Medical Sciences Commons^™

Retinal Vessel Density And Diameter Changes In Alzheimer’S Disease: A Systematic Review, Alexa E. Nichols, Tori Sayers, Amin Ibrahim, Jorge Zwir, Andrew Tsin, Lorena Flores-Hernandez, Gladys Maestre, Jesus Melgarejo

Research Colloquium

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by cerebral microvascular dysfunction, which may be mirrored in the retina due to shared embryological origins and common risk factors such as hypertension.1 Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) offers a noninvasive approach to quantify retinal microvascular changes associated with AD.2 This systematic review evaluated retinal vessel density and diameter changes in relation to AD and related disorders, including mild cognitive impairment.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.3 Eligible studies included peer-reviewed human research using OCTA to assess retinal vessel density and/or diameter in mild cognitive impairment, AD, …

Systematic Review And Evidence Gap Mapping Of Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker Studies In Those With Intellectual And Developmental Disability, Lubnaa B. Abdullah, Ney Alex Alliey, Emma Elizondo, Ney Alliey Rodriguez, Gladys Maestre, James Hall

School of Medicine Publications

There are a relatively small number of investigations into brain aging in those with intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD). This project seeks to (1) characterize the internationally available multi-omics Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker studies including those with I/DD, and (2) discuss future research directions. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched under the following criteria: cross-sectional or longitudinal AD-omics studies on adults (18 +) with I/DD. 532 studies were identified, 186 studies were evaluated for full-text, 79 studies were excluded, and 117 studies were extracted. Most biological specimens were analyzed in blood, plasma, or serum. Metabolomics, hormonomics, and transcriptomics …

High-Resolution Mapping Of Alcohol-Related Brain Connectivity In Adults Using 7t Fmri And Multivoxel Pattern Classification, Alan N. Francis, Ihsan Salloum

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that alcohol use disrupts large-scale brain network interactions, particularly within the triple network model-comprising the Salience Network (SN), Default Mode Network (DMN), and Frontoparietal Network (FPN). However, few studies have examined how these connectivity alterations vary across the full spectrum of alcohol consumption, especially using ultra-high-field imaging and data-driven approaches. This study leverages 7 Tesla resting-state fMRI and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to characterize distinct brain connectivity patterns across heavy, moderate, and non-drinking adults, aiming to identify neural signatures that differentiate alcohol use severity levels.

Methods: We analyzed resting-state functional connectivity data from 69 adults (Mean …

Ifit3 Activation Significantly Contributes To Hiv-1-Associated Neurodegenerative Disorder-Mediated Neuroinflammation, Ranjit Kumar Das, Nirakar Sahoo, Deepa Roy, Chun Xu, Jose Galarza, Maria Camila Mejia Garza, Hansapani Rodrigo, Asim K. Duttaroy, Upal Roy

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: The advent of effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has significantly improved HIV-1 treatment, saving millions of lives. However, HAND remains a concern, particularly among aging individuals with HIV-1. The mechanisms underlying HAND are not well understood.

Methods: This study investigated the role of interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3) and its upstream regulator, signal transducer, and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), in HAND pathology. Using the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line and HIV-infected humanized mice, we examined the effects of the cART drugs, HIV Tat protein, and HIV-1 virus on STAT1 and IFIT3 expression.

Results: The results showed that …

Temporal Disparities In Diagnosis: The Critical Impact Of Laboratory Workflow Inefficiencies On Outcomes In Metabolic And Cardiovascular Disorders, Evans Dzreke, Celene Dzreke, Ramseyer Adekorang Asamoah, David Kanze

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Diagnostic delays and laboratory process inefficiencies constitute a common but unaddressed dilemma in contemporary healthcare, quietly undermining patient outcomes in metabolic and cardiovascular illnesses where immediate intervention is critical. This seminal work goes beyond traditional operational viewpoints to demonstrate diagnostic inefficiency as an independent, adjustable risk factor with far-reaching implications. We rigorously quantified the impact of delayed test processing and reporting on clinical outcomes using a comprehensive mixed-methods approach that included multi-center retrospective cohort analysis (N=128,743 patients), real-time workflow mapping across 37 laboratories, in-depth case reviews, and economic modeling. Our findings challenged conventional wisdom by indicating that each 24-hour increase …

