Neurosciences Commons^™

Heart Rate Variability Following Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise And Traditional Resistance Exercise In Trained Men And Women, Michael R. Perlet, Lauren I. Mendonça, Peter A. Hosick, Nicholas Licameli, Evan L. Matthews

Research Data

Autonomic nervous system responses are attenuated following blood flow restriction (BFR) resistance exercise vs traditional resistance exercise (TRE) in men, but women’s responses are unknown. The purpose of this investigation is to compare the effects of a single BFR vs TRE session on HRV. Thirty-nine adults (M=20, W=19, age: 23±4yrs, body mass: 72.3±13.2kg, height: 169±9cm) participated in the study. Barbell back squat 1 repetition maximum (1RM) testing was performed followed by two randomized and counterbalanced exercise visits ≥48hrs apart (BFR: 4 sets, 30-15-15-15 repetitions, 30% 1RM, 60s rest; TRE: 4 sets x 10 repetitions, 70% 1RM, 60s rest). Pre- and …

Impact Of Tranexamic Acid On Patient Outcomes In Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Review, William G. Johnson

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Intracranial hemorrhage is a medical emergency that remains a significant source of death and disability for patients globally. Tranexamic acid has shown promise in treating trauma related bleeding loss in various settings. This study aims to evaluate its role in the management of intracranial hemorrhages.

Methods: A review of data in the PubMed National Library of Medicine was conducted to find relevant and reputable studies related to this topic. Using the search “tranexamic acid AND intracranial hemorrhage*” and the following filters: last 5 years, free full text, English language, including RCTs, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews, 13 results …

A Case Study: Alzheimer’S Progression In Mri, Lacey E. Sorber

Medical Imaging Senior Posters

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of Americans. Many individuals know a person who is currently suffering from Alzheimer’s or has lost their life due to the disease. Alzheimer’s can be described as early-onset or late-onset. Early-onset Alzheimer's occurs before the age of 65, and late-onset occurs after the age of 65. This research demonstrates a case study of a 63 year old male with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss, cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and language problems. The patient in this case study’s symptoms began with memory loss and began to regress into cognitive decline. …

Investigation Of Heterosynaptic Long-Term Potentiation Of Non-Nociceptive Synapses, Synaptically Relevant Kinase Discovery, And Virtual Screening For A Pkmz Inhibitor In Hirudo Verbana", Avery Franzen

Dissertations and Theses

There is a considerable lack in efficacy for current chronic pain treatments. One therapy that has gained attention are cannabinoid-based medications. However, preclinical and clinical trials do not produce anti-nociceptive results consistently and occasionally produce pro-nociceptive results. Understanding this ambiguity between anti-nociceptive and pro-nociceptive effects is vital to cannabinoids’ future utilization. One symptom of chronic pain conditions is allodynia in which pain is perceived following non-painful stimuli. This may be due to non-nociceptive afferents activating nociceptive circuitry in an abnormal manner. Using the medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana, we have begun to elucidate mechanisms by which endocannabinoids strengthen non-nociceptive afferent synapses. …

Deep Dive In Sound Filtering, Cecilia Zoutewelle

A. The Science of Sound

A 7-page report, with illustrations and bullet-point summaries, on the ways we filter sounds as part of the standard process of hearing. Includes brief considerations of evolution, selective listening in conversations, and listening bias.

Optimizing Decision-Making In A Cerebral Palsy Model Using Reinforcement Learning, Richard Ampah

Pitzer Senior Theses

This study presents an original interdisciplinary investigation into how reinforcement learning (RL) can model motor and cognitive defects and potentially improve motor and cognitive functions in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), a non-progressive neurological disorder that impairs movement and adaptability. Integrating computational neuroscience and machine learning, the research applies policy gradient methods and Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) to simulate adaptive learning in agents with and without CP-related constraints.

