Neuroscience and Neurobiology Commons^™

Cerebrovascular Reactivity Mri As A Biomarker For Cerebral Small Vessel Disease–Related Cognitive Decline: Multi-Site Validation In The Markvcid Consortium, Peiying Liu, Zixuan Lin, Kaisha Hazel, George Pottanat, Cuimei Xu, Dengrong Jiang, Jay J. Pillai, Emma Lucke, Christopher E. Bauer, Brian T. Gold, Steven M. Greenburg, Karl G. Helmer, Kay Jann, Gregory Jicha, Joel Kramer, Pauline Maillard, Rachel M. Mulavelil, Pavel Rodriguez, Claudia L. Satizabal, Kristin Schwab, Sudha Seshadri, Herpreet Singh, Ángel G. Velarde Dediós, Danny J. J. Wang, Rita R. Kalyani, Abhay Moghekar, Paul B. Rosenberg, Sevil Yasar, Marilyn Albert, Hanzhang Lu

Neurology Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) represent a major factor in cognitive decline in older adults. The present study examined the relationship between cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive function in a multi-site study, using a predefined hypothesis.

METHODS: We conducted the study in a total of three analysis sites and 263 subjects. Each site performed an identical CVR MRI procedure using 5% carbon dioxide inhalation. A global cognitive measure of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and an executive function measure of item response theory (IRT) score were used as outcomes.

RESULTS: CVR …

High Fat Diet & Social Isolation: Interactive Effects On Pain, Cognition, & Neuroinflammation, Ian M. Campuzano

Research Psychology Theses

Prior research has established a role for both social isolation and exposure to high fat Western diets in altering a range of behaviors from reduced memory performance to increased depression-like behaviors. The present study scrutinizes the interplay among these variables during the peri-adolescent developmental phase, utilizing Long-Evans rats as the experimental model. Our overarching hypothesis is that rats exposed to either social isolation, a high-fat diet, or both will result in heightened pain sensitivity, diminished cognitive flexibility, and increased neuroinflammatory responses within brain regions implicated in sociability, cognition, memory, and pain processing. Behavioral flexibility will be assessed using a maze-based …

Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals Potential Regulatory Role Of Nsmase2 (Smpd3) In Nervous System Development And Function Of Middle-Aged Mouse Brains, Zhihui Zhu, Timothy S. Mcclintock, Erhard Bieberich

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (nSMase2), gene name sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase-3 (Smpd3), is a key regulatory enzyme responsible for generating the sphingolipid cer- amide. The function of nSMase2 in the brain is still controversial. To better under- stand the functional roles of nSMase2 in the aging mouse brain, we applied RNA-seq analysis, which identified a total of 1462 differentially abundant mRNAs between +/fro and fro/fro, of which 891 were increased and 571 were decreased in nSMase2-deficient mouse brains. The most strongly enriched GO and KEGG annota- tion terms among transcripts increased in fro/fro mice included synaptogenesis, syn- apse development, synaptic signaling, axon development, and …

Emotional Content In Working Memory Processes: An Fmri Study., Manal Zafar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Working memory (WM) is a dynamic system that processes and manipulates both goal-relevant and goal-irrelevant information, integral to higher-level cognition and executive control (Fujii, 2001; Nyberg & Erikkson, 2016). The processing and manipulation of representations is modulated by the affective nature of the information (Pessoa, 2009) such that negative information can either impair or enhance WM processing. WM impairments are seen commonly across clinical disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and schizophrenia (Levens & Gotlib, 2010; Joorman et a., 2011; Brodziak et al., 2015). Specifically, negative information is known to have differential processing in WM compared to neutral and positive …

Epidural Stimulation For Urogenital Dysfunction In The Spinal Cord Injured Rat., Natasha Lorraine Wilkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating, life changing event that greatly impacts quality of life. SCI can have body-wide, multi-system consequences including dysfunction within the urogenital system. Challenges with the urinary system include urinary incontinence, urine retention, and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia all of which require maintenance through the regular use of catheters. Sexual dysfunction in men, who comprise nearly 80% of the SCI population, includes erectile dysfunction, anejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, poor expulsive force during ejaculation, and poor sperm quality. The treatment for sexual function in SCI men is focused more on fertility through the collection of sperm for insemination procedures …

