simulation remediation improved confidence and clinical judgment among associate degree nursing students. The project was guided by the NLN Jeffries Simulation Framework, and Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model supported implementation. A quantitative, quasi-experimental pre-/post- intervention design was used. Nine nursing students voluntarily participated. During remediation, students reviewed recordings of their initial simulation experiences and completed guided reflection questions …

The Effect Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Diagnostic Testing Time Completion For African American End Stage Renal Disease (Esrd) Patients Being Evaluated For Kidney Transplantation, Kesha Levesque, Martina Mueller, Julie Anderson, Jennifer Gander, Gayenell Magwood Phd, Rn, Faha, Faan, Ahmed I. Kamal, Michael Jin Casey, Susan Newman Phd, Rn, Crrn, Faan

Publications

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic was directly associated with fewer additions to the kidney transplant waiting list and likely contributed to delays in transplant rates, particularly for African Americans. It remains unclear if the pandemic specifically had an impact on diagnostic testing time completion for African Americans being evaluated for kidney transplant waitlisting. AIMS: To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on kidney transplant diagnostic test completion time and assess racial disparities between African American and White patients. DESIGN: This retrospective study analyzed data on patients approved for kidney transplantation at a southeastern academic medical center between January 2018 and …

Lupus Vulgaris On The Left Arm Mimicking A Skin Tumor: A Case Report, Dwi Indria Anggraini, Nuriasani Yukendri, Indri Windarti

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Lupus vulgaris (LV) is a rare, paucibacillary form of post-primary cutaneous tuberculosis, accounting for 1.5% of all extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases globally. LV may arise via hematogenous spread, lymphatic route, or contiguous dissemination. The present case highlights the importance of considering LV in patients with chronic and atypical skin lesions, particularly in tuberculosis-endemic areas.

Case Illustration: A 17-year-old female presented with a 2-month history of a solitary, tender, erythematous nodule on the left arm. Initially suspected as a skin tumor, the lesion was surgically removed and tested for biopsy. One month postoperative, a new lesion developed precisely at the same …

Prognosis Of Early-Onset Alopecia Areata: An Evidence-Based Case Report, Sarah Qanita Edwar, Lili Legiawati, Stefani Reditya Anggraini, Ratu Siti Khadijah Sarah

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune, non-scarring hair loss disorder commonly affecting children and often characterized by a chronic or relapsing course. Early-onset AA has traditionally been associated with a poorer prognosis, although current evidence remains inconclusive. This evidence-based case report aims to evaluate the prognostic significance of early-onset AA by synthesizing available cohort data.

Methods: A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ProQuest, and Cochrane databases using a population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework. Keywords included “alopecia areata”, “child”, “pediatrics”, “early-onset”, “recurrence”, and “prognosis”.

Results: Five retrospective cohort studies (n = 760) were included. …

Components Of Skin Boosters: A Therapeutic Role In Dermatologic Conditions, Ita Anggraini, Yuwandita Tamara Putri Dermawan, Eka Komarasari, Prima Kartika Esti

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: The term “skin booster” is commonly referred to in dermatology. These products may comprise several components, including exosomes, secretomes, chitosan, polydeoxyribonucleotide, platelet-rich plasma, and hyaluronic acid. In today’s world, the use of such products is not confined to aesthetic purposes; they are also used to treat several other skin conditions. This review paper highlights the role of “skin booster" components for different skin disorders based on their in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies.

Discussion: “Skin boosters” are bioactive agents typically administered into the dermal layer. Understanding the mechanisms of each component is important because their applications extend beyond …

The Effect Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Diagnostic Testing Time Completion For African American End Stage Renal Disease (Esrd) Patients Being Evaluated For Kidney Transplantation, Kesha Levesque, Martina Mueller, Julie Anderson, Jennifer Gander, Gayenell Magwood Phd, Rn, Faha, Faan, Ahmed I. Kamal, Michael Jin Casey, Susan Newman Phd, Rn, Crrn, Faan

Publications

PURPOSE:

The COVID-19 pandemic was directly associated with fewer additions to the kidney transplant waiting list and likely contributed to delays in transplant rates, particularly for African Americans. It remains unclear if the pandemic specifically had an impact on diagnostic testing time completion for African Americans being evaluated for kidney transplant waitlisting.

AIMS:

To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on kidney transplant diagnostic test completion time and assess racial disparities between African American and White patients.

DESIGN:

This retrospective study analyzed data on patients approved for kidney transplantation at a southeastern academic medical center between January 2018 and …

Racial Differences In Hiv Testing And Hiv Infection Among Adults With Seborrheic Dermatitis In Atlanta, Georgia, Olivia Elizabeth Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Marshallese Female Caregivers’ Intention To Seek Pediatric Care For Their Children, Ages 2–5, With A Body Mass Index At Or Above The 95th Percentile, Living In Northwest Arkansas, Madicyn Huddleston Freeman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Topical Normal Saline, Alcohol, And Petrolatum For Marsi: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Michael Hartanto Angriawan, Shannaz Nadia Yusharyahya, Rahadi Rihatmadja

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI) is a common complication associated with acrylic-based adhesive removal. Topical agents such as 0.9% NaCl (normal saline), white petrolatum, and 70% alcohol are commonly used to assist adhesive removal; however, their effectiveness in reducing MARSI remains unclear.

Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled trial with a within-subject design included 56 healthy adults. Acrylic-based adhesives were applied to four sites on the upper arms. Adhesive removal was performed on days 3 and 6 using three interventions (normal saline, petrolatum, alcohol) and one control (no topical agent). Outcomes included MARSI incidence, clinical erythema score, erythema index, transepidermal …

A Cross-Sectional Study At A Tertiary Setting Assessing Socioeconomic Burden And Psychological Impact Of Dermatophytoses, Amrita Hongal, Varsha Manchegowda, Mohan Hebbur Naraharirao, Mahalaxmi Khatagave, Rakshitha Nandeesh

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Dermatophytosis is a highly prevalent superficial fungal infection in tropical regions, often chronic due to inadequate treatment. Its recurrent nature due to misuse of topical steroids and inappropriate treatment contributes significantly to both financial burden and deterioration in quality of life. This article aimed to assess the socioeconomic burden and psychological impact of dermatophytosis, accounting for its chronicity.

Methods: This study included 285 patients aged ≥12 years with previously treated dermatophytosis. Data on demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment patterns were collected. Quality of life was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. …

Oral Tofacitinib For Recalcitrant Lichen Planus Pigmentosus: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study, Rashmi Singh, Prachi Sharma, Rajnish Kumar, Mugdha Kulkarni, Tripti Upadhyay

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Cutaneous lichen planus (CLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease typically involving the flexor surfaces of the extremities. It is a CD8-positive T-cell-mediated disease of the skin in which an immune mechanism targets basal keratinocytes. Lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP), a variant of CLP, predominantly involves the extensor aspect and has recently been under the umbrella term of acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation. The primary objective of our study was to determine the effectiveness of oral tofacitinib in treating LPP, and the secondary objective was to assess its safety.

Methods: Medical records of patients attending the Dermatology Outpatient Department between …

Exploring Pediatric Leprosy In An Endemic Area: Case Series Of Eight Patients In Indonesia, Gitalisa Andayani Adriono, Tri Rahayu, Sri Linuwih Sw Menaldi, Nelfidayani Nelfidayani, Retno Sulistyo Wardani, Kahlil Gibran, Malika Sabrina Yunifananda, Kartika Qonita Putri, Yunia Irawati

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Leprosy remains a significant public health concern in endemic regions such as Indonesia. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their naive immunity and close familial contacts. This study aims to report cases of pediatric leprosy in Lembata, Indonesia, focusing on clinical characteristics and associated risk factors.

Case Illustration: A case series of eight pediatric patients (<15 >years) diagnosed with leprosy was conducted during a community-based screening program in Lembata, Indonesia, in 2022. Of 140 individuals examined, 8 were children. Most patients were male (6/8) with a mean age of 11.75 years. Multibacillary (MB) leprosy predominated (7/8), and a history …

Combination Therapy For Post-Acne Mandibular Keloid: Suprakeloidal Flap, Intralesional Triamcinolone, And Intense Pulsed Light, Miya Khalidah, Arief Budiyanto, Yohanes Widodo Wirohadidjojo, He Yeon Asva Nafaisa, Sonia Diovani, Dwinanda Almira Rizkiani, Dyah Ayu Mira Oktarina

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Keloid is a benign fibroproliferative skin disorder characterized by excessive collagen deposition resulting from abnormal wound healing that extends beyond the original wound margins. It is particularly challenging to treat, especially in areas with high mechanical tension and skin stiffness, such as the mandibular region, which is associated with increased risk of persistence and recurrence. Combination therapy has shown superior outcomes in reducing recurrence and improving keloids.

Case Illustration: A 41-year-old male with a post-acne keloid on his right mandible underwent surgical management using the suprakeloidal flap method followed by intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TAC, 10 mg/mL, 20 mg) and …

Folr1-Targeted Actinium-225-Based Alpha-Particle Therapy Eliminates Ovarian Cancer, Neetu Singh, Esther Need, Ayden Berndt, Matthew Goff, Lydia J. Wilson, Firas Mourtada, Feng Guo, Tara Mastren, Taslim Al-Hilal, Anil K. Sood, Amit Maity, Scott C. Miller, Satoshi Minoshima, Shreya Goel, Sixiang Shi

