Learning And Motivation For Rewards In Schizophrenia: Implications For Behavioral Rehabilitation,
2020
CUNY Queens College
Learning And Motivation For Rewards In Schizophrenia: Implications For Behavioral Rehabilitation, Victoria Martin, Alexandra Brereton, Jicheng Tang
Publications and Research
Purpose of review: Impaired reward processing and amotivation are well documented in schizophrenia. We aim to review the current state of neuroimaging and behavioral research addressing components of motivational deficits in this complex and impairing syndrome. Evidence will be integrated to inform the ongoing development of effective strategies for behavioral rehabilitation. Recent findings: While striatal dopamine and aberrant reward prediction errors have been connected to amotivation in schizophrenia, they are not sufficiently full explanations of reward processing impairments. Frontal dysfunction and associated cognitive control deficits also have evidenced involvement in atypical reward prediction, learning, and valuation. Ongoing work supports the …
Non-Invasive Method For Leptin Supplementation In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio),
2020
The University of Akron
Non-Invasive Method For Leptin Supplementation In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Regan Mcnamara
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
I tested the hypothesis that recombinant leptin protein can be introduced to zebrafish in vivo through non-invasive soaking in a solution containing the protein. One way to study various molecules’ effects in vivo is through intraperitoneal or intracerebroventricular injections during the embryonic or larval stage, which is invasive, difficult to administer, and can have a high mortality rate. 48 hours post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish were soaked in a His-tagged recombinant leptin protein solution at 10 nM and 100 nM concentrations (produced by Genscript). After soaking, zebrafish larvae were washed extensively to remove all recombinant protein on their exterior before homogenization. …
Assessing Morphology Of Iprgcs After Traumatic Brain Injury,
2020
The University of Akron
Assessing Morphology Of Iprgcs After Traumatic Brain Injury, Brian Foresi, Matt Smith
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
ipRGCs are retinal ganglion cells that project to visual processing centers of the brain for nonimage forming visual functions. The relation of ipRGCs to tramatic brain injury (TBI) is emerging as data has been published describing ipRGC functional changes in TBI affected military veterans. Major symptomologies of concussions, a mild form of TBI, also overlap with the function governed by sites in the brain with major ipRGC projection percentages. Assesing if a morphological change is occuring in the ipRGCs after a TBI could support the idea of a pathological mechanism of the injury. This study could also indicate further relevance …
Optimization And Validation Of The Neurolux Wireless Optoelectronics System For Optogenetics,
2020
University of Akron
Optimization And Validation Of The Neurolux Wireless Optoelectronics System For Optogenetics, Karis Courey, Su Hyun Lee Ph.D., Adam Smith Ph.D., Nicholas Cilz Ph.D., Sarah K. Williams Avram Ph.D., Adi Cymerblit-Sabba Ph.D., June Song, Nicholas Leipzig Ph.D., W. Scott Young M.D., Ph.D.