Establishing A Mouse Model Of Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment., Dana K. Oakes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cerebral/cortical visual impairment (CVI) is a disorder most often caused by perinatal hypoxic injury to the developing brain. CVI is the leading cause of childhood visual impairment in developed nations, encompassing deficits in many aspects of vision including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and object recognition. The pathophysiology of CVI is not well understood because no animal model currently exists to study this disorder. Because there is no animal model, the pathophysiology of CVI is poorly understood. Here, we developed a murine early postnatal hypoxic model of CVI by exposing mice to 9.5% O₂ at postnatal day (P)3 for a …

Early Onset Alzheimer’S Disease Markers In Mouse Hippocampus Unveiled By Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Following Cranial Radiotherapy, Tuba Aksoy

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Cranial radiation therapy plays an integral role in the treatment of brain tumors but can lead to progressive cognitive deficits in survivors by mechanisms that are poorly understood. To develop preventive or mitigative strategies, it is crucial to better understand the underlying pathogenesis of radiation-induced cognitive impairments. The study investigated single-cell transcriptomics and DNA methylation changes as potential drivers of persistent cellular dysfunction after radiation exposure, specifically concentrating on the CA1-3 regions of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex due to their role in cognitive functions. Thirteen-week-old mice underwent whole-brain radiation at clinically relevant doses. Following whole-brain radiation, an assessment …

The Role Of The Circadian Clock In Disease And Tissue Function, Marvin Wirianto

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The mammalian circadian clock responds to the 24-hour daily cycle and regulates tissue-specific gene expression and downstream physiology. The central pacemaker located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) synchronizes the peripheral clocks in different tissues. This dissertation aims to uncover specific circadian regulatory mechanisms in the brain and skeletal muscle.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia. It has previously been shown that there is a strong correlation of disease progression with circadian rhythm decline. We showed that circadian modulation by a small molecule Nobiletin (NOB) was able to mitigate AD pathogenesis. Furthermore, NOB significantly alleviated the …

Wired For Success: A Neurobiological Approach To Improving The Academic Outcomes Of Middle School Boys, Allison Emery

University Honors Theses

Male accomplishment in scholastic settings has been declining globally for the last decade, leading to long-term consequences for boys and men. Possible neurobiological underpinnings of the gender gap in education are discussed in this literature review. While male and female differences have, in the past, largely been considered socialized, recent science also confirms neurobiological variances between male and female development. These distinctions are assessed for their potential ties to the decline in male academic success, and are correlated to classroom practices, strategies and interventions meant to increase boys' engagement and performance.

Genomic Data Science Approaches For Understanding Human Diseases, Snehal Shah

All Dissertations

The intricate interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and lifestyle acts as the multifactorial landscape of diseases. Understanding this complexity presents a significant challenge. Molecular insights into disease mechanisms, particularly the interactions of DNA, RNA, and proteins with environmental and lifestyle factors, have revolutionized disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. High-throughput technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, generate large amounts of molecular data, holding a wealth of knowledge. These datasets unveil the roles of genes and their interactions with various factors through analysis, shedding light on previously unknown molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, they facilitate the discovery of biomarkers crucial for …

Poly (Adp-Ribose) Polymerase-1 (Parp1) Expression In The Frontal Cortex And Hippocampus In Major Depressive Disorder (Mdd) And Suicide, Ramona Faith Fulkerson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that has a complex pathophysiology. In this study we evaluate the expression of PARP1 and the downstream alarmin protein high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in two brain areas that have demonstrated pathology in MDD. MDD donors were compared to controls. MDD subgroups that died by suicide were also compared to those that did not die by suicide. Immunoblotting to determine PARP1 and HMGB1 protein expression was performed in white and grey matter from the frontal cortex and the hippocampus. In BA10 white and grey matter, PARP1 protein expression was significantly …

Gpr171 Modulates Mood, Consummatory Behaviors, And Morphine Antinociception In A Sexually Dimorphic Pattern In Mice, Megan C. Raddatz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Receptors in the brain influence everything from complex behaviors related to mood, all the way to simple physiological functions like the way a person moves. Receptors are activated or inactivated by chemicals or hormones that the body produces or that are created to mimic the body’s natural chemicals. Of the hundreds of receptors in the brain, GPR171 is particularly interesting because new drugs have been created to activate or block the receptor, and are being proposed for the treatment of different disorders, particularly disorders related to pain. GPR171 has been shown to affect pain behaviors, eating, and mood-related behaviors, but …

Advancing Methods For Studying The Neuroscience Of Sex Variability And Diversity, Vic Shao-Chih Chiang

