An Examination Of Imagined Contexts: The Unreliability Of Context-Dependent Memory Effects In Recall,
2017
Wilfrid Laurier University
An Examination Of Imagined Contexts: The Unreliability Of Context-Dependent Memory Effects In Recall, Caitlin J. I. Tozios
Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)
It is generally accepted that the environmental context present during memory encoding serves as an effective cue for recall if reinstated during retrieval. Participants who perform a free recall test in the same context as that during which they learned a set of words, often remember more words than participants who experience a context mismatch from encoding to retrieval. This is referred to as the context-dependent memory effect and forgetting due to a change in context is referred to as context-dependent forgetting. Recent evidence suggests that contexts need not always be physical but can be mentally generated or imagined and …
Defining The Relationship Between Maternal Care Behavior And Hearing Development In Wistar Rats,
2017
CUNY City College
Defining The Relationship Between Maternal Care Behavior And Hearing Development In Wistar Rats, Jingyun Qiu
Dissertations and Theses
Previous studies in rodents have demonstrated the profound effects that variations in maternal care play during the postnatal development of the brain. However, much less is known about how maternal care affects hearing development. Recently, manipulations of maternal care have been investigated to accelerate hearing onset. We hypothesized that accelerated hearing development results from changes in maternal care behavior. To test this hypothesis, we used a selection model in which natural variations in maternal care were identified in a large cohort of dams by measuring the frequency of different behaviors including LG followed by selection of dams with LG scores …
Communicating Canine And Human Emotions,
2017
University of Jena
Communicating Canine And Human Emotions, Juliane Bräuer, Karine Silva, Stefan R. Schweinberger
Animal Sentience
Kujala (2017) reviews a topic of major relevance for the understanding of the special dog-human relationship: canine emotions (as seen through human social cognition). This commentary draws attention to the communication of emotions within such a particular social context. It highlights challenges that need to be tackled to further advance research on emotional communication, and it calls for new avenues of research. Efforts to disentangle emotional processes from cognitive functioning might be necessary to better comprehend how they contribute, alone and/or in combination, to the communication of emotions. Also, new research methods need to be developed to account for the …
Structural And Functional Alterations In Neocortical Circuits After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury,
2017
Virginia Commonwealth University
Structural And Functional Alterations In Neocortical Circuits After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Michal Vascak
Theses and Dissertations
National concern over traumatic brain injury (TBI) is growing rapidly. Recent focus is on mild TBI (mTBI), which is the most prevalent injury level in both civilian and military demographics. A preeminent sequelae of mTBI is cognitive network disruption. Advanced neuroimaging of mTBI victims supports this premise, revealing alterations in activation and structure-function of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal systems, which are essential for network processing. However, clinical neuroimaging cannot resolve the cellular and molecular substrates underlying such changes. Therefore, to understand the full scope of mTBI-induced alterations it is necessary to study cortical networks on the microscopic level, where neurons …
Role Of Mitochondrial Beta-Oxidation In Ethanol Response: A Candidate Gene Study Using Caenorhabditis Elegans,
2017
Virginia Commonwealth University
Role Of Mitochondrial Beta-Oxidation In Ethanol Response: A Candidate Gene Study Using Caenorhabditis Elegans, Harini Pallikarana Tirumala
Theses and Dissertations
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the fourth leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and the fifth leading risk factor for premature death and disability, globally. There are currently very few treatment options for AUD and there is a need for effective preventive and treatment strategies for this condition. AUD risk has a significant hereditary component, with the contribution of genetic factors being estimated to be about 50%. The Davies-Bettinger laboratory uses C. elegans as a model organism to study the contribution of genetic factors in modulating neuronal responses to ethanol. In this project, we examined the role …
