Neuroscience and Neurobiology Commons^™

Effects Of The Non-Stimulant Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor, Atomoxetine, On Cognitive Flexibility In Healthy Adult Long-Evans Rats, Noah A. Ivak, Samantha Walkow, Christopher Knapp, Eleni Papadopoulos, Barry D Waterhouse, Rachel L Navarra

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Executive function is the control of multiple higher order cognitive processes that include attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility is the ability to shift behavioral strategies

in response to changing environmental demands and task complexity. This cognitive modality is often impaired in many neuropsychiatric disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Deficits in cognitive flexibility are associated with dysregulation of the catecholamines, norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) within the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Atomoxetine (ATX), a non-stimulant NE reuptake inhibitor, elevates levels of NE and DA in the PFC by inhibiting the norepinephrine transporter (NET). ATX is used to …

Effects Of Social Isolation On Cecum Opioid Receptor Expression And Affective Behavior, Jordan Riser, John Tkaczynski, Nicole Shellenbarger, Maya Patel, Daniel Chandler, Daniel Manvich

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND

Psychological stress can induce gastrointestinal symptoms and exacerbate existing gastrointestinal disorders, indicating an interaction between the central and enteric nervous systems. Central nervous system activation of opioid receptors stimulates sympathetic outflow to the enteric nervous system, delaying motility and reducing gastrointestinal secretions, producing a similar clinical presentation to IBS.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesize that social isolation induces anxiety states, disrupting homeostatic noradrenergic activity in the brain and gut, leading to neurophysiological changes in the cecum characterized by altered expression of opioid receptors.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were housed in either group (control) or socially isolated conditions. Affective behavior was assessed using …

Simulating Chill: Exploring The Cognitive And Therapeutic Potential Of Cold Vr Environments, Jessica Turner, Piper Hutson, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This study investigates the cognitive and therapeutic potential of immersive virtual reality (VR) environments designed to simulate cold conditions. Through the engagement of participants through multisensory stimuli—including vivid visual representations of the Athabasca Glacier, auditory effects of icy winds, and corresponding haptic feedback—the research evaluates neurological and physiological responses associated with attention, emotional regulation, and stress modulation. Participants experienced virtual scenarios featuring icy winds and snow, activating specific neurological pathways involving the occipital lobe, primary visual cortex, superior colliculus, and insula, thus reinforcing sensory integration. Through predictive coding, the anterior insula and hypothalamus were engaged, prompting thermoregulatory simulations and subconscious …

Identifying Cognitive, Affective, And Developmental Mechanisms Linking Threat And Deprivation With Adolescent Psychopathology, Ekaterina Sadikova, David G. Weissman, Maya L. Rosen, Elise Robinson, Liliana J. Lengua, Margaret A. Sheridan, Henning Tiemeier, Katie A. Mclaughlin

Neuroscience: Faculty Publications

Background: The mechanisms linking early-life adversity with psychopathology over the life-course are complex. In this prospective study, we collectively examined cognitive, affective, and developmental mediators previously found to individually link childhood threat and deprivation experiences to adolescent psychopathology to identify the most potent mechanisms. Methods: Data came from a community sample of 227 children (mean child age 11.5 ± 0.5 years, 48.5% female) from the Seattle metro area with recruitment designed to reflect diversity in family income. Candidate mechanisms included self-rated pubertal development and task-measured attention bias to threat, emotion regulation, theory of mind, fear learning, inhibitory control, language ability, …

Acetylcholine Release In The Dorsal Lateral Straitum During Social Approach Task, Taylor Good, Oyku Dinckol, Noah Wenger, Jake Caselli, Munir Gunes Kutlu

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Nicotine Decreases ACh Release in the DS leading to a Serenic Effect during Social Approach Task

Acetylcholine (ACh) regulates attention, learning, and stress responses (Benarroch E. E., 2012). The dorsal striatum (DS), essential for stimulus-response learning, is also linked to anxiety and compulsivity (Casado-Sainz et al., 2021). We used behavioral pharmacology and in vivo fiber photometry to study ACh responses during social approach tasks in the dorsal striatum. Male and female C57BL/6J mice underwent stereotaxic surgeries to inject a fluorescent ACh sensor (ACh.Sn.Fr) and implant fiber optic cannulas in the DS. Using in vivo fiber photometry, we tracked ACh release …

Modulation Of Opioid Receptor Expression In The Ventral Tegmental Area Following Stress Exposure In Rats, Maya Patel, John Tkaczynski, Jordan Riser, Nicole Shellenbarger, Jin Park, Daniel Manvich, Daniel J. Chandler

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains dopamine-producing neurons projecting to various brain regions. VTA dysfunction is linked to addiction and depression. Delta opioid receptor upregulation relates to chronic pain, inflammation, cancer, and early adversity. Kappa receptors in the VTA influence stress, drug-seeking, mood, and reward. Notably, chronic substance abuse upregulates the κ-receptor/dynorphin system, and the opioid system regulates social interaction needs.