Digital Pathology In Tau Research: A Comparison Of Qupath And Halo, Angelique D. Gonzalez, Yannick Joel Wadop Ngouongo, Benjamin Danner, Kyra M. Clarke, Matthew B. Dopler, Ali Ghaseminejad-Bandpey, Sahana Babu, Julie Parker-Garza, Cole Corbett, Gladys Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

The application of digital pathology tools has expanded in recent years, but non-neoplastic human brain tissue presents unique challenges due to its complexity. This study evaluated HALO and QuPath tau quantification performance in the hippocampus and mid-frontal gyrus across various tauopathies. Percent positivity emerged as the most reliable measure, showing strong correlations with Braak stages and CERAD scores, outperforming object and optical densities. QuPath demonstrated superior correlations with Braak stages, while HALO excelled in aligning with CERAD scoring. However, HALO’s optical density was less consistent. Paired t-tests revealed significant differences in object and optical densities between platforms, though percent positivity …

Genetic Study Of Von Willebrand Factor Antigen Levels ≤ 50 Iu/Dl Identifies Variants Associated With Increased Risk Of Vwd And Bleeding, Rachel K. Friedman, Adam S. Heath, Jennifer E. Huffman, James T. Baker, Natalie R. Hasbani, Sarah A. Gagliano Taliun, Ming-Huei Chen, Tom Howard, Joanne E. Curran, John Blangero

School of Medicine Publications

Background: von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a common inherited bleeding disorder caused by low levels or activity of circulating von Willebrand factor (VWF). Genetic susceptibility to VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) below normal (≤50 IU/dL) in the general population is underexplored.

Methods: To identify genetic variants influencing VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL, we performed a genome-wide association study in 926 cases with VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL and 12,846 controls from 7 studies from the TOPMed program. We then examined whether genome-wide significant findings were also associated with clinical diagnosis of VWD in 5 biobanks with 708 VWD cases and 1,286,069 controls, and with …

Changing The Perceived Pain Intensity In Populations With Spinal Cord Injury And With Health Disparities (Happiness): Protocol For A Feasibility Study, Ann Van De Winckel, Lin Zhang, Leslie R. Morse, Brianna Woodliff, Gladys Maestre, Kelsey Baker

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Chronic neuropathic pain affects 69% of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Medication, as a primary treatment, has insufficient benefits and significant risks for addiction and adverse effects. Of the available mind and body approaches, Qigong is the most accessible for adults with SCI, with evidence for effectiveness in reducing pain. Still, there is insufficient evidence to make recommendations for adults with SCI. Thus, the feasibility of Qigong in SCI needs to be established. We previously demonstrated feasibility in a pilot study, in which 18 non-Hispanic White adults with SCI completed a 12-week remote Qigong program. However, three additional …

Tlr4 Asp299gly Snp (Rs4986790) Protects From Periodontal Inflammatory Destruction By Altering Tlr4 Susceptibility To Lps Stimulation, Franco Cavalla, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti, Ariadne Letra, Renato Silva, Alexandre R. Vieira, Franz J. Strauss, Gustavo P. Garlet

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Simple Summary

Periodontitis is a common disease that affects the gums and the bone supporting the teeth, often leading to tooth loss. It results from a complex interaction between bacteria and the body’s immune response. Some people are more susceptible than others, and genetics may play a role. In this study, we focused on a genetic variation (called a polymorphism) in a gene known as TLR4, which helps the immune system recognize harmful bacteria. We examined over 1400 individuals from different populations and found that people carrying this specific variation, known as Asp299Gly, were less likely to develop severe periodontal …

African Leadership In Brain Diplomacy: The Yaoundé Declaration Advances The Global Brain Economy Playbook For Better Brain Health, Alfred Kongnyu Njamnshi, Jacques Fame Ndongo, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Paul M. Ghogomu, Séraphin M. Fouda, Marie-Thérèse A. Ondoa Obama, Madeleine Tchuinte, Alamine O. Mey, Gladys Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Africa, the world’s second-largest continent is home to 1.5 billion people, accounting for nearly 20% of the global population, (60% under age 25). By 2050, Africa’s population will be 2.5 billion, and by 2035, more young Africans will be entering the workforce each year than in the rest of the world combined. Africa also hosts a rich social, cultural, and geopolitical diversity across its 5 geopolitical zones covering 54 countries. It is the most genetically, culturally, and linguistically diverse region on the planet. However, Africa’s contribution to the global economy could be more significant if it urgently embraces the brain …