The central aim is to compare the cumulative rewards of optimal policies, derived from value iteration, and human-like learning policies using the REINFORCE algorithm, both with and without the Bellman baseline. The …

Endoneurial Immune Interplay In Peripheral Nerve Repair: Insights And Implications For Future Therapeutic Interventions, Alina Sprenger-Svačina, Martin K R Svačina, Husniye G Otlu, Tong Gao, Kazim A Sheikh, Gang Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The mechanisms underlying axonal injury and repair in peripheral nerves, whether due to traumatic damage or autoimmune neuropathies, are complex and not yet fully understood. Recent research indicates that an orchestrated interplay between damaged neurons, Schwann cells, and especially endoneurial immune cells such as macrophages or T cells is crucial to achieve satisfactory nerve recovery. Following axonal injury, degenerating axons and reactive Schwann cells release chemoattractants and cytokines that recruit immune cells into the endoneurium. Among them, macrophages play a pivotal role by clearing axonal and myelin debris and subsequently creating a pro-regenerative microenvironment that supports axonal outgrowth. There is …

From Misinformation To Policy Solutions: Teaching Herd Immunity And Vaccine Hesitancy Through Real-World Case Studies Of Measles Outbreaks, Laurieann Klockow

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Vaccine hesitancy threatens herd immunity, contributing to the resurgence of measles outbreaks. This lesson engages upper-level biomedical science students in analyzing the complex interplay between vaccination rates, herd immunity and vaccine exemption policies through examination of the 2019 New York measles outbreak that threatened the United States’ measles elimination status. Students critically evaluate anti-vaccine misinformation, analyze epidemiological data and develop evidence-based policy recommendations to increase vaccination rates. The lesson combines team-based learning with authentic assessment through vaccine policy development, moving beyond knowledge acquisition and content to building scientific literacy and evidence-based reasoning skills essential for scientifically literate citizens and future …

Who Calls For Urgent Action To Ban Flavoured Tobacco And Nicotine Products

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Early Changes In Inflammation-Related Proteins In The Cerebrospinal Fluid And Plasma Of Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, David J. Braun, Kevin W. Hatton, Justin F. Fraser, Robert M. Flight, Hunter N. B. Moseley, Caleb S. Bailey, Josh M. Morganti, Bingqing Zhang, Ishara S. Ariyapala, Tae K. Kim, Linda J. Van Eldik

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Background

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a relatively uncommon but high mortality form of stroke that can result in long-lasting disability. A better understanding of key neuroinflammatory changes during the early phase (< 72 h) may provide potential avenues of treatment.

Methods

In an attempt to understand these early changes, we recruited 7 aSAH patients for profiling of longitudinal plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins at up to 72 h post injury. We additionally compared this to control plasma obtained previously from healthy elderly volunteers. Using the Alamar Biosciences NULISAseq platform, we obtained a comprehensive picture of early peripheral and central inflammatory changes after injury.

Results

This study …

Nicorandil Treatment Improves Survival And Spatial Learning In Aged Granulin Knockout Mice, Dana M. Niedowicz, Wang-Xia Wang, Paresh Prajapati, Yu Zhong, Shuling X. Fister, Colin B. Rogers, Pradoldej Sompol, David K. Powell, Indumati Patel, Christopher M. Norris, Kathryn E. Saatman, Peter T. Nelson

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Mutations in the human granulin (GRN) gene are associated with multiple diseases, including dementia disorders such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE). We studied a Grn knockout (Grn-KO) mouse model in order to evaluate a potential therapeutic strategy for these diseases using nicorandil, a commercially available agonist for the ABCC9/Abcc9-encoded regulatory subunit of the “K⁺ATP” channel that is well-tolerated in humans. Aged (13 months) Grn-KO and wild-type (WT) mice were treated as controls or with nicorandil (15 mg/kg/day) in drinking water for 7 months, then tested for neurobehavioral …

Gait Variability As A Marker Of White Matter Integrity In Individuals With Down Syndrome, Elizabeth M. Leach, David K. Powell, Amanda C. Glueck, Elizabeth Head, Moaz W. Ibrahim, Amelia J. Anderson-Mooney, Kathryn L. Van Pelt, Jordan P. Harp, Frederick A. Schmitt, Ahmed A. Bahrani

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Introduction: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) face a significant risk of neurodegeneration, and gait variability may serve as a clinical biomarker of neurological health. This longitudinal parent substudy aimed to explore relationships between gait, white matter (WM) integrity, and cognitive function in DS.

Methods: The associations were investigated between magnetic resonance imaging diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), cognition, and self-paced gait data from 22 DS participants (mean age ± SD 37 ± 7.5 years).

