Neuroscience and Neurobiology Commons^™

Insights Into The Molecular Roles Of Foxr2 In The Pathology Of Primary Pediatric Brain Tumors, Rajendra Gharbaran

Publications and Research

Forkhead box gene R2 (FOXR2) belongs to the family of FOX genes which codes for highly conserved transcription factors (TFs) with critical roles in biological processes ranging from development to organogenesis to metabolic and immune regulation to cellular homeostasis. A number of FOX genes are associated with cancer development and progression and poor prognosis. A growing body of evidence suggests that FOXR2 is an oncogene. Studies suggested important roles for FOXR2 in cancer cell growth, metastasis, and drug resistance. Recent studies showed that FOXR2 is overexpressed by a subset of newly identified entities of embryonal tumors. This review discusses the …

Invariant Object Recognition In Deep Neural Networks And Humans, Haider Al-Tahan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Invariant object recognition, a cornerstone of human vision, enables recognizing objects despite variations in rotations, positions, and scales. To emulate human-like generalization across object transformations, computational models must perform well in this aspect. Deep neural networks (DNNs) are popular models for human ventral visual stream processing, though their alignment with human performance remains inconsistent. We examine object recognition across transformations in human adults and pretrained feedforward DNNs. DNNs are grouped in model families by architecture, visual diet, and learning goal. We focus on object rotation in depth, and observe that object recognition performance is better preserved in humans than in …

Sex Differences In Stress Reactivity, Brain Morphology, And Oxytocin In The Hypothalamus Of The Gray Short-Tailed Opossum (Monodelphis Domestica), Esperanza I. Zacarias, Daniela Rodriguez, Alexandra Chalons, Sasawan Heingraj, Nicole Altamirano, Joseph Rafac, John L. Vandeberg, Mario Gil

Research Colloquium

Understanding the effects of stress on behavior and cognition is important due to its impact on mental health and wellbeing (Schneiderman et al. 2005). Translational animal research can contribute to the development of new treatments that can improve therapeutic outcomes and our understanding of the neurobiology of stress. In the present study, we complement behavioral stress reactivity with immunohistochemical localization of oxytocin in the hypothalamus, a neuropeptide that regulates stress (Neumann & Slattery, 2016). Oxytocin has potential therapeutic use for mental health disorders (Neumann & Slattery, 2016), and the effects of oxytocin seem to be sexually dimorphic (Love, 2018). Using …

A Multi-Modal Imaging Analysis Of Inter-Community Hub Nodes In Subjective Cognitive Decline Linking Longitudinal Hub Function Disruption To White Matter Integrity Kurtosis, Duncan Nowling

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) has garnered much interest as a potential identifiable preclinical stage and indicator of risk for cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD). Identification of individuals in this stage though is difficult, as they present with objectively normal cognitive evaluation scores, relying instead upon self-report of concern about decline in cognitive abilities. The use of non-invasive in-vivo imaging methods like BOLD functional imaging and diffusion tensor have allowed for complex mapping of both the functional and structural network features unique to this condition. This study furthers this network biomarker map of SCD by investigating the …

Specialized Late Cingulo-Opercular Network Activation Elucidates The Mechanisms Underlying Decisions About Ambiguity, Jordan E. Pierce, Nathan M. Petro, Elizabeth Clancy, Caterina Gratton, Steven E. Petersen, Maital Neta

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty and Staff Publications

Cortical task control networks, including the cingulo-opercular (CO) network play a key role in decision-making across a variety of functional domains. In particular, the CO network functions in a performance reporting capacity that supports successful task performance, especially in response to errors and ambiguity. In two studies testing the contribution of the CO network to ambiguity processing, we presented a valence bias task in which masked clearly and ambiguously valenced emotional expressions were slowly revealed over several seconds. This slow reveal task design provides a window into the decision-making mechanisms as they unfold over the course of a trial. In …

Investigating Monodelphis Domestica As An Alternative To The Mus Musculus As An Animal Model, Cristian M. Botello, John L. Vandeberg, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Mus Musculus is one of the first and one of the most widely used animal models in current neuroscience literature (Phifer-Riley & Nachmann, 2015). However, the research community needs alternatives to rodent models to study the mammalian brain. Research is needed to see if antibodies that target tyrosine hydroxylase, which are well researched in mice, can also be used to study the Monodelphis domestica brain.