Hypothesis: Stress will upregulate opioid receptors.

Methods: We compared group-housed and individually-housed rats using stress tests, analyzing behavior and quantifying VTA opioid receptor expression.

Results: Social isolation upregulated delta and kappa opioid receptors in …

The Effects Of Pfos Exposure On Zebrafish Dopaminergic Neurodevelopment, Allison G. Fletcher

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmental contaminants that cause disruptions to the nervous and endocrine systems. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is considered one of the most disruptive PFAS to the nervous system, and may disrupt neurodevelopment of the dopaminergic system, which has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in humans. I hypothesized that early life PFOS exposure disrupts the development of the dopaminergic system. To test this hypothesis, I exposed zebrafish to 0.05, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/L PFOS through 5 days of embryonic and larval development. To assess acute effects of PFOS on the …

Minimizing Secondary Spinal Cord Injuries With Hypertonic Saline., Francisco A. Cortez-Thomas

Master of Engineering Theses

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts white matter, causing periaxonal swelling, axonal degeneration, and impaired function. To examine vascular edema’s role, we developed a 3Dprinted dual-compartment imaging chamber to mimic and manipulate interstitial and vascular fluid dynamics in real time. We hypothesized that hypertonic saline (HTS) in the "vascular" chamber would osmotically shift fluid from the periaxonal space and preserve myelinated fibers after SCI. Using two-photon excitation microscopy, we imaged myelin and axons ex vivo in Thy1^YFP+ transgenic mice following C5 contusive SCI and assessed three clinically relevant HTS concentrations versus normal saline for their effectiveness in mitigating periaxonal swelling …

African Sleeping Sickness: From Basic Biology To Future Directions, Riddhi R. Patel

All Theses

African Sleeping Sickness is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) which poses a significant health risk to impoverished populations in 36 Sub-Saharan African countries. It is a devastating disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which is transmitted to mammals via the bite of infected tsetse flies. The disease manifests in two stages: the hemolymphatic stage and the meningoencephalitic stage. In the latter stage, it invades the Central Nervous System (CNS) and can be fatal if left untreated. It is caused by morphologically indistinguishable species of Trypanosoma brucei in both humans and animals, where in humans it is known as …

The Impact Of Emdr Therapy On Past Suicidal Ideation: Lived Experiences Of Young Adults, Lindsey Faehnrich

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study explores the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in reducing suicidal ideation and improving mental health outcomes among college-attending young adults (ages 18–24) with a history of trauma. EMDR is a body-based psychotherapy designed to alleviate distressing thoughts and trauma. It gained attention for its positive impact on PTSD and has more recently been applied to other mental health disorders. The literature review highlights risk factors including trauma, mental health disorders, suicidal ideation, and EMDR. The methods detail a phenomenological approach, interviewing four young adults who underwent EMDR and experienced past suicidal ideation. This provided …

Emotional Outbursts In Latinx Autistic Youth With Intact Or Non-Intact Families; Frequency, Severity, And Socio-Demographic Correlates, Sandra Lucia Masso Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, communication, and restricted repetitive behaviors. One of the core difficulties in individuals with ASD is related to emotional outbursts. Emotional outbursts (EO) are behavioral episodes in response to situations, environmental and physiological stimuli that occur in an extreme, unpleasant, sometimes aggressive way, often disproportionate to the context. Considering the impacts that EO’s can cause in populations with neurodevelopmental disorders and on the well-being and mental health of parents/caregivers, the need arises to evaluate these populations. Due to the core characteristics of ASD (such as a rigid mentality, …

The Extracellular Domains Of The Ampa, Kainate, And Orphan Delta Receptor Regulate Channel Gating In Distinct Ways, Cuauhtemoc Ulises Gonzalez

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The ionotropic glutamate receptors are ligand-gated cationic channels essential for neuroplasticity and neurological functions such as learning, memory, behavior, cognition, and motor coordination. Mutations in these channels are linked to various disorders including autism, ataxia, and epilepsy, making them compelling pharmacological targets. Within this family, the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate receptor mediate their function through fast glutamate-gated ionotropic activity, which needs precise structural changes to perform properly. While Cryo-EM structures have provided snap shots of these proteins, questions remain regarding the dynamics across conformations and individual roles of the extracellular amino-terminal and agonist binding domain in dictating function. …

Rod Photoreceptor Regeneration In A Zebrafish Model With Retinitis Pigmentosa, Eyad Shihabeddin

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

A cellular hallmark of inherited retinal degenerative diseases is progressive loss of photoreceptors until one is completely blind. Unlike mammalian models, Zebrafish have the ability to naturally regenerate their neurons after injury or disease is detected. We have generated a zebrafish model with the most common autosomal dominant form of the inherited retinal degenerative disease known as Retinitis Pigmentosa. We utilize immunohistochemistry, single-cell RNA sequencing, several analysis tools, behavioral assays and oligonucleotides to characterize our zebrafish model and identify the transcription factors necessary for rod photoreceptor regeneration. We show that our zebrafish model has continuous degeneration and regeneration of rod …

