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Research Notebook, G. Austin

The Dr. George M. Austin Neurology Research Collection

Book cover inscription:

G. Austin M.D. Research Notebook, Oct. 1 1995-Aug. '96, Brash Aneurysm Research Sources Notebook, P1-20; Paris - P. 121

Constitutive Alzheimer's-Type Tau Epitopes In A Neuritogenic Rat Cns Cell Line, Mary P. Lambert, Shasta Sabo, Chi Zhang, S. Ather Enam, William L. Klein

Section of Neurosurgery

Paired helical filaments (PHFs) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) largely comprise hyperphosphorylated forms of the cytoskeletal protein tau. AD-type tau phosphoepitopes, detected by various monoclonal antibodies, are absent from normal adult neurons, but recent studies have shown that their expression may contribute to neuritogenesis and axon differentiation in the developing nervous system. Therefore, we have examined a brain nerve cell line that is spontaneously neuritogenic for possible expression of AD-type tau epitopes. The neuritogenic rat brain cell line B103 was found to constitutively produce two AD-related epitopes of tau, detected by cellular immunofluorescence studies with the PHF-1 and Alz-50 monoclonal antibodies. …

Identification And Characterization Of Mitochondrial Dna Variants In Alzheimer's Disease, Natasha Singh Hamblet

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects a significant portion of the human population regardless of ethnicity or gender. A mitochondrial hypothesis of AD has been proposed based on a number of studies which establish altered oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and ATP synthesis in AD tissue. ATP demand is most prevalent in the brain; damage to OXPHOS could severely impair brain metabolism, thereby leading to a decline in cognitive function. Four out of five complexes in the OXPHOS pathway are partly encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA); thus, this may be a crucial site of lesions that alter brain …

Persistent Oral Dyskinesias Induced By Long-Term Haloperidol Treatment Is Dissociated From Changes In Neostriatal B(Max) And Mrna Content For Dopamine D(2) Receptors, Nuoyu Huang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Due to the presumed associations of dopamine (DA) receptor supersensitivity phenomena in both long-term neuroleptic-treated tardive dyskinetic rats and neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (n6-OHDA)-lesioned rats, we studied the influence of haloperidol on n6-OHDA-lesioned rats. At 3 days after birth rats received 6-OHDA-HBr (200 $\mu$g, bilateral intracerebroventricularly; desipramine pretreatment, 20 mg/kg, 1h) or vehicle. Two months later haloperidol (1.5/kg/day $\times$ 2 days/week for 4 weeks, then 1.5 mg/kg/day, every day for 10 months) was added to the drinking water. Spontaneous oral activity of intact and n6-OHDA-lesioned rats receiving haloperidol was reached and maintained at significantly higher levels after 15 weeks of haloperidol treatment. …

Cerebral Vascular Accidents And Therapeutic Treatments, Allison L. Hartman

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

A cerebral vascular accident (CVA) is commonly referred to as a stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the number one cause of serious disability in the United States. Approximately 550,000 people suffer a stroke each year; 150,000 of these result in death. Each stroke is unique. After a stroke, some victims will suffer severe deficits and/or permanent disability for the remainder of their lives. Yet other victims may suffer only mild, temporary deficits and may recover completely. Currently over three million Americans are living with the effects of stroke . Most of these individuals have been …

Localisation Of The Gene For A Novel Form Of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease In An Isolated Population, Kaite Honeyman

Theses : Honours

Localising the gene for a previously undescribed autosomal recessive form of CMT involved the use of a relatively new approach to rapid genome screening based on the identification of segments which are inherited identical by descent (IBD) from common founding ancestors. It is most feasible for populations which have been founded relatively recently (say less than 25 generations) and which have remained relatively isolated either geographically or culturally. The method is not suitable for highly inbred populations, that is with first and second cousin matings, as many segments will be inherited by chance. It appears to be a suitable screening …

An Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dna In Rett Syndrome And Other Neurodegenerative Disorders, Catherine Erickson Burgess

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from mutations on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is being recognized in a growing spectrum of diseases. These diseases, resulting from single base mutations, large deletions, or insertions, have been largely neuromuscular in origin. However, as an understanding of the effects of mtDNA mutations progresses, attention is now focusing on neurodegenerative diseases. Rett Syndrome (RS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease with predominantly female cases, demonstrates morphologic mitochondrial changes, mitochondrial enzyme deficiencies and maternal inheritance (characteristic of mtDNA diseases). No investigation of mtDNA involvement has been previously conducted and, to date, no biological marker exists for this disorder.