N-Alkyl 4-Methylamphetamine Enantiomers And The Implication For Potential Modulation Of Abuse Liability And Enhancement Of Psychoactive Drug Targeting.,
2017
Virginia Commonwealth University
N-Alkyl 4-Methylamphetamine Enantiomers And The Implication For Potential Modulation Of Abuse Liability And Enhancement Of Psychoactive Drug Targeting., Ramsey Sitta
Theses and Dissertations
Drugs of abuse have a long history in humanity. Currently however, a subject of great interest is the phenylalkylamine family of drugs. Not only is the abuse liability of interest but also the potential therapeutic expansion of the capabilities of this family of drugs by utilizing the unique stereospecific effects of the newly discovered hybrid compounds. Based upon prior data of N-Alkyl 4-MA the enantiomers of N-Methyl, N-Ethyl, and N-Propyl were analyzed in hDAT, hNET, and hSERT. It was found that there was a negative correlation between chain length and potency and dopaminergic component. In agreement with the currently established …
Epigenetic Editing To Validate Findings From Methylome-Wide Association Studies Of Neuropsychiatric Disorders,
2017
Virginia Commonwealth University
Epigenetic Editing To Validate Findings From Methylome-Wide Association Studies Of Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Robin F. Chan
Theses and Dissertations
DNA methylation is necessary for learning, memory consolidation and has been implicated in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders. Obtaining high quality and comprehensive data for the three common forms of methylation in brain is challenging for methylome-wide association studies (MWAS). To address this we optimized a panel of enrichment methods for screening the brain methylome. Results show that these enrichment techniques approach the coverage and fidelity of the current gold standard bisulfite based techniques. Our MBD-based method can also be used with low amounts of genomic material from limited human biomaterials. Psychiatric disorders have high prevalence and are often chronic …
Integrating Genetics And Neuroimaging To Study Subtypes Of Binge Drinkers,
2017
Virginia Commonwealth University
Integrating Genetics And Neuroimaging To Study Subtypes Of Binge Drinkers, Megan E. Cooke
Theses and Dissertations
Risky alcohol use is a major health concern among college students, with 40.1% reporting binge drinking (5 or more drinks in one occasion) and 14.4% reporting heavy drinking (binge drinking on 5 or more occasions) in the past month. Risky alcohol use is thought to be the result of a complex interplay between genes, biological processes, and other phenotypic characteristics. Understanding this complex relationship is further complicated by known phenotypic heterogeneity in the development of alcohol use. Developmental studies have suggested two pathways to risky alcohol use, characterized by externalizing and internalizing characteristics, respectively. However, the underlying biological processes that …
The Effects Of The Hiv-1 Tat Protein And Morphine On The Structure And Function Of The Hippocampal Ca1 Subfield,
2017
SUNY College at Buffalo
The Effects Of The Hiv-1 Tat Protein And Morphine On The Structure And Function Of The Hippocampal Ca1 Subfield, William D. Marks
Theses and Dissertations
HIV is capable of causing a set of neurological diseases collectively termed the HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND). Worsening pathology is observed in HIV+ individuals who use opioid drugs. Memory problems are often observed in HAND, implicating HIV pathology in the hippocampus, and are also known to be exacerbated by morphine use. HIV-1 Tat was demonstrated to reduce spatial memory performance in multiple tasks, and individual subsets of CA1 interneurons were found to be selectively vulnerable to the effects of Tat, notably nNOS+/NPY- interneurons of the pyramidal layer and stratum radiatum, PV+ neurons of the pyramidal layer, and SST+ neurons …
Characterizing The Role Of Key Planar Cell Polarity Pathway Components In Axon Guidance,
2017
Virginia Commonwealth University
Characterizing The Role Of Key Planar Cell Polarity Pathway Components In Axon Guidance, Grayland W. Godfrey Ii
Theses and Dissertations
An essential process to the development of the neural network of the nervous system is axon guidance. The noncanonical Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity pathway has been identified as an integral component in controlling the projection of axons during axon guidance. Prickle, ROR1 and ROR2 are PCP related proteins that do not have clearly defined roles in the process. This study aims to use zebrafish CoPA neurons as a model to study the roles of Prickle, ROR1, and ROR2 in axon guidance. Using in situ hybridization, morpholino knockdown, and CRISPR/Cas9 loss of function experiments were able to identify ror1, ror2 and …
