Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons^™

Effects Of Social Isolation On Locus Coeruleus Opioid Receptor Expression And Affective Behavior, John Tkaczynski, Jordan Riser, Maya Patel, Nicole Shellenbarger, Jin Park, Daniel Manvich, Daniel J Chandler

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Social isolation is a stressor that impairs homeostatic neuroendocrine functions and is associated with the development of several mood disorders characterized by persistent negative affect. Persistent feelings of loneliness have been growing public health concerns for several years and were greatly exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem has grown so severe the U.S. Surgeon General recently declared loneliness to be an epidemic health concern that is associated with poor mental and somatic health outcomes. Therefore, identifying mechanisms of neuroadaptation that contribute to the development of persistent negative affect is a critical step in the identifying better …

Protocol And Design Of The Repose Study: A Double-Blinded, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial To Evaluate The Efficacy Of Suvorexant To Improve Postoperative Sleep And Reduce Delirium Severity In Older Patients Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery, John Michael Fallon, Mona Hashemaghaie, Christy E. Peterson, Dieplinh Tran, Sophie R. Wu, Jonathan M. Valdes, Nicole M. Pedicini, Melissa E. Adams, Marjorie Soltis, Wissam Mansour, Mary Cooter Wright, Karthik Raghunathan, Miriam M. Treggiari, Cina Sasannejad, Michael J. Devinney

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative delirium occurs in up to 40% of older surgical patients and has been associated with prolonged hospital stays, long-term cognitive impairment and increased 1-year postoperative mortality. Postoperative sleep disturbances may increase the risk of delirium, but studies investigating pharmacotherapies to improve postoperative sleep to prevent delirium remain limited. Suvorexant is a selective antagonist of orexin 1 and 2 receptors and is approved for insomnia pharmacotherapy by the Food and Drug Administration. It has the potential to improve postoperative sleep and reduce postoperative delirium rates, but randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to determine the efficacy of postoperative suvorexant …

Impact Of Acute Stress On Circadian Rhythm Regulation Of Locomotor Activity In Syrian Hamsters, Raquel A. Villarreal, Laura E. Garcia, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Disruptions of circadian rhythms, caused by factors such as environmental changes or stress, are linked to health conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and mood disorders. Circadian rhythm disturbances are particularly relevant for understanding the etiology of conditions like insomnia, depression, and anxiety. The circadian rhythm, primarily regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus, coordinates biological processes to align with daily environmental cycles. Acute stress, especially when experienced immediately upon waking, has been shown to disrupt these rhythms, impair sleep regulation, and exacerbate mood dysregulation. Given the significant clinical implications, understanding how stress impacts circadian rhythms is …

Narcissistic Personality Indicators As Predictors Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: A Cross-Cultural Study, Wael M. F. Abuhassan, Brigid Unim, Zulfiqar Ullah Siddiqui, Shaheen Falki, Karavadi Vidusha, Fayez Mahamid, Fakher Nabeel Mohammad Khalili, Kamel H. Katalo

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Background: Individuals affected by narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are characterized by lack of empathy, grandiosity, low self-esteem, and a need for attention and special treatment that leads to unstable interpersonal relationships, occupational problems, and significant psychosocial distress. Objectives: The study aims to evaluate which Narcissistic Personality (NP) dimensions are the strongest and most significant predictors of NPD. Methods: The present study followed a cross-cultural research design aimed at determining the strongest and most significant predictors of NPD, therefore the shortened version of the Narcissistic Personality Indicators (NPI) questionnaire (NPI-40) developed by Raskin and Terry (1988) was administered online to those …

Just As Expected? Older Adults’ Aging Expectations Are Associated With Subjective Cognition, Nikki Hill, Sakshi Bhargava, Justin Do, Emily Bratlee-Whitaker, Monique Brown, Renata Komalasari, Rachel Wu, Jacqueline Mogle

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between older adults' expectations regarding aging and subjective cognition. Specifically, we examined whether the three domains of aging expectations (physical health, mental health, and cognitive function) were associated with two aspects of subjective cognition: current subjective cognition and subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

METHOD: An online survey was conducted among U.S. adults aged 65-90 (N = 581; M_age=71.4, SD ± 4.81; 51% female). Measures included the 12-item Expectations Regarding Aging scale, the 8-item PROMIS Cognitive Abilities scale (current subjective cognition), and the 12-item Everyday Cognition scale (SCD). We used generalized linear models …

Alcohol And Cannabis Use For Pain Management: Translational Findings Of Relative Risks, Benefits, And Interactions, Sumin Lee, Scott Edwards

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Chronic pain affects over 20% of the global population and contributes to the vast burden of psychiatric illness. While effective treatments for chronic pain remain limited, both alcohol and cannabis have been used for centuries to manage pain and closely associated negative affective symptoms. However, persistent misuse of alcohol and/or cannabis in such a negative reinforcement fashion is hypothesized to increase the risk of severity of substance use disorders (SUDs). The current review describes neurobiological evidence for the analgesic efficacy of alcohol and primary cannabis constituents and how use or co-use of these substances may influence SUD risk.