Our preliminary studies …

Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor And Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor I Are Implicated In The Growth Of Human Astrocytomas., R S Morrison, F Yamaguchi, H Saya, J M Bruner, Alan M. Yahanda Md, Facs, L A Donehower, M Berger

PCI Publications and Projects

Malignant astrocytomas are highly invasive, vascular neoplasms that comprise the majority of nervous system tumors in humans. A strong association has previously been made between malignancy in human astrocytic tumors and increased expression of certain fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family members, including basic and acidic FGF. The influence of endogenous basic FGF on glioblastoma cell growth in vitro was evaluated using basic FGF-specific antisense oligonucleotides. These studies indicated that human glioblastoma cell growth in vitro, can be inhibited by suppressing basic FGF expression. Human astrocytomas also exhibited changes in FGF receptor (FGFR) expression during the course of their progression from …

Co-Sensitization Of Dopamine And Serotonin Receptors Occurs In The Absence Of A Change In The Dopamine D1 Receptor Complex After A Neonatal 6-Ohda Lesion, Li Gong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To test whether SKF 38393 could ontogenetically sensitize dopamine (DA) D$\sb1$ receptors and whether this sensitization would be associated with biochemical changes, intact and neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats (200 $\mu$g i.c.v.) were treated daily from birth with SKF 38393 (3.0 mg/kg i.p. x 28 days) or its vehicle. In DA D$\sb1$ neonatally sensitized 6-OHDA rats, enhanced locomotor responses were observed with the first SKF 38393 challenge dose (3.0 mg/kg i.p.) at 6 weeks. This response increased further with weekly SKF 38393 treatments. Enhanced stereotyped behaviors were seen in both lesioned and sensitized rats at 8 weeks. There was no change …

Signal Processing With Neural Networks, Pero Smrzlic

Masters Theses

In this study, we introduce the Adaptive Back Propagation (ABP) learning algorithm, computationally superior to the standard Back Propagation. The ABP is based on the new activation function, with its corresponding adaptive learning parameter. By using the combination of computer simulations and analysis in the domain of activation function, the Method of One Hidden layer was developed for the effective utilization of units in one-hidden layer networks. A parallel version of the ABP was designed and implemented on a nCUBE-2 supercomputer with 128 processors.

The simulation results suggested a strong correlation between frequency of signals and the role of hidden …

Descriptive Enlargement Of Intracranial Aneurysms To A Critical Thickness For Rupture, G. Austin, X. Gong, Z. Suo

The Dr. George M. Austin Neurology Research Collection

''lntracranial Aneurysm: A model of expansion to critical thinning," Poster Presentation Annual Meeting of Biophysical Society, Wash., D.C., 1993, 9 p.

Most intracranial aneurysms (IA) are thinner at the apex; and 84% rupture at the apex. (Weir, 1987, Crompton, 1966). Minimum thickness of an unruptured aneurysm is reported 20 microns (Suzuki, et al 1980). We have developed a computer model of aneurysm enlargement starting from a vascular wall using the membrane elasticity equations of Green and Adkins, 1960 and Bogen & McMahon, 1978, and a computer solution with a new Fortran program by X. Gong. The relatively homogeneous wall (Austin, …

Persistent Emotional Disorder In Children With Neurological Soft Signs, Daniel Pine, David Shaffer, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

Provides clinical details in the form of 11 case vignettes from a prospective epidemiological study that found the combination of childhood 'soft' signs and anxious behavior to be a strong risk factor for adolescent emotional disorders. The original study conducted a neuropsychiatric assessment of 180 African-American adolescents (aged 16–18 yrs) who had been followed through childhood. The at-risk Ss exhibited a persistent and specific pattern of both motor abnormalities and anxiety, obsessional compulsive, or depressive symptoms over time. The form of at-risk Ss' neurological and psychiatric abnormalities is consistent with a link between motor system abnormalities and …