Oxidative Stress And Proteomic Studies Of Mammalian Models Of Age-Related Metabolic Dysfunction In Neurodegenerative Disorders,
2017
University of Kentucky
Oxidative Stress And Proteomic Studies Of Mammalian Models Of Age-Related Metabolic Dysfunction In Neurodegenerative Disorders, Aaron M. Swomley
Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry
Expression proteomics is the field of science wherein proteins that make up the cellular proteome are identified both by name and by fold-change. Depending on the application of proteomics, this change in level could be due to internal cellular stressors or introduction of xenobiotics. Global oxidative stress measures use immunohistochemistry to determine the relative level of oxidative stress of macromolecules within the cell. In this dissertation, both global oxidative stress measures and expression proteomics were used in a variety of mammalian models in order to determine the effects of protein upregulation, intranasal insulin administration, and resveratrol supplementation on the cellular …
Octopamine In Sexual Behavior,
2017
University of Texas at El Paso
Octopamine In Sexual Behavior, Ana Isabel Fernandez
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Octopamine is a biogenic amine neuromodulator present in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues in invertebrates (Roeder, 1999). It modulates numerous physiological processes such as motivation, pheromone response, olfaction, ovulation, learning and memory. Octopamine together with its precursor tyramine have roles restricted only to invertebrates (Roeder, 1999). It is believed that octopamine is the invertebrate homolog of norepinephrine, a catecholamine present in mammals that acts as a neuromodulator in the sympathetic and central nervous systems. Both octopamine and norepinephrine are derived from the same amino acid tyrosine and are monoamine neurotransmitters. The main objective of this study is to understand the role …
A Behavioral And Neuroimmune System Model Of The Effects Of Chronic Low-Level Lead Exposure In Young Male C57bl/6j Mice,
2017
University of Texas at El Paso
A Behavioral And Neuroimmune System Model Of The Effects Of Chronic Low-Level Lead Exposure In Young Male C57bl/6j Mice, Mayra Gisel Flores-Montoya
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Chronic low-level lead exposure reduces memory in children however the brain mechanisms mediating these effects are not known. In previous studies we showed that early lead exposure reduced olfactory memory and exploratory behavior in young mice, and reduced microglia cell density in hippocampus/dentate gyrus. The present studies aimed to identify additional behavioral tests that were sensitive to early low-level lead exposure in young mice; and to examine whether microglia upregulated factors known to promote cell migration. Seventy-two C57BL/6J male mice were exposed to 0 ppm (controls), 30 ppm (low-dose), or 430 ppm (high-dose) of lead acetate via dams' milk from …
The Metabolically Sentient Arcuate Nucleus: A Functional, Chemoarchitectural And Connectional Study In The Adult Male Rat,
2017
University of Texas at El Paso
The Metabolically Sentient Arcuate Nucleus: A Functional, Chemoarchitectural And Connectional Study In The Adult Male Rat, Anais Martinez
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
As the obesity pandemic continues to increase, so does the incidence rate of related conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders (Yu and Kim 2012). At the level of the brain, the hypothalamus is a key structure for the integratration of autonomic, neuroendocrine and somatomotor functions for the control of metabolism and homeostasis. It has long been implicated as a critical player in the deregulation of an animal's energy status and in the onset of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome (Elmquist et al., 1999). While many ongoing studies are aimed at preventing or treating these conditions, the underlying mechanisms …
Predatory Behavior And Neuroanatomy Of The Sessile Rotifer, Cupelopagis Vorax ,
2017
University of Texas at El Paso
Predatory Behavior And Neuroanatomy Of The Sessile Rotifer, Cupelopagis Vorax , Elizabeth Preza
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Predator-prey interactions contribute to the evolution of behavioral and morphological characteristics of species. However, research on zooplankton has mainly focused on planktonic species such Mesocyclops edax (Arthropoda, Cyclopoida) and Asplanchna spp. (Rotifera, Ploima). Cupelopagis vorax (Rotifera, Collothecaceae) provides a unique model for studying the predatory behavior of a sessile species. Cupelopagis was chosen because it is the only rotifer known to exhibit rheotaxic behaviors in the presence of prey and because it undergoes indirect development where non-feeding, free-swimming larvae mature into feeding adults. The integration of behavioral techniques, immunohistochemistry, and confocal microscopy were used to provide insight as to how …