Methods: Following transcardial perfusions and brain extractions, mouse and opossum brains were processed and stained for tyrosine hydroxylase (and with Nissl). Opossum brains will then be sliced and processed using IHC methods to compare …

Cyclophosphamide And Epirubicin Induce Apoptotic Cell Death In Microglia Cells, Rafael De La Hoz-Camacho

Research Symposium

Background. Chemotherapy Related Cognitive Impairment’s (CRCI), diminish patient’s quality life, being breast cancer (BC) patients the most affected. Microglia is described to play a major role in CRCI; hence, the aim of this research was to describe the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide (CTX) and Epirubicin (EPI), on microglia (SIM-A9), compared to BC cells (4T1).

Methods. We assessed cell viability (Resazurin) and cell death (AnnV), as well as nuclear damage with γ-H2AX, p53, p16 and cell cycle analysis (PI staining) by flow cytometry (FC). Furthermore, we evaluated ΔΨm (DIOC6), ROS (DCFDA) and NO (DAF-FM) production. Finally, caspase activation (TF2-VAD-FMK) and autophagy (CYTO-ID). …

The Eyes Beyond The Screen: Digital Media Policy And Child Health, Yahia Al-Qudah

Research Symposium

Background: Modern communication technology and digital media have provided society with a foundation for instant messaging. Pictures, videos, and texts connect individuals with families, friends, and the world. Consequently, digital media has accelerated exposure to risk in which children and adolescents are most vulnerable. This project’s objective is to 1) congregate and highlight current knowledge about the impact of digital media on child health, and 2) underline deficiencies in related laws and regulations as well as offer solutions in digital media policy.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted through the JAMA Pediatrics database with keywords such as “digital media,” …

Cortical Activation During Mobility In An Indoor Real-World Environment: A Mobile Eeg Study, Sam Marshall

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Human mobility requires neurocognitive inputs to safely navigate the environment. Previous research has examined neural processes that underly walking using mobile neuroimaging technologies, yet few studies have incorporated true real-world methods without a specific task imposed on participants (e.g., dual-task, motor demands). The present study utilized mobile electroencephalography to examine and compare theta, alpha, and beta frequency band power (μV2) in young adults during sitting and walking in laboratory and real-world environments. Our findings support that mobility and environment may modulate neural activity, as we observed increased brain activation for walking compared to sitting, and for real-world walking compared to …

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid In The Midbrain: Role In Sensation, Perception, And Neurological Disorders, Truc Le, Cristian Botello, John Vandeberg, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Altered GABA expression in the midbrain is associated with neurological conditions like epilepsy and Parkinson’s Disease. In the genetically epilepsy prone rat, an increase in GABA neurons in the inferior colliculus increases seizure susceptibility. In contrast, Parkinson’s Disease is associated with altered GABA expression in the substantia nigra. The purpose of this study is to identify patterns between the sensory and motor regions of the midbrain and to quantify a baseline of GABA neurons in these areas.

Methods: The Allen Institute’s reference atlas of the mouse and BrainMap.org was used to identify the sensory and motor areas of the …

Palmitoylation As A Regulator Of Maguk Proteins Postsynaptic Localization, Rozena Shirvani-Arani, Santiago Balderas, Yonghong Zhang, Xioaqian Fang

Research Symposium

Synaptic plasticity is the ability of the brain to make changes and the changes occur at synapses. To achieve the complicated functions, a good number of proteins are present at synapse and are called synaptic proteins. To stabilize these proteins at synapses, proteins are modified through posttranslational modifications (PTMs). The most studied PTMs include phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, palmitoylation, etc. Palmitoylation is a type of lipid modification and has received more attention recently for its contribution to protein trafficking, localization, and interaction in various synaptic plasticity. The membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family includes PSD-95, PSD-93 (also known as chapsyn-110), SAP102, …

Understanding The Resources, Barriers, Facilitators And Interests About Aging And Dementia Research Of Community Members From The Rio Grande Valley, Karla Daniela Lopez Lorenzo, Rosa V. Pirela Mavarez, Gabriela Osuna, Kendra Stine, Nahalie Chacon De Alvarez, Noe Garza, Gladys E. Maestre

Research Symposium

Background: One of ten people aged 65 develops Alzheimer’s Disease and it is one of the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is mostly constituted by Hispanic/Latinos (93%), a population that has a 1.5X increased risk of AD onset. Nevertheless, there are not enough resources to support people living with dementia and their care partners. This study will leverage research efforts deployed by the RGV Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research to understand the social representations about the resources, barriers, facilitators, and interests of the RGV community about dementia and Alzheimer’s …

Prenatal Cafeteria Diet Exposure Promotes Lymphocyte Infiltration Into The Brain And Autism-Like Behavior In The Offspring Of C57bl6 Mice, José Alfredo Castillo Luna, Martín García Juárez, Diana Reséndez Pérez, Alberto Camacho Morales

Research Symposium

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with an array of etiological causes, including environmental, genetic, and immunological triggers. High-energy diets activate the immune system during prenatal stages favoring infiltration of peripheral immune cells and cytokines into the brain by the choroid plexus and circumventricular regions and altering microglial activity. Accumulation of immune entities and microglia activation in brain have been reported to disrupt social behavior. However, the interplay between prenatal exposure to high-energy diets, neuroinflammation and defective social behavior has not been reported.

