Political Uncertainty Moderates Neural Evaluation Of Incongruent Policy Positions,
2021
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Political Uncertainty Moderates Neural Evaluation Of Incongruent Policy Positions, Ingrid J. Haas, Melissa N. Baker, Frank J. Gonzalez
Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications
Uncertainty has been shown to impact political evaluation, yet the exact mechanisms by which uncertainty affects the minds of citizens remain unclear. This experiment examines the neural underpinnings of uncertainty in political evaluation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During fMRI, participants completed an experimental task where they evaluated policy positions attributed to hypothetical political candidates. Policy positions were either congruent or incongruent with candidates’ political party affiliation and presented with varying levels of certainty.Neural activitywas modelled as a function of uncertainty and incongruence. Analyses suggest that neural activity in brain regions previously implicated in affective and evaluative processing (anterior …
The Relationship Between Stress And Quality Of Life In People With Multiple Sclerosis: The Mediating Role Of Resilience,
2021
University of Kentucky
The Relationship Between Stress And Quality Of Life In People With Multiple Sclerosis: The Mediating Role Of Resilience, Byung Jin Kim
Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system encompassing the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve, in which the patient’s immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues. Due to the unpredictable characteristics of the disease, MS can lead to an unusually high level of stress and may negatively impact the individual’s QoL. Resilience is a psychological structure that shows positive coping and adaptive ability from difficult or stressful situations. Resilience also indicates a buffering effect on the stressors of individuals with disabilities and serves to protect psychological health and function from disability. The purpose of this …
Mapping Specific Mental Content During Musical Imagery,
2021
Montreal Neurological Institute
Mapping Specific Mental Content During Musical Imagery, Mor Regev, Andrea R. Halpern, Adrian Owen, Aniruddh Patel, Robert J. Zatorre
Faculty Journal Articles
Humans can mentally represent auditory information without an external stimulus, but the specificity of these internal representations remains unclear. Here, we asked how similar the temporally unfolding neural representations of imagined music are compared to those during the original perceived experience. We also tested whether rhythmic motion can influence the neural representation of music during imagery as during perception. Participants first memorized six 1-min-long instrumental musical pieces with high accuracy. Functional MRI data were collected during: 1) silent imagery of melodies to the beat of a visual metronome; 2) same but while tapping to the beat; and 3) passive listening. …
Examining Human Apoe Genotype And Sex As Modulators Of Respiratory Plasticity In The Presence And Absence Of Spinal Cord Injury,
2021
University of Kentucky
Examining Human Apoe Genotype And Sex As Modulators Of Respiratory Plasticity In The Presence And Absence Of Spinal Cord Injury, Lydia Ella Strattan
Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience
There are over 17,000 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) every year in the Unites States alone. Almost 60% of these injuries occur at the cervical level, potentially leading to loss of function in a variety of sensory and motor systems including upper and lower limbs, respiratory, and autonomics. In addition to the physical and emotional costs, individuals who experience these higher level injuries also face a massive financial burden, incurring over $1 million in expenses during the first year after injury in addition to substantial yearly costs for the rest of their lifetime. A myriad of therapeutic approaches targeting plasticity …
Photoreceptor Phosphodiesterase (Pde6): Structure, Regulatory Mechanisms, And Implications For Treatment Of Retinal Diseases,
2021
University of New Hampshire, Durham
Photoreceptor Phosphodiesterase (Pde6): Structure, Regulatory Mechanisms, And Implications For Treatment Of Retinal Diseases, Rick H. Cote, Richa Gupta, Michael J. Irwin, Xin Wang
Faculty Publications
The photoreceptor phosphodiesterase (PDE6) is a member of large family of Class I phosphodiesterases responsible for hydrolyzing the second messengers cAMP and cGMP. PDE6 consists of two catalytic subunits and two inhibitory subunits that form a tetrameric protein. PDE6 is a peripheral membrane protein that is localized to the signaling-transducing compartment of rod and cone photoreceptors. As the central effector enzyme of the G-protein coupled visual transduction pathway, activation of PDE6 catalysis causes in a rapid decrease in cGMP levels that results in closure of cGMP-gated ion channels in the photoreceptor plasma membrane. Because of its importance in the phototransduction …