Method & Madness: Advanced Techniques For Characterizing Rat Hypothalamic Chemoarchitecture And For Modernizing Legacy Data,
2017
University of Texas at El Paso
Method & Madness: Advanced Techniques For Characterizing Rat Hypothalamic Chemoarchitecture And For Modernizing Legacy Data, Claire Eugenia Wells
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
The hypothalamus is a region of the brain with exceptionally high anatomical, chemical, and functional diversity. It regulates homeostatic functions and a number of motivated behaviors impacting homeostasis, such as ingestion and reproduction; it also serves as a point of connection between the forebrain and hindbrain. An improved understanding of the chemical anatomy of this area would benefit scientists working in many neuroscientific disciplines. The work described herein contributes to a chemoarchitectural atlas of the rat hypothalamus, which will include data on the distribution of various hypothalamic neurotransmitters, and on their co-localizations and synaptic interactions. Importantly, the methodology used to …
The Neuromodulatory Mechanisms That Monoamines Control Simple And Complex Behaviors,
2017
University of Texas at El Paso
The Neuromodulatory Mechanisms That Monoamines Control Simple And Complex Behaviors, Paul Rafael Bermeo Sabandal
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
For my Dissertation, I worked on three projects in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, which is a well-established genetic animal model. The first project (Chapter 1) is to elucidate the neural, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying behavioral control named response inhibition. In this study, I identified that a particular subset of dopamine neurons, D1 dopamine receptors and the neural substrates crucial for response inhibition. Abnormal response inhibition is associated with the mental disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and addiction, This study may help enhance our understanding the pathogenesis mechanisms of …
Characterization Of Sex Differences In The Reinforcing Effects Of Nicotine,
2017
University of Texas at El Paso
Characterization Of Sex Differences In The Reinforcing Effects Of Nicotine, Rodolfo Jesus Flores Garcia
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
It is presently unclear whether ovarian hormones, such as estradiol (E2) promote the reinforcing effects of nicotine in females. Thus, we compared extended access to nicotine intravenous self-administration (IVSA) in intact male, intact female, and OVX female rats (Study 1) as well as OVX females that received vehicle or E2 supplementation (Study 2). The E2 supplementation procedure involved a 4-day procedure involving 2 days of vehicle administration and 2 days of E2 administration. Two doses of E2 (25 or 250 ug) were assessed in separate groups of OVX females in order to examine the dose-dependent effects of this hormone on …
Optimal Use Of Eeg Recordings To Target Active Brain Areas With Transcranial Electrical Stimulation,
2017
CUNY City College
Optimal Use Of Eeg Recordings To Target Active Brain Areas With Transcranial Electrical Stimulation, Jacek P. Dmochowski
Publications and Research
To demonstrate causal relationships between brain and behavior, investigators would like to guide brain stimulationusing measurements of neural activity. Particularly promising in this context are electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial electrical stimulation (TES), as they are linked by a reciprocity principle which, despite being known for decades, has not led to a formalism for relating EEG recordings to optimal stimulation parameters. Here we derive a closed-form expression for the TES configuration that optimally stimulates (i.e., targets) the sources of recorded EEG, without making assumptions about source location or distribution. We also derive a duality between TES targeting and EEG source …
What Can Research On Nonhumans Tell Us About Human Dissonance?,
2017
Oakland University
What Can Research On Nonhumans Tell Us About Human Dissonance?, Jennifer Vonk
Animal Sentience
Zentall’s thoughtful review of the literature on cognitive dissonance in nonhumans helps to highlight the common finding that similar outcomes in humans and nonhumans can be attributed to different underlying mechanisms. I advocate a more fully comparative approach to the underlying mechanisms, avoiding the assumption of shared processes in humans and nonhumans.
