Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Investigating Gene-Environment Interaction In A Double-Hit Model For Autism Spectrum Disorder, Melvin Maroon

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

With the exponential advancements seen in the field of sequencing technology, the science community has come to identify hundreds of potential genetic risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite our knowledge that such risk factors exist, we have yet to understand their specific influences on the behavioral profile of an individual. In addition, maternal infection during pregnancy can have longstanding detrimental outcomes on a child’s development. This is especially impactful with the present threat of viral infection during the pandemic. Our study aims to understand the influence of a specific genetic and environmental factor on a preclinical rodent model’s behavioral development. …

Investigating Adherence To Screening Guidelines For Cardiometabolic Disease In Persons With Spinal Cord Injury At The Parkwood Institute Outpatient Clinic, Luxshmi Nageswaran

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic disease (CMD) and related complications. To address this, the Paralyzed Veterans of America released a set of clinical practice guidelines with screening recommendations for CMD risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.

Clinical data indicated that 25 patients out of a total of 48 (52%) are at an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic disease, as defined as having three or more risk factors present. In addition, a review of 30 intake forms from the Parkwood Institute Outpatient Clinic showed that hypertension and weight screenings …