Accuracy Of Task-Based Electrocorticography Brain Mapping And Relationships With Postoperative Cognitive-Linguistic Changes Following Eloquent Glioma Resection, Kyle R. Noll, Israt Tasnim, Priscella Asman, Katherine Connelly, Chandra Swamy, Matthew Muir, Mathew Hall, Jeffrey Wefel, Sahil Bajaj, Giuseppe Pellizzer, Nuri F. Ince, Suji S. Prabhu

Cancer Survivorship Research Retreat

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 2025 Cancer Survivorship Research Retreat

Long-Acting Injectables: A Strategy To Mitigate Nonadherence In Bipolar Disorder, Justin Faden, Elina Maymind

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

No abstract provided.

Breaking Down The Choice: Exploring The Journey Of Decisions, Alex Kim

CAFE Symposium 2025

This project explores the decision-making process by examining how various regions of the brain contribute to choices and their outcomes. By analyzing the interplay between cognitive and emotional factors, it aims to provide insights into how individuals can make decisions that align with their goals and values, reducing regret and enhancing overall happiness. The findings offer practical strategies for improving personal and professional decision-making.

Otolaryngology Practitioner Attitudes Toward Human Papillomavirus Vaccination In Academic Otolaryngology Clinics, Dante J. Merlino, Katelyn S. Rourk, George B. Sankar, Adam J. Luginbuhl, Brian J. Boyce, Michelle M. Chen, Eric M. Dowling, Michael C. Topf, Raymond L. Chai, Karthik Rajasekaran, Eric J. Moore, Daniel L. Price, George Saieed, Kathryn M. Van Abel

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Despite the existence of a highly effective and safe vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, vaccination rates remain low. The most prevalent HPV-associated malignancy in the United States is oropharyngeal cancer, but otolaryngology practitioners do not offer the HPV vaccine, and their feelings around offering HPV vaccination have not been evaluated. A 43-question survey, including a twelve-question knowledge quiz, was sent to otolaryngology practitioners at seven academic institutions. Twelve questions comprised a knowledge quiz testing practitioner understanding of HPV, while the remainder of the questions evaluated comfort with and likelihood of recommending vaccination. Of the 442 practitioners who were sent …

Probing For Intentions: The Early Readiness Potential Does Not Reflect Awareness Of Motor Preparation, Jake Gavenas, Aaron Schurger, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Voluntary actions are typically preceded by the readiness potential (RP), a negative midfrontal electroencephalography (EEG) deflection that begins ~2 s before movement. What cognitive and neural process the RP reflects and how it relates to conscious intention remain unclear due to conflicting findings. We investigated the neural basis and cognitive significance of the RP in a novel probe-based paradigm. Contrary to prior reports, we found that pre-probe RP buildups were not related to reported awareness of motor preparation. Computational modeling suggested that the best explanation for these results is via metacognitive access to stochastic accumulation. Reported preparation was also related …

Ethnic Disparities In Hba1c And Hypoglycemia Among Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Beyond Access To Technology, Social Deprivation And Mean Blood Glucose, J. Pemberton, Zhide Fang, Stuart Chalew, S. Uday

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Introduction The UK national pediatric diabetes audit reports higher HbA1c for children and young people (CYP) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) of Black ethnicity compared with White counterparts. This is presumably related to higher mean blood glucose (MBG) due to lower socioeconomic status (SES) and less access to technology. We aimed to determine if HbA1c ethnic disparity persists after accounting for the above variables. Research design and methods A retrospective analysis of participants who received structured education in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use was conducted at a tertiary center. HbA1c was paired with glucose metrics from 90-day CGM data. The …

Fos Expression In The Periaqueductal Gray, But Not The Ventromedial Hypothalamus, Is Correlated With Psychosocial Stress-Induced Cocaine-Seeking Behavior In Rats, Nicole M Hinds, Ireneusz D Wojtas, Desta M Pulley, Stephany J Mcdonald, Colton D Spencer, Milena Sudarikov, Nicole E Hubbard, Colin M Kulick-Soper, Samantha De Guzman, Sara Hayden, Jessica J Debski, Bianca Patel, Douglas P Fox, Daniel F Manvich

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Psychosocial stressors are known to promote cocaine craving and relapse in humans but are infrequently employed in preclinical relapse models. Consequently, the underlying neural circuitry by which these stressors drive cocaine seeking has not been thoroughly explored. Using Fos expression analyses, we sought to examine whether the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) or periaqueductal gray (PAG), two critical components of the brain's hypothalamic defense system, are activated during psychosocial stress-induced cocaine seeking. Adult male and female rats self-administered cocaine (0.5 mg/kg/inf IV, fixed-ratio 1 schedule, 2 h/session) over 20 sessions. On sessions 11, 14, 17, and 20, a tactile cue was present …

Training Of Administrative Chief Residents: Report Of The Association Of Program Directors In Surgery Chief Resident Workshop, Katharine Caldwell, Dakota Thompson, Jasmine Walker, Threshia Malcom, David Faber, Jahnavi Srinivasan, Julia Shelton, Jasmeet Paul

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Surgical administrative chief residents (ACRs) play essential roles in residency training programs, including resident advocates, conflict negotiators, and scheduling managers. Despite their varied and important jobs, surgical ACRs receive very little training or introduction to the role.