Opioid Use Disorder: The Timeline For Medication Assisted Therapy,
2021
Arcadia University
Opioid Use Disorder: The Timeline For Medication Assisted Therapy, Alexander Cristofori
Capstone Showcase
Opioid Use Disorder is patterns of opioid use leading to withdrawal, giving up important life events in order to use opioids, and excessive time spent using opioids, to name a few diagnostic criteria. The clinical progression of the disorder involves periods of acute exacerbation and remission that are cyclic in nature. Treatment is most effective when it includes both pharmacological and psychosocial modalities, referred to as medication assisted therapy (MAT). Three drugs used commonly in MAT-based treatment for OUD from oldest to newest include Methadone, Buprenorphine-naloxone, and Naltrexone. Treatment program models that prioritize total abstinence from the addictive substance attached …
How The Amino Acid L-Serine Provides Neuroprotection Against L-Bmaa Induced Alzheimer’S Disease,
2021
Arcadia University
How The Amino Acid L-Serine Provides Neuroprotection Against L-Bmaa Induced Alzheimer’S Disease, Joseph Cimino
Capstone Showcase
More than 6 million people in America are living with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and there are currently no cures or treatments. It is time to move on from the ꞵ-amyloid hypothesis and broaden AD research. New research is suggesting that dietary exposure to a cyanobacterial toxin known as L-BMAA is causing neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s Disease. L-BMAA is misincorporated during protein folding, in place of the proper amino acid, L-Serine. It has been shown that the naturally occurring amino acid, L-Serine, can provide neuroprotection against L-BMAA, but the mechanism by which L-Serine infers …
Developmental Influences On The Initial Subjective Rewarding Effects Of Etoh,
2021
Bucknell University
Developmental Influences On The Initial Subjective Rewarding Effects Of Etoh, Madison Waldron
Master’s Theses
The present studies were aimed to better understand developmental contributions to the risk for disordered drinking, and facilitate the long-term goal of developing effective interventions for individuals at high risk for alcohol use disorders. Experiment 1 assessed the effect of adolescent pre-exposure to ethanol on adult place preference, as well as, sex- and beta-endorphin(bE)-related contributions. Adolescent C57BL/6J and bE deficient mice were injected with 1.5g/kg of ethanol or saline and put back into their home cages. At the time of adulthood, we employed a single-exposure conditioned place preference paradigm (SE-CPP) to investigate the impact of preexposure on the initial subjective …
Protocadherin-19 Expression And Function In Vertebrate Brain Review,
2021
The University of Akron
Protocadherin-19 Expression And Function In Vertebrate Brain Review, Makana Mcguire
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
For this project, a systematic review will be conducted on published studies on protocadherin-19 expression and function in vertebrate central nervous system development in the last 10 years. Protocadherin-19 (pcdh19) is a member of the cadherin superfamily. Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecules show to play important roles in vertebrate tissue development including the formation of the central nervous system. Understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the function of pcdh19 will help aid in understanding disease(s) caused by malfunction of this molecule, and lead to potential strategies for treatment. Data will be collected via online search of databases. The project …
Identifying Molecular Pathways Underlying Noise-Induced Tinnitus,
2021
The University of Akron
Identifying Molecular Pathways Underlying Noise-Induced Tinnitus, Mckenzie Rice
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Tinnitus is a serious neurological condition effecting 10-15% of adults, and can lead to other symptoms such as difficulty concentrating and sleeping, anxiety, and depression. Currently there are no FDA approved drugs to prevent or treat tinnitus, mainly due to a lack of understanding of its cellular and molecular pathways. T- and L- type calcium channels have been implicated in the modulation of tinnitus, as well as the dysfunction of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. This study used the sound-based avoidance detection (SBAD) method in order to detect tinnitus and determine whether pharmacological treatments had an effect in mediating tinnitus. T-type …
Characterizing Galectin And Lysosomal Rupture's Role In Spreading Parkinson Disease Pathology,
2021
Loyola University Chicago
Characterizing Galectin And Lysosomal Rupture's Role In Spreading Parkinson Disease Pathology, Kevin Burbidge
Dissertations