The Impact Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus On The Severity Of Alzheimer's Disease In Hispanic Populations In The Rio Grande Valley: A Pilot Retrospective Chart Review, Maria Camila Gonzalez Tovar, Daniel Salinas, Kelsey Baker

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is becoming more prevalent worldwide, leading to a growing demand to understand the impact of risk factors on disease progression. Notably, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has emerged as a significant risk factor for the development of AD, given the pathophysiological role of insulin resistance in cognitive impairment. In particular, the impact of type 2 DM on AD development and severity may be heightened in Hispanic populations due to the high prevalence of both conditions in this community. Here, we sought to understand the role of type 2 DM in AD severity in a Hispanic population …

Acute Dentate Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Modulates Corticomotor Excitability In Chronic Stroke Survivors, Xin Li, Kenneth B. Baker, Kyle O'Laughlin, Yin-Liang Lin, Kelsey Baker, Robert Chen, Jacqueline Chen, Andre G. Machado, Ela B. Plow

School of Medicine Publications

Background

Deep brain stimulation of the dentate nucleus (DN-DBS) is an emerging therapy to improve upper extremity (UE) motor function after stroke. This study sought to investigate the physiologic mechanisms of acuteDN-DBS in chronic stroke survivors enrolled in a phase I trial for DN-DBS.

Methods

Twelve chronic stroke participants with moderate-to-severe UE impairment received (acute) single sessions (≥45 min) of active DBS and sham DBS in a sham-controlled, double-blind, cross-over experiment (order randomized). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to evaluate corticomotor physiology. We also characterized the relationship between acute DBS effects on physiology and baseline clinical …

Long-Term Neurocognitive And Behavioral Outcomes In Survivors Of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review, Tirath Patel, Pulkit Johar, Vaishnavi Kanisetti, Megan Szobody, Tori Sayers, Sriya Gullapalli, Murali Yallapu, Mushfiq Hassan Shaikh, Nikhilesh Anand, Kelsey Baker, Bharathi Gadad

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Brain tumors are among the most common neoplasms in children. These patients suffer from neurocognitive impairment, treatment-related side effects, and experience a subpar quality of life (QoL), affecting academic endeavors, social interaction, and mental wellbeing.

Methods: This review investigated different long-term neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors and evaluated various effective treatment methods. We identified 75 relevant articles published between 2019 and 2024 using PubMed, PMC, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. Duplicates were removed, and 14 studies were finally selected following the PRISMA guidelines. Initial observations noted significant variations in the study methodologies and inclusion criteria. …

Current Paradigm And Futuristic Vision On New-Onset Diabetes And Pancreatic Cancer Research, Russell Moreland Iii, Abigail Arredondo, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Shabia Shabir, Asfia Siddiqua, Bonny Bannerjee, Murali Yallapu, Stephen Behrman, Subhash Chauhan, Sheema Khan

School of Medicine Publications

New-onset diabetes (NOD) has emerged as a potential early indicator of pancreatic cancer (PC), necessitating a refined clinical approach for risk assessment and early detection. This study discusses critical gaps in understanding the NOD-PC relationship and proposes a multifaceted approach to enhance early detection and risk assessment. We present a comprehensive clinical workflow for evaluating NOD patients, incorporating biomarker discovery, genetic screening, and AI-driven imaging to improve PC risk stratification. While existing models consider metabolic factors, they often overlook germline genetic predispositions that may influence disease development. We propose integrating germline genetic testing to identify individuals carrying pathogenic variants in …

Lifespan Reference Curves For Harmonizing Multi-Site Regional Brain White Matter Metrics From Diffusion Mri, Alyssa H. Zhu, Talia M. Nir, Shayan Javid, Julio E. Villalón-Reina, Amanda L. Rodrigue, Lachlan T. Strike, Greig I. De Zubicaray, Katie L. Mcmahon, Margaret J. Wright, John Blangero