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Sex variability and diversity are pervasive across taxa and genera. Society is heavily structured around sex/gender conceptualizations, and neuroscience research actively shapes these constructs. This dissertation adopts frameworks that challenge ideologies perpetuating sex/gender injustices and developed neuroscience-related methodologies that could advance the conceptualisations of sex. First, I studied B6D2F1 mice which exhibit sexual behaviour months after castration. This challenged the dogma that sexual behaviour is dependent on gonadal steroid hormones. I enhanced the behavioural analysis of these mice using deep learning techniques. Second, applying similar deep learning methods, I refined the behavioural analysis of Astatotilapia burtoni cichlids, which exhibit sexual …

The Effects Of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation On Excitability Of The Primary Motor Cortices And Complex Motor Task Learning, Erik Woodruff Wilkins

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) are promising non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, particularly for clinical applications involving altered or impaired motor function, such as in stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Although tDCS and tACS are different modalities, both forms of stimulation operate on the same principle - weak electrical currents are delivered through electrodes placed on the scalp in specific configurations known as “montages”. The most commonly used montage for targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) is the M1-SO configuration. This montage leverages the established observation that cortical regions directly beneath the anode generally increase in …

Evaluating The Effects Of Concussions And Tdcs On Executive Functioning In College Students, Macey Hoffman, Erin Dychdala

Neuroscience Summer Fellows

This PowerPoint presentation evaluates the effects of concussions and tDCS treatment on executive functioning in students at Ursinus College.

Host-Microbiome Interactions In The Teleost Brain, Amir Mani Varnoosfaderani

Biology ETDs

This dissertation investigates host-microbial interactions within the teleost brain, previously considered sterile. Reviewing current literature highlights significant gaps in understanding teleost brain immunity, despite prevalent neurotropic diseases. We mapped the immune profiles of rainbow trout brains and meninges, revealing the olfactory bulbs as the immune effector part of the brain and the optic tectum as a nod2 expression hub. High il6 and il10 levels were noted in the telencephalon. A persistent bacterial community within healthy salmonid brains shares diversity with gut and blood microbiota. Brain bacterial isolates exhibit genomic signatures for brain colonization and polyamine biosynthesis. The microbiota shifts across …

Energy Drinks, Shots, And Pre-Workout Supplements: A Brief Review, Jason M. Curtis, Jose Antonio

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Abstract

Introduction: There are many purported benefits, both physically and mentally, to consuming energy drinks, energy shots, and multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements ¹.

Methods: This current review, we used studies that investigated the benefits of ED, ES, and MIPS products. We looked for studies that reported the effects of these products, both physical and/or mental.

Review Findings: Current literature on these products suggests that the consumption of these ergogenic aids may increase power, force production, anaerobic production, muscular endurance, and endurance performance in athletes as well as improvement in many indices of mental performance ^2,15.

Practical …

Wearable Device Case-Study: Unveiling Physiological Stress Patterns In A Neurosurgeon Operating Multiple Surgeries, Andy Suarez, Justin Braun, Gabriel J. Sanders, Yoav Ritter, Steven Vanni, Jaime Tartar, Corey A. Peacock

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Introduction

Utilizing a wearable device, this case study aims to measure stress at different surgical durations to bridge the gap in research regarding the physiological stress of surgery. Significant stress variations throughout the surgeries are anticipated, which will provide valuable insight into the patterns of physiological stress experienced by our neurosurgeon.

Materials and Methods

One male neurosurgeon subject (n=1; age: 48; height: 188 cm; weight: 87.3 kg) conducted 82 surgeries (2023-2024). A wearable device (Whoop 4, Boston, MA) was used to monitor maximum heart rate (MAXHR), average heart rate (AVGHR), calories (CAL), strain (STR) and surgery duration (MIN). Surgeries were …

Improved Efficiency And Sensitivity Analysis Of 3-D Agent-Based Model For Pain-Related Neural Activity In The Amygdala, Kayla Kraeuter, Carley Reith, Benedict J. Kolber, Rachael Miller Neilan

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

Neuropathic pain is caused by nerve injury and involves brain areas such as the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). We developed the first 3-D agent-based model (ABM) of neuropathic pain-related neurons in the CeA using NetLogo3D. The execution time of a single ABM simulation using realistic parameters (e.g., 13,000 neurons and 22,000+ neural connections) is an important factor in the model’s usability. In this paper, we describe our efforts to improve the computational efficiency of our 3-D ABM, which resulted in a 28% reduction in execution time on average for a typical simulation. With this upgraded model, we performed …