The misfolding and subsequent accumulation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is central to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Several lines of evidence suggest pathological α-syn spread cell-to-cell via a "prion-like" mechanism. Furthermore, this pathological α-syn is capable of "seeding" further misfolding of non-pathological α-syn, converting them to the pathological form. While a vast body of both genetic and experimental evidence indicates that α-syn is critical to PD development, how α-syn induces progressive neuronal dysfunction and cell death remains unclear.Autophagy, conventional for macroautophagy, is the primary degradation pathway for α-syn aggregates. Autophagy also influences the unconventional secretion of both pathological and non-pathological …
Myelin, Cpla2, And Azithromycin: Modulation Of Macrophage Activation In Spinal Cord Injury Inflammation,
2021
University of Kentucky
Myelin, Cpla2, And Azithromycin: Modulation Of Macrophage Activation In Spinal Cord Injury Inflammation, Timothy J. Kopper
Theses and Dissertations--Physiology
Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces a chronic inflammatory state primarily mediated by macrophages consisting of resident microglia and infiltrating monocytes. These chronically activated SCI macrophages adopt a pro-inflammatory, pathological state that continues to cause additional damage after the initial injury and inhibits recovery. While the roles of macrophages in SCI pathophysiology are well documented, the factors contributing to this maladaptive response are poorly understood. Here, we identify the detrimental effects of myelin debris on macrophage physiology and demonstrate a novel, activation state-dependent role for cytosolic phospholipase-A2 (cPLA2) in myelin- mediated potentiation of pro-inflammatory macrophage activation. Macrophage- mediated inflammatory …
Subjective Value Of Previous Item Is Encoded During Valuation In Event-Related Potentials,
2021
Claremont Colleges
Subjective Value Of Previous Item Is Encoded During Valuation In Event-Related Potentials, Madeline Valdez
CMC Senior Theses
Research in economics and neuroscience has shown that an item’s value is subjective, in that it depends on the circumstances and preferences of the observer rather than the item’s inherent properties. In particular, value can be affected by the context in which an item is presented: for example, an apple might look more appealing if it is offered right after something less tasty, such as broccoli, than after something tempting like chocolate cake. Consistent with this idea, studies using invasive electrophysiology have shown that value signals corresponding to the current item are modulated by the value of the previously encountered …
Investigating The Role Of Attention And Memory In Visual Exploration,
2021
West Virginia University
Investigating The Role Of Attention And Memory In Visual Exploration, Jacob E. Suffridge
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
This research investigates the role that attention and memory plays in visual exploration through a comprehensive analysis of eye movement and behavioral data, alongside incorporation of a computational saliency model. The purpose of this project is to quantify differences in visual attention over repeated viewings of natural scene images by employing a free viewing task that contains a memory component. In Chapter 2, we explore the task’s behavioral data showing that participants generally memorize our images well before we investigate the effect of numerous object and individual feature inclusion. In Chapter 3, we develop four primary methods to quantify visual …
The Receptor Basis Of Serotonergic Modulation In An Olfactory Network,
2021
West Virginia University
The Receptor Basis Of Serotonergic Modulation In An Olfactory Network, Tyler Ryan Sizemore
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Neuromodulation is a nearly ubiquitous process that endows the nervous system with the capacity to alter neural function at every level (synaptic, circuit, network, etc.) without necessarily adding new neurons. Through the actions of neuromodulators, the existing neural circuitry can be adaptively tuned to achieve flexible network output and similarly dynamic behavioral output. However, despite their near ubiquity in all sensory modalities, the mechanisms underlying neuromodulation of sensory processing remain poorly understood. In this dissertation, I address three main questions regarding the mechanisms of one modulator (serotonin) within one sensory modality (olfaction). I begin by establishing a "functional atlas" of …
Bypassing The Blood-Brain Barrier: A Physical And Pharmacological Approach For The Treatment Of Metastatic Brain Tumors,
2021
West Virginia University Health Sciences Center
Bypassing The Blood-Brain Barrier: A Physical And Pharmacological Approach For The Treatment Of Metastatic Brain Tumors, Samuel A. Sprowls
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