DESIGN: We describe here the creation and implementation of an Administrative Chief Resident Workshop developed for the Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS) to familiarize chief residents with their roles in scheduling and conflict negotiation.

SETTING: The workshop was implemented at the National APDS Meeting in 2024.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 65 rising ACRs from residency programs across the United Status.

RESULTS: …

Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical Experts-Integration, Training, And Testing (Adapt-Itt) Framework To Tailor Evidence-Based Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment For People With Hiv To Enhance Engagement And Adherence: Qualitative Results From A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial, Cristina M. Lopez, Angela D. Moreland, Stephanie Amaya, Erin Bisca, Christin Mujica, Tayler Wilson, Nathaniel Baker, Lauren Richey, Allison Ross Eckard, Patricia A. Resick, Steven A. Safren, Carla Kmett Danielson

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Individuals with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and HIV are at high-risk for negative HIV-related outcomes, including low adherence to antiretroviral therapy, faster disease progression, more hospitalizations, and almost twice the rate of death. Despite high rates of PTSD in persons with HIV (PWH) and poor HIV-related health outcomes associated with PTSD, an effective evidence-based treatment for PTSD symptoms in PWH does not exist. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the adaptation and theater testing of an evidence-based intervention designed for people with co-occurring PTSD and HIV. METHODS: The Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical experts-integration, Training, and Testing (ADAPT-ITT) …

Empirically Validating A Computational Model Of Automatic Behavior Shaping, Vincent Berardi, Tian Lan, Ariane Guirguis, Uri Maoz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Mobile sensing technology allows automated behavior shaping routines to be incorporated into health behavior interventions and other settings. In previous work, a computational model was built to investigate how to best arrange automatic behavior shaping procedures, but the degree to which this model reflects actual human behavior is not known.

Purpose

To translate a previously developed computational model of automatic behavior shaping into an experimental setting.

Methods

Participants (n = 54) operated a computer mouse and attempted to locate a hidden, randomly-placed target circle on a blank computer screen and clicks within some threshold distance of the target …

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Healing Through Storytelling And Mindful Narrative Therapy, Julie Kemp

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This study presents research about the nature and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the mental and physical impacts to individuals exposed to ACEs, and incorporating mindfulness practices into therapeutic approaches to treating them, particularly Mindfulness-Based Narrative Therapy (MBNT). It is important because ACEs have become a global crisis, with the potential for interfering with psychological and physical development, early mortality, and other harmful life outcomes. This thesis provides critical information for mindfulness teachers and practitioners, therapists, educators, regulators, parents, and individuals subjected to ACEs.

The methodology includes extensive literature searches for narrative therapy and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in peer-reviewed …

The Impact Of Self-Management Programming On Gifted Student Perceptions Of Sleep In A Residential Setting, Katie Berger

Staff Publications & Research

Insufficient sleep among high school students has become a pressing concern for its detrimental effects on academic performance, physical health, and mental wellness. This concern is amplified for students living away from their parents in a boarding school setting. The purpose of this action research study was to investigate and improve the sleep experience of gifted secondary students who live with their peers in a residential setting. Two cycles of data collection occurred. Participants in Cycle 1 were gifted secondary students who were enrolled at a residential school, as well as counselors and residential staff employed at the same institution. …

Description Of Implementing A Mail-Based Overdose Education And Naloxone Distribution Program In Community Supervision Settings During Covid-19, Carrie B. Oser, Margaret Louise Mcgladrey, Douglas Oyler, Hannah K. Knudsen, Sharon L. Walsh, Susannah Stitzer, Michael Goetz, Marisa Booty, Erica Hargis, Sarah Johnson, Michele Staton, Patricia R. Freeman

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: This study uses the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation , and Sustainment (EPIS) model to retrospectively describe the mail-based overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) program developed in collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Corrections (DOC) for use in the HEALing Communities Study in Kentucky (HCS-KY) and details the reach of this innovative delivery model.

Methods: HCS-KY is a community-engaged cluster-randomized trial assessing the effects of implementing evidence-based practices, including OEND, on overdose death reduction across 16 communities highly impacted by the opioid epidemic in Kentucky. ⁶ The study launch coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. All coalitions in the 16 HCS-KY …

Representative National Survey On Drug Use During The Covid-19 Stay-At-Home Order In The Usa, Soo-Hoon Lee, Bernadette Cullen, Alidon Athey, Calliope Holingue, Michelle R. Kaufman, Paul Nestadt, Jack Samuels, Tracy Vannorsdall, Phillip Phan

Management Faculty Publications

Objectives This study explores the drug use behaviour in the US general population in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on the relationship between sociopsychological factors, mobility restrictions from March to June 2020 and mental health conditions.

Design A retrospective anonymous online survey representing a cross-section of the US population in 2020.

Setting A qualified panel of 500 000 Qualtrics participants stratified by gender, race, age and geographical region to represent the US population.

Participants 3340 participants voluntarily consented to respond.

Measures Outcome measure for illicit and non-medical use of prescription drugs based on the National …