Co-Activation Patterns During Viewing Of Different Video Game Genres, Ruifang Cui, Zihao Zheng, Lijun Jiang, Weiyi Ma, Dainkun Gong, Dezhong Yao

General Human Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Past research has revealed cognitive improvements resulting from engagement with both traditional action video games and newer action-like video games, such as action real-time strategy games (ARSG). However, the cortical dynamics elicited by different video gaming genres remain unclear. This study explored the temporal dynamics of cortical networks in response to different gaming genres. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were obtained during eye-closed resting and passive viewing of gameplay videos of three genres: life simulation games (LSG), first-person shooter games (FPS), and ARSG. Data analysis used a seed-free Co-Activation Pattern (CAP) based on Regions of Interest (ROIs). When comparing …

Using Machine Learning To Determine A Functional Classifier Of Reward Responsiveness And Its Association With Adolescent Psychiatric Symptomatology, Robert James Richard Blair, Johannah Bashford-Largo, Ahria Dominguez, Matthew Dobbertin, Karina S. Blair, Sahil Bajaj

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Background. Machine learning (ML) has developed classifiers differentiating patient groups despite concerns regarding diagnostic reliability. An alternative strategy, used here, is to develop a functional classifier (hyperplane) (e.g. distinguishing the neural responses to received reward v. received punishment in typically developing (TD) adolescents) and then determine the functional integrity of the response (reward response distance from the hyperplane) in adolescents with externalizing and internalizing conditions and its associations with symptom clusters.

Methods. Two hundred and ninety nine adolescents (mean age = 15.07 ± 2.30 years, 117 females) were divided into three groups: a training sample of TD adolescents …

Second Language Learning In Older Adults Modulates Stroop Task Performance And Brain Activation, Douglas H. Schultz, Alison Gansemer, Kiley Allgood, Mariah Gentz, Lauren Secilmis, Zoha Deldar, Cary R. Savage, Ladan Ghazi Saidi

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Introduction: Numerous studies have highlighted cognitive benefits in lifelong bilinguals during aging, manifesting as superior performance on cognitive tasks compared to monolingual counterparts. Yet, the cognitive impacts of acquiring a new language in older adulthood remain unexplored. In this study, we assessed both behavioral and fMRI responses during a Stroop task in older adults, pre- and post language-learning intervention.

Methods: A group of 41 participants (age: 60–80) from a predominantly monolingual environment underwent a four-month online language course, selecting a new language of their preference. This intervention mandated engagement for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. …

In Search Of The Locus Coeruleus: Guidelines For Identifying Anatomical Boundaries And Electrophysiological Properties Of The Blue Spot In Mice, Fish, Finches, And Beyond, Amelien Vreven, Gary Aston-Jones, Anthony E Pickering, Gina R Poe, Barry Waterhouse, Nelson K Totah

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Our understanding of human brain function can be greatly aided by studying analogous brain structures in other organisms. One brain structure with neurochemical and anatomical homology throughout vertebrate species is the locus coeruleus (LC), a small collection of norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons in the brainstem that project throughout the central nervous system. The LC is involved in nearly every aspect of brain function, including arousal and learning, which has been extensively examined in rats and nonhuman primates using single-unit recordings. Recent work has expanded into putative LC single-unit electrophysiological recordings in a nonmodel species, the zebra finch. Given the importance of …

Effects Of Vitis Vinifera L. Seed Extract On Short-Term Memory Of Amyloid-Beta-Mediated Neurodegeneration In Transgenic Caenorhabditis Elegans, Elise Patrick

Theses

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition that is a common cause of dementia and a growing concern worldwide with no effective treatment or cure. Two pathological AD hallmarks include buildup of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Recent attention has turned to exploring natural products and compounds for AD symptom relief and treatment. Vitis vinifera grape seed extract (GSE) contains many beneficial substances. GSE has been tested in several animal models and has shown to improve memory and is even being examined in an AD treatment human clinical trial. In this study, the aim was …

The Blessed Assembly: Irreplaceable Physical Co-Presence In Worship And Healthy Hybridity Reimagined After The Pandemic In The Digital Age, Yvette, Ying Wai Lau