Cloning And Expression Of A Novel Na(+)-Dependent Neutral Amino Acid Transporter Structurally Related To Mammalian Na+/Glutamate Cotransporters, Saad Shafqat, Balaji Tamarappoo, Michael S Kilberg, Ram S Puranam, James O. Mcnamara, Ana Guadaño -Ferraz, R.T. Fremeau

Section of Neurology

A cDNA has been isolated from human hippocampus that appears to encode a novel Na(+)-dependent, Cl(-)-independent, neutral amino acid transporter. The putative protein, designated SATT, is 529 amino acids long and exhibits significant amino acid sequence identity (39-44%) with mammalian L-glutamate transporters. Expression of SATT cDNA in HeLa cells induced stereospecific uptake of L-serine, L-alanine, and L-threonine that was not inhibited by excess (3 mM) 2-(methylamino)-isobutyric acid, a specific substrate for the System A amino acid transporter. SATT expression in HeLa cells did not induce the transport of radiolabeled L-cysteine, L-glutamate, or related dicarboxylates. Northern blot hybridization revealed high levels …

Molecular Characterization Of Neurotransmitter Transporters, Saad Shafqat, M Velaz- Faircloth, A Guadaño- -Ferraz, R T Fremeau

Section of Neurology

No abstract provided.

Identification And Characterization Of Possible Multiple Binding Sites For ((3)H)8-Oh-Dpat In The Hippocampus, Dawna Lea Evans

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Trimethyltin On The Cholinergic System Of The Rat Hippocampus, Richard L. Cannon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trimethyltin (TMT) is a neurotoxin occurring in the environment. Exposure to (TMT) is known to destroy specific neuronal components of the hippocampus in the rat and to cause clinical symptoms in exposed humans, including mnemonic deficits, that indicate hippocampal involvement. In addition to hippocampal cell loss TMT causes significant increases in cholinergic markers such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) stain density and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the hippocampus of rats. However, despite these observations the effect of TMT on hippocampal cholinergic system has not been investigated in detail. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate more fully the consequences …

Fixed-Ratio Size As A Determinant Of The Development Of Tolerance To Morphine, Mark J. Nickel

Masters Theses

The acute and chronic effects of morphine were examined in pigeons exposed to a multiple schedule with fixed ratio 5, 25, and 125 components. Acute exposure to morphine (0.56-10.0 mg/kg) resulted in rate reductions under each component when the dose was 1 mg/kg or higher. With chronic exposure to 5.6 mg/kg, tolerance to the rate-reducing effects of morphine was evident under each fixed ratio component. The development of tolerance was determined to some extent by fixed-ratio size, a result similar to earlier findings with cocaine.

Prognostic Factors In Ganglionic And Thalamic Haemorrhages: A Clinical And Radiological Study., Aziz Sonawalla, Z Abbas, Mohammed Ataullah Khan

Department of Medicine

Clinical and radiological features of 43 patients admitted for ganglionic (21) and thalamic (22) haemorrhages were studied to ascertain the factors that would determine prognosis in the acute stage of the illness. Nineteen patients died, 16 of them in the first week. The adverse clinical factors were an altered state of consciousness, decorticate/decerebrate posturing, ataxic respiration, abnormalities of gaze and presence of bilateral Babinski's sign. Adverse radiological factors were the presence of thalamic haemorrhage of 3 cm or more, intraventricular spread of the haemorrhage and midline shift of 0.5 cm of more. The significance of these findings is discussed.

The Role Of Gaba In Reproductive Neuroendocrine Systems, Robert Carter Mcree

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Local gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) neurons in the hypothalamus can modulate the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) pulse generating system.

Two animal models (intact and ovariectomized rats) were used to determine the nature of modulation of LHRH release by GABA. The experiment determined the release of LHRH, serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) during two hormonal states with each model. In the intact rat the proestrus and estrus states were examined, and in the ovariectomized rat in-vitro release was determined with (OVX₂) and without (OVX) estradiol treatment.

In-vivo experiments studied the effect of stimulation of GABA receptors …

Transplantation Of The Mammalian Pineal Gland: Studies Of Survival, Revascularization, Reinnervation And Recovery Of Function, Wutian Wu

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

The survival, revascularization, reinnervation, and recovery of function of transplanted newborn rat pineal glands were studied following grafting into four different locations in pinealectomized rats. These locations were the third cerebral ventricle, in situ (where the pineal gland is normally located), the renal capsule, and the anterior chamber of the eye.

