The Role Of Dopamine In Decision Making Processes In Drosophila Melanogaster,
2020
University of San Diego
The Role Of Dopamine In Decision Making Processes In Drosophila Melanogaster, Michelle C. Bowers
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Understanding the neural processes that mediate decision making is a relatively new field of investigation in the scientific community. With the ultimate goal of understanding how humans decide between one path and another, simpler models such as Drosophila Melanogaster, the common fruit fly, are often utilized as a way of determining the neural circuits involved in these decision-making processes. One of the most important decisions flies make is the decision of where to lay their eggs (oviposit). Choosing the proper substrate upon which to lay eggs is a crucial decision that can ultimately impact their fecundity. This paper investigates the …
Anxiety And How To Control It: The Functional Role Of The Bed Nucleus Of The Stria Terminalis.,
2020
University of Louisville
Anxiety And How To Control It: The Functional Role Of The Bed Nucleus Of The Stria Terminalis., Lindsay K. Knight
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Anxiety disorders afflict up to one third of the population. Research to date has primarily focused on the amygdala, however, new perspectives suggest that a tiny basal forebrain region known as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) may hold key insights into understanding and treating anxiety disorders. Therefore, my first aim was to empirically investigate the importance and influence of the BNST in anxiety processing. Using fearful faces and human screams as aversive stimuli, two threat conditions were created: one in which threats were certain and predictable (fear) and another in which threats were uncertain and unpredictable (anxiety). …
Geometric Visual Illusion Effects On Visual Perception And Visuomotor Control: Emphasis On The Vertical-Horizontal Illusion,
2020
Louisiana State University
Geometric Visual Illusion Effects On Visual Perception And Visuomotor Control: Emphasis On The Vertical-Horizontal Illusion, Shijun Yan
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The focus of this dissertation was to explore the effects of potential vertical-horizontal (V-H) illusory influences on perceptuomotor control. As part of this focus, we examined the potential use of separate cortical visual streams: the ventral visual stream for perception and the dorsal visual stream for action. Three studies were conducted to determine the effects of the V-H illusion influences on length estimations using upper limb point-to-point movements and lower limb stepping movements, involving various illusory configurations, movement directions, gaze directions. After a short introduction (Chapter 1) and a more detailed review of existing literature (Chapter 2), we present manuscripts …
Marrying Science And Experience: An Exploration Of How Multilinguals Interact With And Between Languages And Cultures,
2020
SIT Graduate Institute
Marrying Science And Experience: An Exploration Of How Multilinguals Interact With And Between Languages And Cultures, Allie Heeg Polzin
MA TESOL Collection
This paper will begin exploring bi- and multilingualism at an individual level. The author will explore previous research written on how the brain processes several languages, how languages might affect individuals emotionally, and how one switches between languages as well as the effects of this, if any. Beyond this, the experience of navigating languages between discourse communities and balancing two or more cultures will be considered. As the title suggests, the science of multilingualism will be married with the diverse individual experience while considering both intrapersonal and interpersonal relations. The author will look at her own experience as well as …
Serum-Based Biomarkers And Magnetic Resonance Imaging Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Collegiate Athletes Post Return-To-Play,
2020
Northern Michigan University
Serum-Based Biomarkers And Magnetic Resonance Imaging Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Collegiate Athletes Post Return-To-Play, Taylor R. Susa
All NMU Master's Theses
Recently there has been an increase in the use of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), to measure the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Proteins such as BDNF, S100B, UCH-L1, and Tau have been found to have altered levels in blood serum after TBI. However, there is limited knowledge about the relationship between serum-based and MRI-based biomarkers in concussed athletes post return-to-play. This study aimed to bridge this gap by collecting serum samples from 42 participants across two groups. The first group (n = 21) consisted of recently cleared to return-to-play collegiate athletes after experiencing a sports-related concussion. The second group …
The Effect Of Physical Activity And S-Equol On Neurogenesis In The Hiv-1 Transgenic Rat,
2020
University of South Carolina - Columbia
The Effect Of Physical Activity And S-Equol On Neurogenesis In The Hiv-1 Transgenic Rat, Jeremy M. Lapointe
Senior Theses
The aim of this thesis is to investigate the effect of physical activity and the administration of s-equol on rates of neurogenesis in HIV-1 transgenic rats. HIV-1 is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to the wide range of cognitive impairment described as HAND. Neurogenesis is a newly discovered process that involves the birth of new neurons during our adult life within the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Therefore, inducing neurogenesis may be a proper therapeutic that can mitigate some of the cognitive destruction seen as a result of HIV-1 infection. Physical activity has shown to increase the rate of neurogenesis …
Pornography: Adolescent Brain Development & Addiction,
2020
Dublin City Schools
Pornography: Adolescent Brain Development & Addiction, William K. Canady
National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference
This presentation will explain the historical development of pornography. It will highlight three segments: 1- Porn’s impact on brain development of reward pathways, ultimately increasing the appetite for more porn. 2- Porn can be a false substitute for real intimacy, resulting in decreased sexual satisfaction with a real person and increased verbal and physical aggression. 3- Porn promotes sex trafficking, promotes multiple sex partners and reduced STD prevention.
Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sensorimotor Synchronization With Different Forms Of Rhythms,
2020
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sensorimotor Synchronization With Different Forms Of Rhythms, Ryan Meidinger
UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair
Neural activity exhibits non-periodic rhythm [2] but it is unknown if neural activity synchronizes with non-periodic rhythms, as it does with periodic rhythms [1]. The purpose of this research is to determine the neural mechanisms present leading to synchronized finger tapping to varying rhythms. Twenty healthy young adults tapped their finger on a pressure sensitive pad, listened to metronomes, and wore a electroencephalogram (EEG) during synchronized finger tapping tasks (periodic, fractal, and random). Inter-tap intervals (ITIs), inter-beat intervals (IBIs), and frequency tags were used as the behavioral and cortical synchronization with the metronome. One-way ANOVAs were used to determine differences …
Non-Amyloid Approaches To Disease Modification For Alzheimer’S Disease: An Eu/Us Ctad Task Force Report,
2020
McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging
Non-Amyloid Approaches To Disease Modification For Alzheimer’S Disease: An Eu/Us Ctad Task Force Report, Serge Gauthier, P. S. Aisen, J. Cummings, M. J. Detke, F. M. Longo, R. Raman, M. Sabbagh, L. Schneider, R. Tanzi, P. Tariot, M. Weiner, J. Touchon, B. Vellas
School of Medicine Faculty Research
© 2020, The Author(s). While amyloid-targeting therapies continue to predominate in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) drug development pipeline, there is increasing recognition that to effectively treat the disease it may be necessary to target other mechanisms and pathways as well. In December 2019, The EU/US CTAD Task Force discussed these alternative approaches to disease modification in AD, focusing on tau-targeting therapies, neurotrophin receptor modulation, anti-microbial strategies, and the innate immune response; as well as vascular approaches, aging, and non-pharmacological approaches such as lifestyle intervention strategies, photobiomodulation and neurostimulation. The Task Force proposed a general strategy to accelerate the development of …
Mapping The Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Visual Percepts Elicited By A Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Technique,
2020
CUNY Graduate Center
Mapping The Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Visual Percepts Elicited By A Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Technique, Kelly Webster
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
While many of us rely on vision to interact with and experience the world, for people with damage or disease to the eye or visual cortex, experience through this modality is extremely limited. Brain and retinal stimulation devices show exciting promise for restoring vision, but little is understood about where and when vision percepts can be induced through stimulation. Using a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we characterized the spatial and temporal dynamics of perception induced through brain stimulation. In the first set of experiments, we explore the importance of higher visual and non-visual areas vs. …
Blocking Visual Awareness With Continuous Flash Suppression Prevents Cognitive Control,
2020
CUNY Graduate Center
Blocking Visual Awareness With Continuous Flash Suppression Prevents Cognitive Control, Jonathan Lovoi
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Cognitive control refers to a set of functions that allow for the execution of goal-directed behavior while remaining flexible to changes in task demands. Findings addressing whether or not awareness is necessary to elicit cognitive control are inconsistent, possibly stemming from the short stimulus presentation times employed in most masking paradigms, which could prevent sufficient processing time in some cases or provide a gist of the masked stimulus in other cases. The present study examined the necessity of awareness in cognitive control using Continuous Flash Suppression (CFS) to suppress stimulus awareness for periods of time longer than possible with other …
New Approaches To Symptomatic Treatments For Alzheimer’S Disease,
2020
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
New Approaches To Symptomatic Treatments For Alzheimer’S Disease, Jeffrey Cummings
School of Medicine Faculty Research
Background: Successful development of agents that improve cognition and behavior in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is critical to improving the lives of patients manifesting the symptoms of this progressive disorder. Discussion: There have been no recent approvals of cognitive enhancing agents for AD. There are currently 6 cognitive enhancers in Phase 2 trials and 4 in phase 3. They represent a variety of novel mechanisms. There has been progress in developing new treatments for neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD with advances in treatment of insomnia, psychosis, apathy, and agitation in AD. There are currently 4 AD-related psychotropic agents in Phase 2 trials …
Open Peer Commentary To “Failure To Demonstrate Efficacy Of Aducanumab: An Analysis Of The Emrge And Engage Trials As Reported By Biogen December 2019”,
2020
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
Open Peer Commentary To “Failure To Demonstrate Efficacy Of Aducanumab: An Analysis Of The Emrge And Engage Trials As Reported By Biogen December 2019”, Marwan Noel Sabbagh, Jeffrey Cummings
School of Medicine Faculty Research
No abstract provided.