School of Medicine Publications

Age-related white matter (WM) microstructure maturation and decline occur throughout the human lifespan, complementing the process of gray matter development and degeneration. Here, we create normative lifespan reference curves for global and regional WM microstructure by harmonizing diffusion MRI (dMRI)-derived data from ten public datasets (N = 40,898 subjects; age: 3–95 years; 47.6% male). We tested three harmonization methods on regional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) based fractional anisotropy (FA), a metric of WM microstructure, extracted using the ENIGMA-DTI pipeline. ComBat-GAM harmonization provided multi-study trajectories most consistent with known WM maturation peaks. Lifespan FA reference curves were validated with test-retest data …

Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), Ariana Vianey Hinojosa

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter widely recognized for its role in neuropsychological processes, particularly in regulating mood, cognition, and emotional responses. However, its influence extends beyond the central nervous system (CNS), playing a crucial role in various physiological functions, including metabolism, the gastrointestinal system, reproductive processes, and cardiovascular regulation. As a key modulator of homeostasis, serotonin contributes to maintaining equilibrium within these systems, ensuring proper function and response to environmental stimuli. Despite its well-documented effects on mood and behavior, the broader physiological implications of serotonin remain less understood, particularly in the context of its interactions among neural, behavioral, and cardiovascular systems. …

Living With Alzheimer’S: A Guide To How To Lower The Risk Of Memory Loss & Care For Those With Alzheimer’S, Mona Muzammil, Washain Muzammil

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Despite the frequent characterization of Alzheimer's disease as a “loss of self,"" this enlightening book demonstrates unequivocally that a person's unique self persists throughout the course of the disease. The important message in Caring for People with Alzheimer’s is how much can be done in care settings to support a person's sense of identity and thereby enrich the lives of people experiencing the many losses associated with dementia. Drawing from a diverse body of research, this book brings together the recommendations of the best thinkers and practitioners in multiple disciplines to illustrate the meaning of self and the importance of …

Novel Signaling Pathways Involved In Ybx1 Role In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Yamile Abuchard Anaya, Ana Ayala Pazzi, Dennis Kwabiah, Veerababu Nagati, Ricardo Pequeno Bracho, Kyle Doxtater, Subhash C. Chauhan, Manish K. Tripathi

Research Symposium

Background: The most prevalent type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and socioeconomic and health disparities have a major impact on both its incidence and fatality rates. HCC rates are typically greater in areas with poor access to healthcare, high obesity rates, and a high frequency of infectious diseases. Because of risk factors include diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and Hepatitis B and C, HCC is particularly common in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The burden of HCC in this underprivileged area is made worse by McAllen, Texas, which regrettably holds the distinction of being the most obese …

Dysregulation Of Cholesterol Metabolism And Sorafenib Drug Resistance In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Veerababu Nagati, Dennis Kwabiah, Yamile Abuchard Anaya, Ana Ayala Pazzi, Manish K. Tripathi

Research Symposium

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most prevalent cancers and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, serves as a key first-line treatment for HCC when surgical intervention is not an option. However, primary and acquired resistance to sorafenib has significantly limited its effectiveness, reducing the disease control rate. Dysregulation of numerous genes that influence cancer cell proliferation, survival, and drug resistance contributes to this challenge. Identifying the molecular drivers of sorafenib resistance remains critical to improving treatment outcomes. Several factors, including activation of oncogenic pathways (e.g., Akt/mTOR), hypoxia, cholesterol metabolism, EMT, multidrug resistance, and …

Long-Term Neurocognitive And Behavioral Outcomes In Survivors Of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review, Tori Sayers, Megan W. Szobody, Nina Mourao, Blake C. Martin, Sriya Gullapalli, Kory Punch, Tirath Patel, Murali Yallapu, Bharathi Shrikanth Gadad

Research Symposium

Background: Pediatric populations have an increased susceptibility for brain tumors and suffer from neurocognitive impairment due to the neoplasm itself, and side effect of subsequent treatments. This causes many patients to experience a subpar quality of life (QoL), affecting academic endeavors, social interaction and mental well-being. Increasing our understanding of the long-term effects associated with brain tumors and the side effects from our current treatment methodology will help us formulate better treatment protocols and improve survivors’ QoL. This review aims to investigate different long-term neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors, as well as evaluate how various treatment …