Results: DTI measures, such as lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean diffusivity, were correlated with greater step time variability but not normalized velocities. Lower cognitive scores …

Disrupted Calcium Dynamics In Reactive Astrocytes Occur With End Feet–Arteriole Decoupling In An Amyloid Mouse Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Blaine Weiss, John C. Gant, Ruei-Lung Lin, Jenna L. Gollihue, Colin B. Rogers, Susan D. Kraner, Edmund B. Rucker, Yuriko Katsumata, Yang Jiang, Peter T. Nelson, Donna M. Wilcock, Pradoldej Sompol, Olivier Thibault, Christopher M. Norris

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

While cerebrovascular dysfunction and reactive astrocytosis are extensively characterized hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias, the dynamic relationship between reactive astrocytes and cerebral vessels remains poorly understood. Here, we used jGCaMP8f and two-photon microscopy to investigate calcium signaling in multiple astrocyte subcompartments, concurrent with changes in cerebral arteriole activity, in fully awake 7- to 8-month-old male and female 5xFAD mice, a model for AD-like pathology, and wild-type (WT) littermates. In the absence of movement, spontaneous calcium transients in barrel cortex occurred more frequently in astrocyte somata, processes, and perivascular regions of 5xFAD mice. However, evoked arteriole dilations (in …

Cellular And Behavioral Consequences Of Psychedelic Drug Action In The Claustrum, Tanner L. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Psychedelics are rapidly garnering research attention for their ability to successfully treat a variety of psychiatric diseases after one or a handful of treatments in recent clinical research. Among the conditions treated is substance use disorder (SUD), which afflicted 48.5 million (16.7%) Americans aged 12 and older in 2023 (NSDUH). As clinical trial results continue to show lasting positive effects of psychedelic psychotherapy, there remains an enormous gap in knowledge regarding how these drugs cause lasting changes in the brain to achieve these therapeutic effects. It has been suggested that psychedelics must induce rapid and long-lasting neuronal plasticity in order …

Leveraging Clinical Standards To Improve The Translational Relevance Of Therapies For Experimental Spinal Cord Injury, Aaron L. Silverstein

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Efforts to improve treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) often use animals to develop effective therapeutics, intending to improve the survival and the quality of life of persons with SCI. Over half of all SCIs in the United States occur at the cervical level and often cause locomotor deficits and life-threatening breathing dysfunction. Thus, my dissertation is focused on this important patient population.

After beginning with a description of translational research and surveying SCI from a clinical standpoint, I turned to describe experimental models of cervical SCI and more detailed neuroimmunological findings relevant to my work. Then, I conducted a …

Immune Dynamics And B Cell Contributions To Neuroplasticity And Recovery After Stroke, Thomas A. Ujas

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

This dissertation explores the dynamic interplay between the immune system and the brain across stroke and aging using clinical, post-mortem, and pre-clinical models. The immune system plays critical roles in shaping brain function, responding to injury, and mediating recovery. These studies aim to enhance our understanding of neuroimmune dynamics across spatial and temporal dimensions.

In the first part, we conducted longitudinal sampling of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients to track immune cell and cytokine changes at days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 post-stroke, with a focus on delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), a common complication. We observed distinct temporal patterns, …

Anxiolytic Intervention: Modulation Of Cell Types Due To Nicotine Withdrawal, Taylor Elder

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Nicotine use disorder (NUD) remains a leading cause of preventable disease, yet the neurobiological mechanisms underlying nicotine withdrawal are incompletely understood. Emerging evidence implicates neuroimmune signaling and astrocytic regulation of glutamate in shaping the withdrawal-associated affective phenotype. This dissertation investigated these processes using multiple nicotine administration paradigms including osmotic minipump implant, cigarette smoke exposure, and nicotine vapor inhalation to model diverse routes of human nicotine intake.

Chapter 2 examines the effects of these three modes of administration on neuroinflammation and validation of nicotine delivery. Nicotine exposure was confirmed through receptor [³H]Epibatidine nAChR binding assay and serum cotinine measurements. …

Lis1 Depletion In Adult Mouse Projection Neurons Causes Neurodegeneration And Severe Neurological Phenotypes, Anne Ventrone