Covid-19, Evolution, Brains And Psychology,
2020
Open University, UK
Covid-19, Evolution, Brains And Psychology, Frederick Toates
Animal Sentience
Attention needs to be directed to the processes that control behavior in humans and the adaptive problems that they solved in our early evolutionary environment. The evolutionary mismatch between the current environment and the human brain can yield important insights into the problems that beset us in the context of environmental degradation and nonhuman animal welfare.
Affective Sentience And Moral Protection,
2020
Boston University
Affective Sentience And Moral Protection, Russell Powell, Irina Mikhalevich
Animal Sentience
We have structured our response according to five questions arising from the commentaries: (i) What is sentience? (ii) Is sentience a necessary or sufficient condition for moral standing? (iii) What methods should guide comparative cognitive research in general, and specifically in studying invertebrates? (iv) How should we balance scientific uncertainty and moral risk? (v) What practical strategies can help reduce biases and morally dismissive attitudes toward invertebrates?
Insect Sentience And The Rise Of A New Inclusive Ethics,
2020
University of Florence
Insect Sentience And The Rise Of A New Inclusive Ethics, David Baracchi, Luigi Baciadonna
Animal Sentience
Welfare protections for vertebrates are grounded in the belief that vertebrates are sentient and capable of feeling whereas invertebrates are not. We agree with Mikhalevich & Powell that the exclusion of small-brained invertebrates from bioethics is not warranted by the current state of the scientific evidence. The choice to promote protection for certain invertebrates should be based on the Animal Sentience Precautionary Principle (ASPP). This principle should not prevent us from conducting experimental research with non-human animals to advance knowledge. However, we believe that it is important to outline practical guidelines to manage the wellbeing of invertebrates, while accumulating further …
Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development Pipeline: 2020,
2020
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Alzheimer's Disease Drug Development Pipeline: 2020, Jeffrey Cummings, Garam Lee, Aaron Ritter, Marwan Sabbagh, Kate Zhong
School of Medicine Faculty Research
© 2020 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Alzheimer's Association. Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing public health concern affecting millions of patients worldwide and costing billions of dollars annually. We review the pipeline of drugs and biologics in clinical trials for the treatment of AD. We use the Common Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Research Ontology (CADRO) to classify treatment targets and mechanisms of action. We review our annual pipeline reports for the past 5 years to provide longitudinal insight into clinical trials and drug development for …
Barrels Xxxii Meeting Report: Whiskers In The Windy City,
2020
CUNY Queens College
Barrels Xxxii Meeting Report: Whiskers In The Windy City, Giuseppe Cataldo, Chia-Chien Chen, Alicia C. Barrientos, Joshua C. Brumberg
Publications and Research
The 32nd Annual Barrels meeting was hosted at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois on October 17th and 18th, 2019. The annual meeting brings together researchers who utilize the rodent whisker-to-barrel system as a means to understand cortical function and development. This year’s meeting focused on social behaviors, development and cerebellar functions within the barrel system and beyond.
Image And Video-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Detection Via Deep Learning,
2020
West Virginia University
Image And Video-Based Autism Spectrum Disorder Detection Via Deep Learning, Mindi Ruan
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show atypical attention to social stimuli and aberrant gaze when viewing images of the physical world. However, it is unknown how they perceive the world from a first-person perspective. In this study, we used machine learning to classify photos taken in three different categories (people, indoors, and outdoors) as either having been taken by individuals with ASD or by peers without ASD. Our classifier effectively discriminated photos from all three categories but was particularly successful at classifying photos of people with >80% accuracy. Importantly, the visualization of our model revealed critical features that led …
The Interplay Of Progestins, Matrix Metalloproteinases, And The Aging Brain,
2020
West Virginia University
The Interplay Of Progestins, Matrix Metalloproteinases, And The Aging Brain, Keyana Nicole Porter
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Progestins are synthetic hormones that are designed to mimic the biological actions of progesterone. They, however, possess other pharmacological actions and properties, in addition to their progestational activities. Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA) is a progestin used globally in the hormonal contraceptive, Depo Provera®, by women in their reproductive prime and is a major compound found in hormone therapy (HT) formulations used by menopausal women. MPA is used by approximately 1 in 5 adolescents and adult women in the United States who are sexually active. Globally, nearly 48 million women utilize injectable contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, with most users utilizing MPA as …