Methods: Female C57BL6 mice were exposed to cafeteria diet during pregnancy and lactation. The …

Differential Cortical Monoamines Release During Exercise In Rats Chronically Implanted With Microdialysis Probes, Christine G. Gerin

Research Symposium

Physical exercise is known to positively influence mood, to reduce anxiety and to improve reaction to stress. Cerebral monoaminergic systems are thought to underly the neurochemical influence of exercise on mood and behavior. We hypothesized that beneficial effects of exercise can be shown by variations of neurotransmitters release in the cerebral cortex. We aimed at demonstrating that there is a temporal relationship between release of plasma and cerebral monoamines (A, NA, 5-HT, DA) and spontaneous running exercise in rats. Ten Spague Dawley rats (250 g) were chronically implanted (for up to 39 days) with a left common carotid cannula and …

Editorial: Sex Differences In The Neurobiology Of Drug Relapse Vulnerability, Daniel F Manvich, Jessica A Loweth, Wendy J Lynch, Jayme R Mcreynolds

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Neural Sequalae Of Subjectively Experiencing Autobiographical Memories From The Remote Past And Recent Present Using Fmri, Ava G. Peruski, Nim Singh, Brendan E. Depue

The Cardinal Edge

Autobiographical memory is central to one's sense of self and continuity from past to present. Despite this, there is little research on the neural correlates underlying individual subjective experience of autobiographical memory and how that is related to brain phenomena (i.e., activity, communication). The purpose of this study was to help minimize this gap. We recruited twenty healthy adult participants, who were asked to generate memory cues (1-3 word descriptions) for locations and objects from their early and recent life. After 24 hours, participants were shown these cues then asked to recall the appropriate memory while in an fMRI scanner. …

All-Cause And Opioid-Related Mortality Compared Between Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury And The Us General Population, Jaden Whitehead, Beatrice Ugiliweneza

The Cardinal Edge

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are susceptible to the misuse of opioids due to the introduction of these substances for pain management. There are very few studies examining the relationship between unintentional deaths caused by opioid usage following spinal cord injury. The objective of this study was to evaluate the trend of opioid-related mortality of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) over the years and compare these findings to the mortality rates due to opioid misuse in the general population. In this study, we used data provided by the National Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (NSCIMS) for SCI 1999-2016 …

Selective Recruitment Of Cerebellum In Cognition, Ladan Shahshahani

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Previous studies of cerebellar function in humans have shown that it is activated by a myriad of tasks ranging from motor learning and language to working memory and more. These studies have prompted a deviation from the traditional view of the cerebellum as a purely motor structure. However, the precise contribution of the cerebellum to these tasks remains ambiguous.

A prevalent assumption in fMRI studies is interpreting BOLD activation as evidence of the cerebellum's involvement in specific tasks. However, this interpretation is potentially misleading, especially considering that the BOLD signal predominantly represents cerebellar input, with output activity largely absent. Consequently, …

Modelling Prenatal Hypoxia As A Risk Factor For Schizophrenia Vulnerability In Patient-Derived Cerebral Organoids, Dana M. Gummerson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Prenatal hypoxia during fetal development is a significant environmental risk factor linked to schizophrenia (SCZ) vulnerability. However, hypoxia’s impact on human brain development at the cellular level remains unclear. Our laboratory has developed human cerebral organoids using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from healthy control or SCZ patient cell lines to address these questions. This creates a platform that allows for the investigation into the pathophysiology of SCZ and hypoxia in tandem. Organoids were exposed to hypoxic conditions at one month of development, mimicking the early stages of cortical growth in the human fetus. Results reveal innate differences in …

Post-Activation Performance Enhancement Through Variable Loading Maintains Power Output Over Five Sets In Highly Trained Athletes, Robert Rocanelli, Morgan Siegel, Pedro Yunes, Pete Bommarito, Monique Mokha

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

The goal was to examine the acute effects of five sets of variable loading (VL) on the post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) response during a live training session in highly trained athletes. PAPE is the phenomenon where acute improvements in power production in light loaded movements occur post near maximal loaded muscle contraction. PAPE may be induced with VL where resistance in the form of chains or bands is added to the bar as it displaces in the concentric phase. Participants were American football players from a variety of field positions (n=12, height =188 ± 0.01 cm, total body mass = …