Theses and Dissertations

Proper LIS1 function is crucial for human brain development, as mutations in LIS1 lead to lissencephaly, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by defective proliferation, differentiation and migration of neural precursors. Our understanding of LIS1's functions after brain development is limited. LIS1 regulates cytoplasmic dynein 1 (dynein), an essential microtubule motor protein in cell division and migration, but also a cellular transport motor. We previously showed that tamoxifen (TX)-induced global knockout of LIS1 using a Cre/Lox system (Act-Lis1iKO) in young adult mice results in severe neurological defects and rapid lethality. This strongly supports LIS1's critical post- developmental role, but the underlying …

A Limb-Speed-Driven Locomotor Control System And Its Ability To Adapt, Emily Marie Herrick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Despite how simple walking may seem, the locomotor control system is structurally and functionally complex. Its hierarchical organization of supraspinal and spinal networks with forward and feedback pathways has many interactions at multiple levels that are dependent on the dynamics of a high-dimensional musculoskeletal system. Having a comprehensive understanding of sensorimotor integration within a healthy locomotor control system is crucial for understanding changes to the system due to age or neurologic disease and developing effective technologies to recover mobility in those populations. In this dissertation, we address persistent gaps in knowledge pertaining to how the nervous system controls locomotion.

In …

Alpha-Synuclein Interaction With Gedunin, Tony Matundura Nyabayo

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other Proteinopathies develop when α-synuclein misfolds and aggregates into toxic amyloids. While existing treatments for PD are primarily focused on managing its symptoms, a viable solution for slowing down the progress of Parkinson’s disease involves targeting the toxic α-synuclein amyloids. Gedunin, a natural inhibitor of heat shock protein 90, has been extensively used to treat malaria. Also, recent research investigations have shed light on its potential beyond malaria therapy, indicating that Gedunin may offer a possible solution for treating a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Using plate-based assays, we examined how Gedunin influences α-synuclein fibrillation and its …

Neuropsychological Assessment Accuracy In Diagnosing Early-Onset Alzheimer’S Disease, Elise Thomas

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD), a progressive neurological condition, is often difficult to diagnose before substantial neuronal damage. Neuropsychological assessments offer a more cost-effective and accessible method for detecting early cognitive decline, yet limited research exists on optimal combinations for EOAD identification. This study analyzed data from 24 clinical studies to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FDA-approved EOAD assessments used in combination. No single combination was found to be superior across all diagnostic metrics. MMSE + MoCA + ADAS-Cog showed the highest sensitivity, MMSE + MoCA + RBANS the highest specificity, MMSE + RBANS the highest AUC value, and MMSE + …

Environmental Pollution And Early-Life Metabolic Programming, Lisa Koshko

Wayne State University Dissertations

Substantial evidence demonstrates that parental pollutant exposures can induce harmful health effects in the offspring, including the predisposition to Type II Diabetes. As rates of Type II Diabetes continue to rise in younger populations, a crucial gap lies in understanding the role of parental influence in the etiology of later-life metabolic disease. Therefore, the central goal of this work was to determine how early life exposure to smoking level benzene, an endocrine-disrupting air pollutant, affects the metabolic health of offspring, and to identify potential developmental mechanisms involved in disease susceptibility. This goal was achieved using two models of early life …

Implications And Pathophysiology Of Neuroinflammation In Pediatric Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury: An Updated Review, Shalin S Shah, Arya J Shetty, David T Johnston, Caroline L Hanan, Brendan T O'Reilly, Max A Skibber, Ahmed T Massoud, Banghe Zhu, Eva M Sevick-Muraca, Jenifer Juranek, Charles S Cox, Manish N Shah

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in children is a profound public health issue with the potential to disrupt cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial development significantly. This review provides an updated examination of the role of neuroinflammation in pediatric TBI, emphasizing its dual impact on injury progression and recovery. Highlighted is the complex interplay of primary and secondary injury mechanisms, including the critical contributions of neuroinflammatory responses mediated by central and peripheral immune cells. Advances in biomarker identification and imaging techniques are discussed, showcasing how tools like diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and positron emission tomography (PET) enhance our understanding of neuroinflammatory processes. The …

Comparative Efficacy Of Hallucinogens In Treating Mood Disorders Through A Meta-Analysis Of Symptom Reduction, Dosage, And Duration, John Marco D.F. Muniz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Hallucinogens including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) (as ayahuasca), have re-emerged as potential rapid-acting treatments for mood disorders. We conducted a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials evaluating their efficacy in depression and anxiety disorders. Methods: A systematic review identified 12 trials (Total ≈ 670) meeting inclusion criteria (randomized, placebo-controlled). Data on Cohen’s d and Hedges’ g effect sizes for depression- and anxiety-related outcomes were extracted. We computed pooled effect sizes (weighted by sample size and inverse variance), performed subgroup analyses by drug, diagnosis, follow-up duration, and outcome measure type, and assessed heterogeneity (I², Q …