The Gut Microbiome As A Novel Approach For Reversing Long-Term Inflammation And Accelerated Aging Across The Lifespan, Janelle M. Korf

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Introduction: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) arises from disrupted perinatal cerebral oxygenation and perfusion. It is a leading global cause of infant death and disability which disproportionally affects males. Like adult stroke, HIE initiates a rapid influx of inflammatory cells across the blood brain barrier and a loss of microglial homeostasis. Persistent peripheral inflammation in children with a history of HIE is recognized but its ramifications, including accelerated aging, are poorly understood. As this coincides with critical stages of brain development, interventions started months or years post-injury may still improve survivors’ quality of life. One promising intervention is to manipulate the …

Investigating Prefrontal Cortex Neuronal Signatures Of Opioid-Induced Risk-Taking Behavior, Cana Quave

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Opioid use disorder occurs alongside impaired risk-related decision-making, but the underlying neural correlates are unclear. We developed an approach-avoidance conflict task using a modified conditioned place preference procedure to study neural signals of risky opioid seeking in the prefrontal cortex, a region implicated in executive decision-making. Following morphine conditioned place preference, rats underwent a conflict test in which fear-inducing cat odor was introduced in the previously drug-paired side of the apparatus. While the saline-exposed control group avoided cat odor, the morphine group included two subsets of rats that either maintained a preference for the paired side despite the presence of …

Neural Activity Within And Between Visual And Executive Areas Is Modulated Post-Locomotion In Rhesus Macaques, Sergey Egranov

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Physical activity has been shown to benefit cognitive and mental health by improving cerebrovascular perfusion and regulating hormone-mediated processes on a systemic level. However, the acute effects of physical activity, such as locomotion, on the neuronal circuits underlying cognitive processes have yet to be fully characterized. This body of work seeks to rectify this gap in knowledge through analysis of how both behavioral performance and neuronal activity signatures in visual and executive brain regions are modulated post-locomotion in rhesus macaques.

To this end, we performed high-yield electrophysiological recordings simultaneously from area V4, a mid-tier visual cortical region, and the dorsolateral …

Investigating The Role Of The Hypocretin/Orexin System In A Novel Model Of Polysubstance Dependence, Tyler Zarin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders (SUD) in the United States are steadily increasing. Potent and dangerous substances such as methamphetamine (MA) and fentanyl (FEN) are often co-used as a polysubstance (POLY), either intentionally or unknowingly as FEN is a common adulterant. SUD is characterized by physiological and psychological dependence involving the negative reinforcement of anhedonia and withdrawal which drive hypermotivated drug-taking behaviors. Current theory suggests that recruitment of hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) neuropeptide in reward and stress associated brain regions contributes to drug dependence. Despite strong evidence for HCRT’s role in mono-drug dependence, a relevant model for POLY dependence has yet to be developed, …

Sliding Window Method For Simulating Action Potentials In Axons, Hayden Reed

Honors Theses

ABSTRACT Hodgkin and Huxley’s nonlinear partial differential equations model the excitation and propagation of action potentials in neurons, and there have been numerous attempts at finding the best numerical solution method. This thesis proposes a novel approach to solving these equations: the Sliding Window method, in which a fixed sub-interval is found through capturing the signal’s head and tail. The system is then solved on the sub-interval instead of the entire interval. Using the Sliding Window technique also involves implementing the backward and forward Euler methods and the finite difference method. It will be demonstrated that, in utilizing the Sliding …

The Bullied Prairie Vole: Modeling Depression And Anxiety Through Social Defeat Stress, Minerva Rodriguez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Stress-induced illnesses, such as major depression and anxiety, are significant global causes of disability. This highlights the need for reliable animal models that accurately mimic social stress-induced maladaptations, thus, allowing the experimental study of the etiology of such disorders. Prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), known for their human-like bi-parental behavior and monogamous partner preferences, are a relevant model for the study of stress-induced psychopathologies. For this reason, in this dissertation, I examined whether exposing voles to the social defeat stress (SDS) paradigm, an experimental approach that captures bullying behavior, would result in both depression and anxiety-related profiles. To do this, experimental …

Atypical Morphometry And Connectivity Of The Cortico-Striatal-Thalamo-Cortical Circuit In Children And Adolescents With Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Population At Ultra-High Risk For Developing Obsessive-Compulsive And Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Amanda I. Rowan

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder associated with serious medical, cognitive, and psychiatric conditions, including significantly elevated risk for obsessive-compulsive (OCD) and/or schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SCZ). The cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) neural circuit is critical for cognitive and emotional processing. Dysfunction of the CSTC circuit is implicated in the etiopathology of both OCD and SCZ but has not been specifically examined in individuals with 22q11.2DS. This study used structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), along with standardized psychological and cognitive measures, to investigate atypical morphometry and white matter connectivity within CSTC-related brain regions in …