This dissertation (a) provided an in depth literature review of methods to disrupt the BBB/BTB and improve therapeutic distribution to brain tumors, (b) evaluated the use of azacitidine as a single agent therapy for the treatment of brain metastasis of breast cancer and a potential molecular mechanism by which brain tropic cells are sensitized to hypomethylating agents, (c) determined the impact cannabidiol has on P-glycoprotein mediated efflux at the blood-brain barrier and its potential for use as a single agent treatment for metastatic brain tumors, (d) developed a preclinical radiation therapy protocol for use in small animals and in vitro …
Using Zebrafish To Elucidate The Expression And Gene Regulatory Network Of The Genomic Screen Homeobox Transcription Factors And Bring Innovative Science Learning Experiences To West Virginia,
2021
West Virginia University
Using Zebrafish To Elucidate The Expression And Gene Regulatory Network Of The Genomic Screen Homeobox Transcription Factors And Bring Innovative Science Learning Experiences To West Virginia, Rebecca Ann Coltogirone
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Central nervous system (CNS) development requires a code of regionally expressed transcription factors that impart initial neuronal cell identity, connectivity, and function. The absence of a transcription factor code would eliminate the neurodevelopmental logic producing diverse cell types in the CNS. Furthermore, early disruptions in transcription factor expression can affect later connectivity and function of neuronal circuits mediating sensory processing, defects in which are often observed as comorbid with various neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Characterizing transcription factor expression and function is therefore an essential step in discerning the molecular mechanisms underlying human NDDs. genomic screen homeobox 1 and 2 (gsx1 …
The Atr-Chek1 Pathway Inhibits Axon Regeneration In Response To Piezo-Dependent Mechanosensation,
2021
Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
The Atr-Chek1 Pathway Inhibits Axon Regeneration In Response To Piezo-Dependent Mechanosensation, Feng Li, Tsz Y. Lo, Leann Miles, Qin Wang, Harun N. Noristani, Dan Li, Jingwen Niu, Shannon Trombley, Jessica I. Goldshteyn, Chuxi Wang, Shuchao Wang, Jingyun Qiu, Katarzyna Pogoda, Kalpana Mandal, Megan Brewster, Panteleimon Rompolas, Ye He, Pau A. Janmey, Gareth M. Thomas, Shuxin Li, Yuanquan Song
Advanced Science Research Center
Atr is a serine/threonine kinase, known to sense single-stranded DNA breaks and activate the DNA damage checkpoint by phosphorylating Chek1, which inhibits Cdc25, causing cell cycle arrest. This pathway has not been implicated in neuroregeneration. We show that in Drosophila sensory neurons removing Atr or Chek1, or overexpressing Cdc25 promotes regeneration, whereas Atr or Chek1 overexpression, or Cdc25 knockdown impedes regeneration. Inhibiting the Atr-associated checkpoint complex in neurons promotes regeneration and improves synapse/behavioral recovery after CNS injury. Independent of DNA damage, Atr responds to the mechanical stimulus elicited during regeneration, via the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo and its downstream NO …
Mitochondrial Aspects Of Neuronal Pathology In Triple-Transgenic Alzheimer’S Disease Mice,
2021
West Virginia University
Mitochondrial Aspects Of Neuronal Pathology In Triple-Transgenic Alzheimer’S Disease Mice, John Zachary Cavendish
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disease afflicting millions of people in the United States alone and is the only one of the top leading causes of morbidity and mortality with no effective disease-modifying therapies. It is the most common form of dementia, affecting one in three people over the age of 85. While the hallmarks of the disease include accumulation of beta-amyloid-based extracellular plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau-based intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, treatment strategies centered on removing or mitigating these components of AD have all failed in humans. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been increasingly recognized as an early and consistent …
Effects Of Fluoxetine/Simvastatin/Ascorbic Acid Combination Treatment On Neurogenesis And Functional Recovery In A Model Of Multiple Sclerosis,
2021
Wright State University
Effects Of Fluoxetine/Simvastatin/Ascorbic Acid Combination Treatment On Neurogenesis And Functional Recovery In A Model Of Multiple Sclerosis, Olivia Cameron Webb
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Whereas immune modulation has proven beneficial in multiple sclerosis (MS), we hypothesized that targeting down-stream modulators of neurogenesis and subsequent remyelination may offer an additional, if not superior, point of intervention in an attempt to repair damage and recover lost function. As such, the present study assessed the effectiveness of 30-day administration of the drug combination fluoxetine (5 mg/kg), simvastatin (1 mg/kg), and ascorbic acid (50 mg/kg) (FSA) on an early marker of neurogenesis, doublecortin (DCX), and functional recovery using the Montoya Staircase following lysolecithin-induced focal demyelination of the corpus callosum in middle-aged (10-11 month) male and female rats. Lysolecithin …