Meta-Analysis Of The Effect Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation On Functional Heart Failure Outcomes, Ariana B. Labrada

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Globally, Heart Failure (HF) is a significant cause for concern. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is an emerging therapy for patients with HF. It involves the activation of efferent vagal signals, which result in the release of acetylcholine (ACh). In practice, VNS has obtained relatively mixed results in clinical trials so far. In order to ascertain the extent of the effects VNS has on functional clinical outcomes, this meta-analysis consolidates studies that involve patients with Heart Failure with reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) and Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Outcomes were measured through the change in mean heart rate (HR) …

The Differential Expands: Ataxia From Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration, Dominic Thomas, Md, Amy Dechet

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration is a rare cause of cerebellar ataxia with a poor prognosis for neurologic recovery. The management of symptoms is dependent primarily upon timely diag nosis and treatment of the underlying neoplasm. Herein, we present the diagnostic and treatment course of a patient with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. Case: A 72-year-old woman with a past medical history of left mastectomy for high grade ER/PR negative Her2 positive invasive ductal carcinoma presented with progressively worsening dysarthria and ataxia over two months. A metabolic work up by her primary care physician was unrevealing. Breast MRI did not show recurrence of …

Reelin Regulation Of Striatal Physiology And Cocaine Reward, Kasey Lynn Brida

All ETDs from UAB

Drugs of abuse activate defined neuronal populations in brain reward structures such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which are thought to promote the enduring synaptic, circuit, and behavioral consequences of drug exposure. While the molecular and cellular effects arising from experience with drugs like cocaine are increasingly well understood, the mechanisms that sculpt NAc neuron participation are largely unknown. Here, we leveraged unbiased single-nucleus transcriptional profiling to identify expression of the secreted glycoprotein Reelin (encoded by the Reln gene) as a marker of cocaine-activated neurons within the rat NAc. Multiplexed in situ detection confirmed selective expression of the immediate early …

Development Of A Mediation Model Of Pain Cognition In Adult Patients With Sickle Cell Disease, Daniel M. Sop

Theses and Dissertations

Pain is a hallmark of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic hemoglobinopathy characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia, vaso-occlusion, and organ damage. While acute vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) have been extensively studied, the mechanisms underlying chronic pain and its interplay with brain function remain unclear. This dissertation investigates the relationships between cerebral blood flow (CBF), fluid cognition, and pain sensitivity in adults with SCD, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and validated assessment tools.

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were employed to measure CBF and brain activity, respectively. Pain sensitivity was assessed using the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ), and …

Scopolamine-Induced Modulation Of Serotonin And Dopamine Transporters Activity: Behavioral And Molecular Insights Into Rapid Antidepressant Action, Deepak Karunakaran

Theses and Dissertations

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects over 350 million individuals worldwide and is characterized by profound dysregulation of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) systems that govern mood, reward processing, and motivation. The serotonin transporter (SERT) and dopamine transporter (DAT), both dynamically regulated through phosphorylation, serve as critical determinants of synaptic monoamine signaling. Despite decades of therapeutic development, current antidepressants require 4-6 weeks to achieve efficacy, and approximately one-third to half of patients develop treatment-resistant depression. The emergence of rapid-acting antidepressants like ketamine represents a paradigmatic shift, demonstrating symptom relief within hours; however, ketamine's therapeutic potential remains constrained by abuse liability, dissociative …

A Comparison Of Two Motivational Tasks In Male And Female Rats Under Acute Stress, Stephanie M. Muscott

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Motivation is a complex concept that contributes to or is embedded within many different behaviors. As such, it can be difficult to assess motivation directly, but many researchers have attempted to measure motivation to understand its role in behavior and in diseases associated with a dysregulation of motivation, such as drug addiction or depression. To better understand motivation, behavioral tests frequently use palatable foods to measure motivation as defined by the amount of effort a rat will demonstrate to achieve the reward. Much of research has focused on highly controlled experimental settings, such as lever pressing in an operant box …