Unraveling Genetic Links Between Diabetes And Heart Failure-A Machine Learning Approach, Sunakhi Sahoo, Marzieh Ayati

Research Symposium

Background: Diabetic heart failure (DHF) is defined as a chronic and progressive disease which is associated with both diabetes and heart failure (HF). Even though there have been many developments in the knowledge of these diseases, there is still much to learn about the genetic crossovers between the two. In this study, we identified genes that are associated with diabetic heart failure and heart failure by using gene expression data from patients with DHF, HF, and a control group of patients who died of natural causes. We sought to identify genes that had altered expression levels which could possibly play …

Interlink Between Genomics By Gtex Portal And Gut Microbiome In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sriya Gullapalli, Nina Mourao, Tori Sayers, Lois Baldado, Megan W. Szobody, Arjun Bellamkonda, Blake C. Martin, Kory D. Punch, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Anesu Karen Murambadoro, Miguel Quintanilla, Bethany Woolman, Kelsey Baker, Bharathi S. Gadad

Research Symposium

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive behaviors, social deficits, and highly restrictive sensory patterns which results from aberrant early-life central nervous system functioning. While ASD has been traditionally associated with molecular genetic alterations, emerging evidence underscores the role of environmental elements. In fact, pathologic genetic variations of key regulator genes coupled with environmental factors, such as: advanced maternal age, poor maternal health during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, and altered gut microbiome and/or secondary environmental challenges to the offspring in early childhood have all been attributed to increased risk of developing ASD. In efforts …

Uca1 As A Key Regulator Of The Warburg Effect During Anoikis Resistance In Colorectal Cancer Metastasis, Ricardo Pequeno Bracho, Salique Hassan Shaham, Yamile Abuchard Anaya, Sophia Leslie, Kyle Doxtater, Subhash Chauhan, Bilal Hafeez, Tamer Oraby, Manish K. Tripathi

Research Symposium

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. While localized CRC has a 90% five-year survival rate, this drops sharply to 14% upon metastasis. Metastasis occurs in approximately 40–50% of CRC cases and requires cancer cells to acquire anoikis resistance—a critical adaptation allowing survival after detachment from the extracellular matrix, enabling migration and colonization of secondary sites. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving anoikis resistance, particularly those linked to altered glucose metabolism, is essential for developing targeted therapies for metastatic CRC.

Cancer cells frequently exhibit the Warburg Effect, a metabolic adaptation favoring glycolysis over …

Maternal Health And Congenital Heart Defects: Investigating Ventricular Septal Defects In South Texas Region 11, Miguel A. Lopez, Sophia Moon, Jonathan M. Hebert, Padmanabhan Rengasamy

Research Symposium

Congenital heart defects are a known risk factor for early childhood mortality and can be traced to poor maternal health, a crisis plaguing the South Texas region. This perspective research project utilizes previously computed data on the prevalence of ventricular septal defects (VSD) in South Texas region 11 combined with a comprehensive literature review to investigate the correlation between both maternal obesity and diabetes with VSD. Current literature supports a significant association between maternal diabetes and VSD, with one Russian study reporting an eight to nine fold increased risk in VSD in children born to diabetic mothers. By contrast, the …

An Endocrine Enigma: The Implications Of Pembrolizumab Therapy, Miguel A. Lopez, Mario Trujillo Acosta, Jose Romero Villarreal Calderon, Laura Garcia

Research Symposium

Disorders of the endocrine system are a potential complication of cancer treatment despite newer immunotherapy agents holding promise to improve patient outcomes. Breast cancer in particular requires pharmacologic intervention based on the receptor positivity. For example, a triple negative workup often requires neoadjuvant therapy with the newer immunotherapy agent pembrolizumab. Clinicians should be aware of the potential adverse effects of this drug, most notably adrenal insufficiency. This case follows a 52 year old hispanic female patient with a history of triple negative left sided breast cancer on immunotherapy with pembrolizumab, who presented to the emergency department after a syncopal episode …