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Utilizing light and genetic engineering, optogenetics permits the manipulation of events within cells via light using the light-sensitive properties of single-component microbial opsins. Microbial opsins are activated by a light source, such as lasers, light-emitting diodes, and incandescent sources that deliver light to the region of interest either directly or indirectly, such as through fiberoptics. In classical in vivo optogenetics, the wiring of optic fibers necessitates tethering of animals by the optic fiber to the light source. The novel NeuroLux wireless optoelectronic system for optogenetics circumvents issues pertaining to classical optogenetics by utilizing near-field power transfer via magnetic coil antennae …
Artificially-Generated Scenes Demonstrate The Importance Of Global Properties During Early Scene Perception,
2020
Wright State University
Artificially-Generated Scenes Demonstrate The Importance Of Global Properties During Early Scene Perception, Mavuso Wesley Mzozoyana
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
During scene perception, studies have shown the importance of the global distribution of a scene. Electrophysiological studies have found these global effects concentrated corresponding to the second positive and first negative peaks (P2 and N1, respectively) of the Event-related potential (ERP) during the first 600 ms of scene perception. We sought to understand in Experiment 1, to what extent early responses to scenes were driven by mid-level global information such as the degree of naturalness or openness in a scene image in the absence of specific low-and high-level information (color and semantic object detail). This was done using artificially-generated stimuli …
Exploring The Impact Of Affective Processing On Visual Perception Of Large-Scale Spatial Environments,
2020
Wright State University
Exploring The Impact Of Affective Processing On Visual Perception Of Large-Scale Spatial Environments, Auroabah S. Almufleh
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
This thesis explores the interaction between emotions and visual perception using large scale spatial environment as the medium of this interaction. Emotion has been documented to have an early effect on scene perception (Olofsson, Nordin, Sequeira, & Polich, 2008). Yet, most popularly-used scene stimuli, such as the IAPS or GAPED stimulus sets often depict salient objects embedded in naturalistic backgrounds, or “events” which contain rich social information, such as human faces or bodies. And thus, while previous studies are instrumental to our understanding of the role that social-emotion plays in visual perception, they do not isolate the effect of emotion …
Exosomes As Systemic Mediators Of Nanotube Induced Neurotoxicity,
2020
Virginia Commonwealth University
Exosomes As Systemic Mediators Of Nanotube Induced Neurotoxicity, Christopher G. Canal
Theses and Dissertations
Extra-pulmonary effects of nanoparticle inhalation have been well documented; however, mechanisms for conveying peripheral bioactivity remain elusive. Recent studies point to indirect molecular mediators shed into the circulation. Protein and lipid alternatives to cytokines or chemokines have been proposed, yet the diversity among responses suggests a broader assemblage of factors. Recently we have proposed proteolytic fragment peptides as an additional source of bioactivity, which interestingly were significantly associated with exosomal proteins after enrichment analysis. Here we tested whether modeled exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) could alter the composition and bioactivity of circulating exosomes. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed by …
Epigenetic Alterations At Synaptic Plasticity Genes In A Genetically Heterogeneous Rat Model Of Neuropsychiatric Disorders,
2020
Virginia Commonwealth University
Epigenetic Alterations At Synaptic Plasticity Genes In A Genetically Heterogeneous Rat Model Of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Doan M. On
Theses and Dissertations
Sensorimotor gating impairments are observed across a range of neuropsychiatric conditions. The prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response (PPI) is a validated measure of sensorimotor gating. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations in rodents have shown PPI is regulated by specific brain monoaminergic systems. Using genetically heterogeneous NIH-HS rats, we stratified individuals by %PPI. In low PPI animals, we observed elevated mRNA levels of certain neurotransmitter receptors, including metabotropic glutamate receptor Grm2, dopamine receptors Drd1 and Drd2, serotonin receptors Htr1a and Htr2a, and scaffolding protein Homer1, in the frontal cortex (FC) and striatum (STR). We found Drd2 …
A Study On The Mechanism Of Clp290 Restoration Of Kcc2 And Neuroprotection After Traumatic Brain Injury,
2020
VCU student
A Study On The Mechanism Of Clp290 Restoration Of Kcc2 And Neuroprotection After Traumatic Brain Injury, Ekaterina Stepanova
Theses and Dissertations