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Despite the advancement in therapies, ovarian cancer treatment is challenging because of poor prognosis and high relapse associated with acquired resistance. Emerging targeted alpha particles, particularly actinium-225 (225Ac), for treating refractory cancers have opened avenues for improved therapeutic options. Here, we describe a successful example of folate receptor 1 (FOLR1)–targeted 225Ac alpha-particle therapy for treatment of ovarian cancer. Longitudinal positron emission tomography imaging demonstrated high tumor-specific uptake of αFOLR1 (anti-FOLR1 antibody) in SKOV3 xenografts. FOLR1-targeted 225Ac demonstrated high therapeutic efficacy, achieving marked tumor regression, 80% survival, and 40% complete tumor elimination. The therapy resulted in tumor-specific double-stranded DNA damage, and …

Online Rights Defense Among Chinese Americans Against Racial Aggression In The U.S. During The Covid-19, Fangzhu Lu, Wenshan Jia

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose

This study investigates how Chinese American communities responded to heightened racial discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing social media platforms to safeguard their civil rights, articulate collective concerns, and mobilize resistance against racial aggression.

Methodology

Through qualitative case study analysis, the research examines the social media activities of six advocacy organizations, including three X accounts (WashTheHate, Chinese for Affirmative Action, Asian Americans Advancing Justice) and three Instagram accounts (Stop AAPI Hate, Stop Asian Hate, Advancing Justice: AAJC). The analysis focuses on the content strategies and communication mechanisms employed to counteract racial hostility.

Findings

The selected organizations used social …

Assessing Clinician Preference For Redirection Of Care In Neonatal Tracheostomies, Gabriella Destefano, Alla Kushnir, Perri Donenfeld

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

A spectrum of indications exists for the implementation of neonatal tracheostomies, ranging from short-term airway control to congenital airway anomalies. The decision to initiate long-term mechanical ventilation is multifaceted and can be influenced by factors such as physician preferences, caregivers’ attitudes, and comorbidities. It is important to have an ethical framework in place to guide the treatment of preterm neonates who may require long term mechanical ventilation. This study examines physician perspectives on the ethics of neonatal tracheostomy, focusing on the treatment of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. A mixed methods study, consisting of demographic information and 5 clinical vignettes centering …

Dimensional Welfare Beyond Pain: Extending The Precautionary Principle In Birch’S “The Edge Of Sentience”, Willa M. Lane, Nicola S. Clayton

Animal Sentience

Birch's (2024) The Edge of Sentience identifies sentience candidates primarily through the pain-focused LSE Criteria. Yet, as Birch himself notes in Proposal 17, sentience is not pain. We argue that statutory welfare protections must therefore reach beyond pain, and that the right tool for doing so is Birch et al.’s (2020) dimensionality framework, which characterises conscious experience across five domains. Used together, the LSE Criteria establish that welfare is at stake, while the dimensionality framework maps what is at stake beyond pain to provide a taxon-specific profile of where captivity impoverishes experience. We apply this approach to invertebrate welfare and …

Human Milk Small Extracellular Vesicles Elicit Changes In Inflammatory Response In Infant Human Intestinal Enteroids, Kacie D Waiters, Anthony S Peidl, Hailey A Mcandrew, Ashfia F Khan, Grace Adeniyi-Ipadeola, Hephzibah Nwanosike, Sana Sharif, M Funmi Babajide, Micah Castillo, Preethi H Gunaratne, Samaneh Karami, Hoa Nguyen-Phuc, Xinli Liu, Sasirekha Ramani, Tasneem Bawa-Khalfe

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human milk (HM) is the key nutritional source for infants and the most effective preventative approach against serious gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. Numerous studies in animal models indicate HM-derived small extracellular vesicles (HMEV) reduce severity of inflammation; however, data on human-specific models are limited. Isolated HMEV were characterized from early-HM (colostrum and transitional), mature-HM, and a combined, pasteurized donor bank-like HM sample (pool-); pool-HMEV retains a profile aligned with HMEV from both early- and mature-HM samples. Exposure to pool-HMEV initiates unique gene signatures associated with reduction of inflammation including NFkB-driven TNFα signaling in human …

Early-Stage Corticostriatal Hyperactivity Impairs Cognitive Flexibility Alongside Striatal Cholinergic Dysfunction In An Alzheimer's Disease Model, Yufei Huang, Xueyi Xie, Zhenbo Huang, Ruifeng Chen, Himanshu Gangal, Xuehua Wang, Karienn Souza, Julia Hunter, Xin Wu, Doodipala Samba Reddy, Jeannie Chin, Jun Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cognitive flexibility declines early in Alzheimer's disease, yet the underlying circuit mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report that young 5xFAD mice exhibit deficits in instrumental reversal learning prior to spatial memory impairment. This behavioral inflexibility is associated with abnormal neuronal reactivation in the medial prefrontal cortex and dorsomedial striatum. Electrophysiological recordings reveal that medial prefrontal cortex neurons are hyperexcitable and receive increased excitatory input. Furthermore, glutamatergic transmission from the medial prefrontal cortex to striatal direct-pathway medium spiny neurons is enhanced and coincides with strengthened inhibitory transmission onto striatal cholinergic interneurons, reduced spontaneous firing, and diminished striatal acetylcholine release. Critically, sustained …