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Medicine and Health Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Neurology

Western Michigan University

Theses/Dissertations

2015

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

The Neurochemistry Of Group Singing: Bonding And Oxytocin, Jason Keeler Dec 2015

The Neurochemistry Of Group Singing: Bonding And Oxytocin, Jason Keeler

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the neurochemical correlates of group vocal improvisation and to determine the feasibility of the research methods. One group of four participants sang together in two conditions: pre-composed and improvised. Concentrations of plasma oxytocin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were measured before and after each singing condition to assess levels of hormones associated with social affiliation, engagement and arousal. Successful implementation of the methodology, including recruitment, data collection, and sample analysis, served as the primary outcome of this study. ACTH concentrations decreased in both conditions, and significantly so in the pre-composed singing condition. Mean …


The Effect Of Exercise Training On Skeletal Muscle Gdnf Content And Neuromuscular Physiology In A Mouse Model Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis., Nicole Carpp Apr 2015

The Effect Of Exercise Training On Skeletal Muscle Gdnf Content And Neuromuscular Physiology In A Mouse Model Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis., Nicole Carpp

Honors Theses

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease accompanied by the loss of motor neurons, leading to paralysis and death. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) promotes neuron health and function and has been proposed as a therapeutic treatment for ALS. GDNF protein expression in skeletal muscle is regulated by physical activity. The aim of this study was to determine if low intensity exercise would increase GDNF expression in skeletal muscle and slow degeneration of motor neurons in a mouse model of ALS. Following the first sign of disease onset, transgenic ALS mice were randomly assigned to one of three …