The research of this thesis investigated the mechanism of action for the therapeutic compound CLP290, which our laboratory has previously demonstrated to reverse degradation of the protein potassium-chloride co-transporter 2 (KCC2) and restore neuronal function following modeled traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the rat. The loss of membranous KCC2 from the plasma membrane after TBI worsens the excitation/inhibition imbalance common in neurotrauma. Addressed here were the specific aims to: 1) assess that CLP290 treatment restores the functional oligomeric form of KCC2 to the neuronal plasma membrane as necessary to provide chloride homeostasis; 2) investigate the signaling mechanism by which CLP290 …
Global Interest For Health Professions Education: A Geographic And Temporal Analyses Through Web Search Differences From 2010-2019,
2020
Southwestern University PHINMA, School of Dentistry
Global Interest For Health Professions Education: A Geographic And Temporal Analyses Through Web Search Differences From 2010-2019, Junhel Dalanon, Yoshizo Matsuka
Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the spatio-temporal differences in web search trends for dental degrees (DD), medical degrees (MD), and nursing degrees (ND) across 197 countries from 2010 to 2019. Method: A search string was used to initiate a search query using Google Trends. The parameters used were DD, MD, and ND as search terms; worldwide as Location; 2010 to 2019 as time range; health education & medical training as category; and web search as database. Data were downloaded and analyzed. Results: Via one-way ANOVA and post hoc Dunnett test, the searches for DD were found …
Understanding How Sequence Differences Among Glutamate Transporters Might Contribute To Their Differential Function In Glutamate Clearance In C. Elegans,
2020
CUNY City College
Understanding How Sequence Differences Among Glutamate Transporters Might Contribute To Their Differential Function In Glutamate Clearance In C. Elegans, Irving Estevez
Dissertations and Theses
In the nervous system, high circuit resolution requires efficient post-signaling clearance of the neurotransmitter. Glutamate-mediated neurotransmission involves the release of glutamate (Glu) into the synaptic cleft by the presynaptic cell and binding to glutamate receptors (GluR) on the postsynaptic cell, leading to activation of a signal transduction cascade. Neurotransmission is eventually terminated by Glu uptake via glutamate transporters (GluT). Inefficient Glu clearance is detrimental to precise rapid signaling, can lead to blurring of circuit resolution by inadvertent Glu spillover to nearby circuits, and may even be neurotoxic. While classical views depict synapses as insulated by glia, recent technological advances show …
Mechanisms Of Value-Biased Prioritization In Fast Sensorimotor Decision Making,
2020
CUNY City College
Mechanisms Of Value-Biased Prioritization In Fast Sensorimotor Decision Making, Kivilcim Afacan-Seref
Dissertations and Theses
In dynamic environments, split-second sensorimotor decisions must be prioritized according to potential payoffs to maximize overall rewards. The impact of relative value on deliberative perceptual judgments has been examined extensively, but relatively little is known about value-biasing mechanisms in the common situation where physical evidence is strong but the time to act is severely limited. This research examines the behavioral and electrophysiological indices of how value biases split-second perceptual decisions and the possible mechanisms underlying the process. In prominent decision models, a noisy but statistically stationary representation of sensory evidence is integrated over time to an action-triggering bound, and value-biases …
Lateralized Temporal Integration Properties Of The Mouse Auditory Cortex,
2020
CUNY City College
Lateralized Temporal Integration Properties Of The Mouse Auditory Cortex, Demetrios Neophytou
Dissertations and Theses
Social communication calls are fleeting, rapidly modulating signals and the ability of the auditory system to perceive such transient signals is a remarkable phenomenon. The mechanism by which the auditory cortex (ACx) is believed to be capable of processing these signals is through recurrent connectivity in the cortical circuits. Recurrent connectivity is proposed to be a possible circuit motif that aids in the processing of these transient signals. Recurrent connectivity is believed to have an effect on the temporal fidelity, the ability to follow a modulating signal, and the recurrent activity, sustained activity following stimulus offset, at the level of …
Attention Strongly Modulates Reliability Of Neural Response To Naturalistic Narrative Stimuli,
2020
CUNY City College
Attention Strongly Modulates Reliability Of Neural Response To Naturalistic Narrative Stimuli, Jason Ki
Dissertations and Theses
Attentional engagement is a major determinant of how effectively we gather information through our senses. Alongside the sheer growth in the amount and variety of information content we are presented with through modern media, there is increased variability in the degree to which we ‘absorb’ that information. Traditional research on attention has illuminated the basic principles of sensory selection to isolated features or locations, but it provides little insight into the neural underpinnings of our attentional engagement with modern naturalistic content. Here, we show in human subjects that the reliability of an individual's neural responses with respect to a larger …
Effects Of Weak Electric Fields On Long-Term Synaptic Plasticity,
2020
CUNY City College
