Neurosciences Commons^™

Estrogen's Effects On Oxidative Stress Levels In Glial Cells, Jacob J. Dirkman

Theses and Dissertations

A decrease in astrocyte function and viability has been linked to many neurodegenerative diseases, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Previous research indicates that some estrogens may have a positive effect on neuron and astrocyte viability. Estrogens’ effects on the brain are of interest as estrogens are commonly prescribed as hormone replacement therapy to reduce the symptoms of menopause in women. Unfortunately, these effects on are not completely understood. The goal of the project was to discover if estrogen has any protective effect on astrocytes exposed to oxidative stress. We measured the oxidative stress …

The Effects Of Hypohydration On Neurocognitive, Balance, Vestibular Ocular Motor Functions And Mood State, Satoshi Iida

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Inconsistent findings have been observed on the impact of hydration state on cognitive functions. The isolated effect of hypohydration on neurocognitive performance, balance, vestibular ocular motor function and mood outcomes in widely used concussion assessment tools has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate how hypohydration affected the results in concussion testing batteries. A single-blind randomized crossover design was used. Thirteen healthy males (22 ± 4y, 180.9 ± 5.7cm) without history of concussion within the past six months or any condition or disease that could influence outcome measurements participated in this study. Each subject completed concussion …

Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Orchestrates Neuronal Regulation Of The Astrocytic Glutamate-Releasing Mechanism System XC−, Linghai Kong, Rebecca Albano, Aric Madayag, Nicholas Raddatz, John R. Mantsch, Sujean Choi, Doug Lobner, David A. Baker

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Glutamate signaling is achieved by an elaborate network involving neurons and astrocytes. Hence, it is critical to better understand how neurons and astrocytes interact to coordinate the cellular regulation of glutamate signaling. In these studies, we used rat cortical cell cultures to examine whether neurons or releasable neuronal factors were capable of regulating system x_c^-(Sxc), a glutamate-releasing mechanism that is expressed primarily by astrocytes and has been shown to regulate synaptic transmission. We found that astrocytes cultured with neurons or exposed to neuronal-conditioned media displayed significantly higher levels of Sxc activity. Next, we demonstrated that the pituitary …

Examining The Roles Of Gabaa Receptor Subtypes In Anxiety And Anxiolysis: Focusing On The Basolateral Amygdala, Yudong Gao

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The investigation of the differential roles GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR) subtypes play in mediating various behaviors such as fear and anxiety was an intriguing research topic over the past decade. At present, most evidence suggests that benzodiazepine (BZ)-induced anxiolysis is primarily mediated by GABA_ARs containing the α2-subunit (α2-subtype). However, there is conflicting evidence as to whether α1- and α3-subtypes might also be involved in BZ-induced anxiolysis. In an attempt to further discern the role played by different α-subtype GABA_ARs in BZ-induced anxiolysis both systemically and within the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a brain region crucial …

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury With Associated Visual System Dysfunction: Investigating Histopathology, Functional Correlates, And A Novel Therapeutic Immune Modulator, Natalie M. Guley

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Injuries associated with moderate to severe TBI can be profound, and have historically overshadowed the significant impact mild TBI (mTBI) can have on the lives of affected individuals. Mild TBI can manifest in a number of different ways, but one of the most significant and often debilitating is its impact on the visual system. In order to further investigate the underlying pathology of mTBI and test potential therapeutics, we developed a mouse model of mTBI induced by blast overpressure. In this model, a 50-60 psi …

Antibodies To Heterogenous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1 Penetrate Neurons Leading To Multiple Downstream Effects Resulting In Neurodegeneration, Joshua Nathan Douglas

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. MS is believed to occur in genetically susceptible individuals due to an unknown environmental stimulus. MS patients produce autoantibodies to heterogenous nuclear ribonuclearprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), an RNA binding protein (RBP) highly expressed in neurons. hnRNP A1 functions in pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA trafficking, and translation. Furthermore, the anti-hnRNP A1 antibodies are specific to a N-terminal region termed ‘M9’ which serves as a nuclear export sequence/nuclear localization sequence (NES/NLS) responsible for nuclear/cytoplasmic transport of the protein. In this manuscript we will provide data revealing that anti-hnRNP A1 …

Assessing Clinical Significance Of The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment And Cognitive Testing Battery When Comparing Adjusted And Unadjusted Rci Methods For Different Ranges Of Baseline Scores, Ashley N. Figaro

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The growing concern revolving around the dangers of sports-related concussions have led to the most recent implementation of neurocognitive (NC) test batteries as a means to objectively determine the presence of a cognitive defect. Whereas any other sports-related injury can be diagnosed with tools such as an x-ray or MRI, a concussion represents a metabolic disturbance that cannot be identified by these diagnostic tools. Many neurocognitive test batteries employ statistical techniques to derive cut off scores in order to represent significant or insignificant changes as compared to individual baseline scores, or pre-established normative values. If an individuals’ post-injury score exceeds …