Doctor of Pastoral Music Projects and Theses

Because of the unprecedented and unexpected force of the pandemic since 2020, most churches around the world have experienced some online worship during the lockdown of their cities or the mandated closure of the church buildings. For many people, online worship seems to be an equivalent, if not better, alternative for gathering together—a physical co-presence in worship—even after the pandemic has ended. As necessary and vital as online worship experiences have been for Christians during the pandemic, the witness of the church from Pentecost throughout Christian history indicates that gathered worship in physical spaces is irreplaceable for faith formation and …

Decentralized Clinical Trials For Medications To Reduce The Risk Of Dementia: Consensus Report And Guidance, Leanne Howard, Carla Abdelnour, Erin Abner, Ricardo F. Allegri, Hiroko H. Dodge, Serge Gauthier, Camilla M. Hoyos, Gregory Jicha, Patrick G. Kehoe, Catherine J. Mummery, Adesola Ogunniyi, Nikolaos Scarmeas, Xiaoying Chen, Jodie R. Titiner, Christopher R. Weber, Ruth Peters

Neurology Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Recent growth in the functionality and use of technology has prompted an increased interest in the potential for remote or decentralized clinical trials in dementia. There are many potential benefits associated with decentralized medication trials, but we currently lack specific recommendations for their delivery in the dementia field.

METHODS: A modified Delphi method engaged an expert panel to develop recommendations for the conduct of decentralized medication trials in dementia prevention. A working group of researchers and clinicians with expertise in dementia trials further refined the recommendations.

RESULTS: Overall, the recommendations support the delivery of decentralized trials in dementia prevention …

A Pathologic Study Of Perivascular Ptdp-43 Lin Bodies In Late-Nc, Ryan K. Shahidehpour, Peter T. Nelson, Adam D. Bachstetter

Neurology Faculty Publications

Background TAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 (TDP-43) pathological inclusions are a distinctive feature in dozens of neurodegenerative pathologies, including limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC). Prior investigations identified vascular-associated TDP-43-positive micro-lesions, known as “Lin bodies,” located on or near the brain capillaries of some individuals with LATE-NC. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the accumulation of Lin bodies and glial cells in LATE-NC and the potential co-localization with ferritin, a protein associated with iron storage. Using multiplexed immunohistochemistry and digital pathology tools, we conducted pathological analyses to investigate the relationship between Lin bodies and glial markers (GFAP for …

Streaminghub - A Realtime Biosignal Processing Framework For Lab Scale Experimentation, Yasith Jayawardana

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

In human subjects research, biosignals such as eye movements, heart rate, and brain activity, are often collected and analyzed to find patterns with tangible real-world implications. Modern advancements in technology have sparked interest towards analyzing biosignals in realtime. When developing such algorithms, one may expect to find free, open-source tools that provide easy access to live, recorded, and simulated data streams. Yet, biosignal interfaces are often vendor-specific, making cross-vendor biosignal streaming non-trivial. Likewise, reading biosignal datasets is also non-trivial, as their content may be arranged quite differently.

To combat this divide, we provide the scientific community with a realtime biosignal …

Measuring Activity Demands On Fatigue In Individuals With Parkinson's Disease, Laura R. Mccray, Kara M. Lee

Graduate Student Scholarship

The functional presentation of those with Parkinson's disease (PD) are complex, varying depending on cognition, physiological deficits, and support network. This study assesses the perceptions of fatigue across individuals with Parkinson's disease with different clinical presentations to guide clinicians in their selection of evidence-based interventions to facilitate greater functional outcomes. A mixed-methods design was used to collect data on the mental and physiological perceptions of fatigue, utilizing surveys and physiological measures such as heart rate. Participants were recruited from a community group targeting those with PD with inclusion criteria being a diagnosis of PD. Results for both heart rate and …

External And Internal Attribution In Human-Agent Interaction: Insights From Neuroscience And Virtual Reality, Nina Lauharatanahirun, Andrea Won, Angel Hsing-Chi Hwang

Human-Machine Communication

Agents are designed in the image of humans, both internally and externally. The internal systems of agents imitate the human brain, both at the levels of hardware (i.e., neuromorphic computing) and software (i.e., neural networks). Furthermore, the external appearance and behaviors of agents are designed by people and based on human data. Sometimes, these humanlike qualities of agents are purposely selected to increase their social influence over human users, and sometimes the human factors that influence perceptions of agents are hidden. Inspired by Blascovich’s “threshold of social influence’, a model designed to explain the effects of different methods of anthropomorphizing …