Effects Of Weak Electric Fields On Long-Term Synaptic Plasticity, Gregory Kronberg
Dissertations and Theses
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a technique where a weak direct electrical current is applied to the scalp with the goal of stimulating the brain. There is tremendous interest in the use of tDCS for treating brain disorders and improving brain function. However, the effects of tDCS have been highly variable across studies, leading to a debate over its efficacy. A major challenge is therefore to design tDCS protocols that yield predictable effects, which will require a better understanding of its basic mechanisms of action. One commonly discussed mechanism is that tDCS may alter synaptic plasticity, but the biophysics …
Validation Of Ninein As An Ethanol-Related Quantitative Trait Gene: Reassessment, Design, And Functional Validation Of Reference Genes For Qpcr Analysis Of Brain Tissue In Mice,
2020
Virginia Commonwealth University
Validation Of Ninein As An Ethanol-Related Quantitative Trait Gene: Reassessment, Design, And Functional Validation Of Reference Genes For Qpcr Analysis Of Brain Tissue In Mice, Jessica L. Jurmain
Theses and Dissertations
The increasing use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a method for quantifying gene expression has led to an increased demand for standardization of data analysis methods to ensure accurate reporting and robust, reproducible results. The exponential nature of qPCR amplification results in the potential magnification of what are usually very small sources of error. Relative gene expression calculations circumvent this issue by normalizing target gene expression data to within-sample expression of a previously validated, stably expressed reference gene or genes. Multiple studies discussed herein have found that qPCR data are more reliable and reproducible when multiple reference …
Reprograming Neuronal Cells By Overexpression Of Fibroblast-Specific Transcription Factors,
2020
Eastern Illinois University
Reprograming Neuronal Cells By Overexpression Of Fibroblast-Specific Transcription Factors, Abdulmohsen Alanazi
Masters Theses
In mammals, a complex system of regulatory signals distinguishes tissues, structures and functions. Combinations of transcription factors and co-factors regulate activation and repression of genes that result in cellular differentiation. Whole genome arrays allow the monitoring of genomic expression in specific tissues. Fibroblast microarray studies have shown candidate genes that may be involved in fibroblast identification, including genes that express transcription factors Prrx1, Snai2 and Twist1. A previous study showed that the Prrx1 and Snai2 could reactivate a fibroblast phenotype in hybrid cells that had lost fibroblast identity. Furthermore, overexpression of these factors in liver-derived cells strongly repressed liver gene …
Depression And Anxiety In A Female Adolescent Population With Sources Of Social Support Latent Profiles,
2020
Northern Illinois University
Depression And Anxiety In A Female Adolescent Population With Sources Of Social Support Latent Profiles, Kathleen Kelly
Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations
Social support is associated with various outcomes such as depression and anxiety. Less work has investigated how support received from various sources cumulatively is associated with internalizing symptoms. Research suggests that above other sources, parents and peers are the most strongly associated with internalizing outcomes. Looking at female adolescents specifically, the current study explored 1) what patterns of social support across sources emerge in a female adolescent sample, and 2) how do depressive and anxiety symptoms vary based on those patterns of social support? The study utilized Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) on data collected from a female high school sample …
Neurodegenerative Modeling: Tau Protein, Degradative Pathways, And Gene Expression Profiling Of Human Ipsc-Derived Neural Precursors And Differentiated 3-D Neural Sphere Versus 2-D Monolayer Cultures,
2020
Humboldt State University
Neurodegenerative Modeling: Tau Protein, Degradative Pathways, And Gene Expression Profiling Of Human Ipsc-Derived Neural Precursors And Differentiated 3-D Neural Sphere Versus 2-D Monolayer Cultures, Kyle H. Anthoney
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
Human induced pluripotent stem cells offer a model for human brain development and disease by differentiation into brain organoids; however, current neural culture systems lack the microenvironment, neuronal circuits and connectivity, vascular circulation, and immune system that exist in vivo. After differentiation and development of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types within two formats of cell cultures, we can visualize and recapitulate in vivo protein accumulation, gene expression, and degradative processes such as autophagy. Using RNA extraction, purification methods and reverse transcription I compared traditional monolayer cultures and novel 3-D neural sphere cultures via gene expression analysis. This analysis indicated …
Book Review: Was Yosef On The Spectrum By Samuel J. Levine,
2020
Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Book Review: Was Yosef On The Spectrum By Samuel J. Levine, Ian Hale, Ph.D.
Touro Law Review
No abstract provided.