Alk Drives Neuroblastoma Tumorigenesis Via Upregulation Of Postn And Activation Of Wnt And Stat3 Signaling, Miller Huang, Wanqi Fang, Alvin Farrel, Linwei Li, Tania Porras Corredor, Shahab Asgharzadeh, John Maris, William A. Weiss

Research Symposium

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. Two of the earliest known genetic drivers of NB are the oncogene MYCN and receptor tyrosine kinase ALK. While animal models show MYCN and mutationally active ALK F1174L can accelerate NB tumorigenesis, the mechanism of this cooperation is unknown. This study applied a human stem cell-based model to elucidate how ALK cooperates with MYCN to accelerate tumorigenesis of NB.

Methods: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were engineered with doxycycline-inducible MYCN and constitutively active ALKF1174L. These iPSCs were differentiated into trunk neural crest cells (tNCCs) and orthotopically transplanted into …

Neuromodulation Techniques For Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Effects On Seizures And Quality Of Life, Kevin Garcia Valdez, Anesu Karen Murambadoro, Megan W. Szobody, Blake C. Martin, Kory D. Punch, Tori Sayers, Tirath Patel, Nina Mourao, Sriya Gullapalli, Nikhilesh Anand, Bharathi S. Gadad

Research Symposium

Introduction: Although there are over twenty antiseizure drugs currently available, around one third of patients with epilepsy do not benefit from these medications. Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) experience higher rates of hospitalization, notable decline in cognitive and physical abilities, diminished quality of life, and sudden unexpected death. Neuromodulation techniques such as Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS), and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) are quickly emerging as alternative and adjunct therapies for epilepsy, offering patients and physicians a new avenue of treatment. Despite their promise, a notable gap exists in comprehensive, comparative data assessing the efficacy and suitability of …

Identification Of Retinal Microvasculature Associated With Alzheimer’S Disease-Related Disorders Using Optical Tomography Coherence Angiography: A Systematic Review, Giani C. Tah, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Igor Zwir, Lorena Flores-Hernandez, Gladys E. Maestre, Jesus D. Melgarejo

Research Symposium

Introduction: Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) is the most common type of form of dementia in older adults. Detection and diagnosis are based on invasive and expensive procedures including PET scanning and lumbar puncture cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Optical Tomography Coherence (OCT) angiography may be an alternative solution for early, cost-effective non-invasive detection of AD. We aimed to conduct a systematic review to summarize the current evidence describing the association between OCT angiography and AD using PubMed as data source.

Methods: Pubmed was used to compile resources for a systematic review. Keywords used include “Alzheimer’s disease”, “preclinical Alzheimer’s disease”, “OCT”, “OCTA”, “neurovascular degeneration”, …

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (Pml) Induced By Jc Virus: A Case Report And Review Of Clinical Implications, Hugo Zamarron, Roberto Cruz

Research Symposium

Background: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare but serious demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, caused by the John Cunningham (JC) virus. While the JC virus is common in the general population, it remains dormant in healthy individuals but can reactivate in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing immunosuppressive treatments for organ transplants or autoimmune conditions. The virus attacks oligodendrocytes, leading to demyelination and significant neurological deficits. Immunosuppressive therapies such as natalizumab, rituximab, and mycophenolate increase the risk of PML. Diagnosing PML is challenging as its symptoms—focal neurological deficits, sensory-motor issues, and visual disturbances—overlap with conditions …

Exploring The Mechanisms Of Varicella-Zoster Virus Pathogenesis And Its Potential Role In Oncogenesis, Fernando Cisneros, Blake Martin

Research Symposium

Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly prevalent pathogen primarily recognized for causing chickenpox during primary infection and herpes zoster (HZ), also known as shingles, upon reactivation. While post-infectious complications of VZV, such as encephalitis, pneumonia, and post-herpetic neuralgia, are well-established, recent large population-based studies suggest that HZ may increase the risk of occult cancers. Emerging evidence suggests that VZV may modulate key oncogenic pathways, such as the inhibition of apoptosis, alteration of cell cycle regulatory enzymes, and interference with immunosurveillance, which could potentially promote cancer development. These findings indicate that VZV’s role in cancer biology may involve direct cellular …