Development Of Electrochemical Sensors Suitable For In Vivo Detection For Neurotransmitters, Mengjia Hu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The electrochemical method of redox cycling was exploited to achieve new discoveries in neurotransmitter detection and to advance its suitability toward in vivo use. Redox cycling has advantages in signal amplification, selectivity of species based on their electrochemical reaction mechanisms, and limited or no background subtraction. Distinction of dopamine from norepinephrine in a mixture with an electrochemical method at unmodified electrodes was demonstrated for the first time in vitro. This ability resulted from a series of fundamental studies of redox cycling behavior of the catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) using different electrode configurations. Taking advantage of the ECC’ mechanism associated …

Challenges In Mathematical Cognition: A Collaboratively-Derived Research Agenda, Lara Alcock, Daniel Ansari, Sophie Batchelor, Marie-Josee Bisson, Bert De Smedt, Camilla Gilmore, Silke M. Gobel, Minna Hannula-Sormunen, Jeremy Hodgen, Matthew Inglis, Ian Jones, Michele Mazzocco, Nicole Mcneil, Michael Schneider, Victoria Simms, Keith Weber

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

This paper reports on a collaborative exercise designed to generate a coherent agenda for research on mathematical cognition. Following an established method, the exercise brought together 16 mathematical cognition researchers from across the fields of mathematics education, psychology and neuroscience. These participants engaged in a process in which they generated an initial list of research questions with the potential to significantly advance understanding of mathematical cognition, winnowed this list to a smaller set of priority questions, and refined the eventual questions to meet criteria related to clarity, specificity and practicability. The resulting list comprises 26 questions divided into six broad …

In Synch But Not In Step: Circadian Clock Circuits Regulating Plasticity In Daily Rhythms, Jennifer A. Evans, M. R. Gorman

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is a network of neural oscillators that program daily rhythms in mammalian behavior and physiology. Over the last decade much has been learned about how SCN clock neurons coordinate together in time and space to form a cohesive population. Despite this insight, much remains unknown about how SCN neurons communicate with one another to produce emergent properties of the network. Here we review the current understanding of communication among SCN clock cells and highlight a collection of formal assays where changes in SCN interactions provide for plasticity in the waveform of circadian rhythms in behavior. Future …

Gradenigo Syndrome: A Rare Complication Of Otitis Media, Paul Brent Ferguson, Md

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Gradenigo syndrome is a very rare complication of otitis media that if left unrecognized and subsequently untreated will result in severe neurologic sequelae. Gradenigo Syndrome clinically represented by the triad of otitis media, ipsilateral, abducens nerve palsy and dysasthesia within the V1 and V2 divisions of the trigeminal nerve branches. We describe a 4 year-old patient who presented with headache, facial pain, diplopia and a recent history of upper respiratory tract symptomatology. Examination revealed an abducens palsy with subsequent magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating inflammation in the left petrous apex and along the tracts of the 6^th, 7^{th …}

1st Place Contest Entry: The Effectiveness Of Yoga Therapy On An Adult, Post-Stroke Population: A Systematic Review, Baylor E. Hogan

Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize

This is Baylor Hogan's submission for the 2016 Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize, which won first place. She wrote about the effects of yoga therapy on the physical and mental wellbeing of stroke patients. You can read the final essay that came out of her research here.

Baylor is a senior at Chapman University, majoring in Kinesiology. Her faculty mentor is Dr. Elizabeth DeBaets.

Cell Permeability Studies Of Aapeptides And Novel Molecular Probes For Ad, Ge Bai

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's diseases(AD) has been discovered and under research for more than 70 years, However there is no cure for these progressive and devastating diseases. Based on the following hypothsis: Aß metabolite problem/over production result in the accumulation, and lead to aggregation is the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. AApeptide and Melatonin derivatives can bind to Aß and block the aggregation of β amyloid monomers, decrease the toxicity of Aß to neurons and slow the progressive of Alzheimer’s diseases. In addition, AApeptide which mimic transmembrane peptide Tat will have similar transmembrane function. We have set up our goals as follows: 1) Using …

Gene Expression Profiling In An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Matthew R. Dalton

Senior Honors Theses

Explaining precisely how Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—the world’s most common form of dementia—materializes in the human brain has proven to be one of the most elusive ends in modern medicine. Progressive memory loss, neurodegeneration, and the presence of abnormal protein aggregates of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) characterize this disease. Genome sequencing provides researchers with the ability to better identify disease-related changes in gene expression, some of which may play a role in the initiation and progression toward the AD-like state. Intimate interactions between tissues have been observed in many diseases, particularly between the brain and blood. This analysis seeks …