Pinealocytes in the grafts maintained high metabolic activity as evidenced by the presence of euchromatic nuclei, prominent nucleoli, infolded nuclear envelopes, numerous mitochondria and Golgi apparati, and relatively abundant endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes. In addition, morphological correlates of two putative secretory processes were observed in the grafts. The first …

The Undrained Brain: The Other Side Of The Foreign Medical Graduate Resident Issue, C M. Smythe

Section of Neurology

No abstract provided.

Save A Life- Diagnose Subarachnoid Haemorrhage!, Rashid Jooma, Iqtidar H. Bhatti

Section of Neurosurgery

No abstract provided.

Morphological And Physiological Examination Of A Demyelinating And Remyelinating Lesion, Paul Anson Felts

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Multiple sclerosis causes demyelination of central nerve fibers, and it is this pathology which results in most of the symptoms of the disease. The repair of the fibers by remyelination has been advanced as a potential symptomatic therapy, but at present the conduction properties of remyelinated central fibers are not well understood. In this study the conduction properties of Schwannian or oligodendrocyte remyelinated central nerve fibers have been determined. In addition, the status of the blood-brain barrier has been examined in lesions characterized by Schwann cell remyelination. These lesions chronically lack astrocytes, a cell believed to be involved in the …

Pms And Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome, Mary Guinan

School of Public Health Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Human Fetal Tissue: Scientific Uses And Ethical Concerns, Carol A. Tauer Ph.D.

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Human fetal tissue has been used in research for decades, but recent attempts to implant fetal neural tissue as therapy for Parkinson's disease have stimulated discussion of ethical and policy issues. In late 1989 a moratorium on federal support of fetal tissue transplantation research was indefinitely extended, based on the connection between this research and elective abortion. Four abortion-related objections to the use of fetal tissue can be identified: 1. The procedures of abortion and tissue procurement are linked in practice; 2. One who uses fetal tissue is complicit with the abortions which provided the tissue; 3. The prospect of …

Neuropsychological And Socioemotional Subtypes Of Childhood Externalizing Disorders: Cluster And Validation Analyses, Grant Jackson Butterbaugh

Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory and confirmatory contrasted-group classification study was to determine if specifically predicted (Hypothesis 1) and externally valid (Hypotheses 3 and 4) subtypes of childhood externalizing disorders could be identified, using previously obtained neuropsychological (NP), socio-emotional (SE), and historical variables. Cross-classification validity was evaluated to determine if subjects NP and SE subtype memberships could be predicted using either their SE and NP subtype memberships or their SE and NP variable scores, respectively (Hypothesis 2). Subjects (n = 117) were 6-to-14-year-old boys and girls with normal intelligence, elevated scores on the Delinquency and/or Hyperactivity scales of the Personality …

Dexamethasone And The Serious Head Injury, Rashid Jooma

Section of Neurosurgery

No abstract provided.

Early Soft Signs And Later Psychopathology, David Shaffer, Cornelius Stokman, Patricia A. O'Connor, Stephen Shafer, Joseph E. Barmack, Suzanne Hess, D. Spalten, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

At age 17 two motor signs, mirror movements and dysdiadochokinesis, were found in more than half the subjects known to have had the respective signs at age 7. These rates were significantly higher than rates found within the group of subjects who were sign free at age 7.

Ten-Year Consistency In Neurological Test Performance Of Children Without Focal Neurological Deficit, Stephen Q. Shafer, Cornelius Stokman, David Shaffer, Stephen K-C Ng, Patricia A. O'Connor, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

To assess 'soft-sign' persistence and its correlates outside a referred sample, 159 members of a local birth cohort of the United National Collaborative Perinatal Project were traced and their performance on six neurological test scales was measured at age 17 by examiners blind to their status at age seven. A comparison group was also formed, who had been 'sign-free' at age seven. On four of the six tests (dysdiadochokinesis, mirror movements, dysgraphesthesia and motor slowness) index boys did significantly worse than the comparison boys; by contrast, index girls scored significantly worse than comparisons only on motor slowness.

Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm: A Computer Model, G. Austin, R. Gaskell

The Dr. George M. Austin Neurology Research Collection

Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm: A Computer Model, Program Abstract, 8th Int. Congress of Neurological Surgery - Toronto, Canada, July 7-11, 1985