Functional Plasticity In Somatosensory Cortex Supports Motor Learning By Observing., Heather R Mcgregor, Joshua G A Cashaback, Paul L Gribble

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

An influential idea in neuroscience is that the sensory-motor system is activated when observing the actions of others [1, 2]. This idea has recently been extended to motor learning, in which observation results in sensory-motor plasticity and behavioral changes in both motor and somatosensory domains [3-9]. However, it is unclear how the brain maps visual information onto motor circuits for learning. Here we test the idea that the somatosensory system, and specifically primary somatosensory cortex (S1), plays a role in motor learning by observing. In experiment 1, we applied stimulation to the median nerve to occupy the somatosensory system with …

Propofol-Induced Frontal Cortex Disconnection: A Study Of Resting-State Networks, Total Brain Connectivity, And Mean Bold Signal Oscillation Frequencies., Pieter Guldenmund, Ithabi S Gantner, Katherine Baquero, Tushar Das, Athena Demertzi, Pierre Boveroux, Vincent Bonhomme, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, Marie-Aurélie Bruno, Olivia Gosseries, Quentin Noirhomme, Muriëlle Kirsch, Mélanie Boly, Adrian M Owen, Steven Laureys, Francisco Gómez, Andrea Soddu

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Propofol is one of the most commonly used anesthetics in the world, but much remains unknown about the mechanisms by which it induces loss of consciousness. In this resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined qualitative and quantitative changes of resting-state networks (RSNs), total brain connectivity, and mean oscillation frequencies of the regional blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal, associated with propofol-induced mild sedation and loss of responsiveness in healthy subjects. We found that detectability of RSNs diminished significantly with loss of responsiveness, and total brain connectivity decreased strongly in the frontal cortex, which was associated with increased mean oscillation …

Revising The Bis/Bas Scale To Study Development: Measurement Invariance And Normative Effects Of Age And Sex From Childhood Through Adulthood., David Pagliaccio, Katherine R Luking, Andrey P Anokhin, Ian H Gotlib, Elizabeth P Hayden, Thomas M Olino, Chun-Zi Peng, Greg Hajcak, Deanna M Barch

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Carver and White's (1994) Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) Scales have been useful tools for studying individual differences in reward-punishment sensitivity; however, their factor structure and invariance across development have not been well tested. In the current study, we examined the factor structure of the BIS/BAS Scales across 5 age groups: 6- to 10-year-old children (N = 229), 11- to 13-year-old early adolescents (N = 311), 14- to 16-year-old late adolescents (N = 353), 18- to 22-year-old young adults (N = 844), and 30- to 45-year-old adults (N = 471). Given poor fit of the standard 4-factor model (BIS, …

Exploring Oculomotor Trends In Collegiate Athletes, Brett Whorley, Julie A. Honaker

UCARE: Research Products

Collaborative efforts to improve athlete safety without significantly hindering the rules of the games aim to develop a novel system to better measure and diagnose concussions. Provided that common signs of concussions include blurred vision, distant gaze, and dizziness, the Dizziness and Balance Disorders Lab at UNL believes that the simple oculomotor exam studied in this project may be applied to this procedure. Within the broader goal to better understand the causes, signs, symptoms, and prognosis of concussions, researchers desired to further investigate the results of this oculomotor test. The aim was to identify and interpret correlations between collegiate athlete …

The Neural Encoding Of Cocaine-Induced Devaluation In The Ventral Pallidum, Chung-Lung Chan, Daniel S. Wheeler, Robert A. Wheeler

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Cocaine experience affects motivation structures such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and its major output target, the ventral pallidum (VP). Previous studies demonstrated that both NAc activity and hedonic responses change reliably as a taste cue comes to predict cocaine availability. Here we extended this investigation to examine drug-experience induced changes in hedonic encoding in the VP. VP activity was first characterized in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats in response to intraoral infusions of palatable saccharin and unpalatable quinine solutions. Next, rats received 7 daily pairings of saccharin that predicted either a cocaine (20 mg/kg, ip) or saline injection. Finally, the …

Differential Involvement Of Hippocampal Angiotensin 1 Receptors In Learning And Memory Processes In Bulbectomized Rats, Roman Tashev, Margarita Ivanova, Stiliana Belcheva, Iren Belcheva

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

There is conflicting evidence regarding the effect of AT1 receptor antagonists on learning and memory processes. The effects of angiotensin II and losartan administration into CA1 hippocampal area on the avoidance performance in olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rats using active avoidance (shuttle box) test and passive avoidance (step through) test were investigated. Rats were microinjected unilaterally through implanted guide cannulas into the CA1 area of the dorsal hippocampus and the drugs were administered separately, 5 minutes before each training session. The microinjections of losartan into the left, but not the right CA1 hippocampal area improved the acquisition and retention of active …