Student Research Forum Archives
The University of Kansas Medical Center Graduate Student Council, Faculty Research Committee, and Graduate Studies hold a Student Research Forum each spring. The purposes of the forum are:
- To provide students with practical experience in all aspects of oral presentation of research to audiences with a scientific background
- To recognize outstanding student research in the Schools of Allied Health, Graduate Studies, Medicine, and Nursing
- To assist students and faculty in keeping abreast of the various research activities in progress throughout the University of Kansas Medical Center
Visit the Student Research Forum web site
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Hertzig, Lindsay (July 7, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Docosohexaenoic acid (DHA; 226n-3) is an omega-3 fatty acid critical for normal brain function. DHA in humans is incorporated late in gestation and postnatally, during periods of rapid brain development. We hypothesized altered brain DHA levels in developing rats would correlate with altered neural function at maturity. We asked 1) if low brain DHA levels during gestation and development would yield changes in sensory cortex responsiveness at maturity, and 2) whether such changes could be reversed if the diet was supplemented with DHA at different developmental ages. Long-Evans rats were raised from conception on diets deficient or replete (controls) in alpha-linolenic acid (DHA precursor). The deficient diet in three additional groups of animals was supplemented with 4% DHA at one of three ages (P0-P35, P35-P70, or continuously after P21). After 90 days of age, monocular light flashes evoked activity of retina and visual cortex. Responses to stimuli of graded intensities were evaluated across diet conditions. Weight gain during development and composition of brain fatty acids also were determined. All diets yielded similar retinal responses. The deficient diet enhanced visual cortex responses relative to the control diet, particularly in the portion of the response 100 – 300 ms after stimulus delivery. Extended periods of DHA supplementation reversed these changes; reversal did not occur with shorter periods of supplementation. These findings suggest increased cortical excitability related to suboptimal brain DHA levels may be addressed by supplementing the diet with DHA, but an extended period of supplementation may be required. (funding: Lied Foundation) Description: Neuroscience IV Room 1028 Dykes 4:00 PM Abstract 164 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2271/182 Files in this item: 1
04_00_Hertzig_164.ppt (2.806Mb) -
Doerflinger, Melanie (July 7, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by an expanded trinucleotide repeat in the fragile X mental retardation gene (FMR1). Premutation alleles (55-200 CGG repeats) of FMR1 are known to contribute to the fragile X phenotype through genetic instability and transmission of full mutation alleles (>200 repeats) to offspring. There is now mounting evidence that the premutation alleles themselves contribute to clinical involvement, including premature ovarian failure among females and a more recently discovered fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) among older males. Although classic FXTAS is rarer in female carriers than male carriers, females commonly reported muscle pain, weakness, and numbness. The aim of this study was to document the prevalence of these neurological symptoms compared to controls. DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted of premutation females and female controls over a period of 42 months. Data were obtained by reviewing medical charts and documenting self reported neuralgias and symptoms found on neurological exam. RESULTS: Medical charts were reviewed for 105 premutation females and 55 control females. The premutation females reported symptoms of sleep disturbance, muscle pain, numbness, tremor, and diagnoses of fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis more often than control females. Premutation females also showed sensation deficits on neurological exam more often than controls. Ataxia on exam was equal between the two groups. CONCLUSION: There is increased neuralgia reported in female carriers of the premutation FMR1 gene. A better understanding of this may give some indication of the molecular involvement in the carrier status and the function of the FMR1 gene. Description: Neuroscience IV Room 1028 Dykes 3:48 PM Abstract 161 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2271/181 Files in this item: 1
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Onyszchuk, Gregory (July 7, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Each year, traumatic brain injury (TBI) claims over 50,000 lives, and leaves 35% of survivors with long term disabilities. Elderly adults often suffer greater morbidity and mortality from TBI. Despite the large and increasing burden of TBI in the elderly, little research has been done to investigate how old age modulates the mechanisms involved in damage and repair after TBI. In previous work, we established a mouse model of sensorimotor TBI, using a controlled cortical impact (CCI) device, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a simple set of behavioral assessments. We now present data regarding age-related questions, using adult male mice (5-6 months old), and aged male mice (22-24 months old). Preliminary data from MRI indicates that while lesion volumes at 14 days post-injury are similar, the extent of edema at 24 hours may be greater in the aged animals (n=4 adult, n=4 aged), suggesting a greater degree of excitoxicity or inflammation. Preliminary data from coronal brain sections stained with the anionic fluorescein Fluoro-Jade B (n=3 adult, n=3 aged), a marker for degenerating neurons, indicate increased damage to hippocampal structures in the aged group, suggesting increased vulnerability of these neurons in the aged brain. Behavioral evaluations (n=8 adult, n=5 aged) show trends towards greater Rotarod deficits in the old animals, and greater deficits in forelimb footfaults in the gridwalk test. Differences in behavioral outcome, MRI and extent of cell death will allow assessment of mechanistic hypotheses. Description: Neuroscience IV Room 1028 Dykes 3:36 PM Abstract 180 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2271/180 Files in this item: 1
03_36_Onyszchuk_180.ppt (2.635Mb) -
Parab, Shweta (July 7, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Background: It has been shown that people with lesions of the basal ganglia including Parkinson’s disease (PD) have impaired procedural learning, but the functional significance of this deficit is uncertain. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of procedural learning impairment to the functional ability in people with PD. The role of executive functions, age, disease severity, medications, and education was also studied. Methods: Sequence learning (motor and spatial), as a measure of procedural learning, was measured in 40 participants with PD (H&Y stages 1-4) using a serial reaction time task (SRTT) in two sessions across two days. Reaction time and number of errors made were recorded. In addition to the sequence learning, their executive functions and instrumental activities of daily (IADLs) were also assessed. Results: Motor sequence learning did not contribute significantly to the functional abilities in the participants. Demographics as measured by age, disease severity, medications and education accounted for 60% of variance in IADLs p < .001. Participants showed general learning and retention of the task however they did not show evidence of either spatial or motor sequence learning. Practical Implications: The sequencing deficits seen in PD do not translate to their real-life ability to perform IADLs. Description: Neuroscience IV Room 1028 Dykes 3:24 PM Abstract 158 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2271/179 Files in this item: 1
03_24_Parab_158.ppt (238.0Kb) -
Hansen, Philip (July 7, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Through the use of Schistosoma mansoni antigens we attempted to develop a non-invasive assay that would diagnose an infection of intestinal schistosomiasis. We isolated parts of the Schistosoma mansoni parasite shed during its infestation of the host (e.g. skin, eggs, tegument, circulating cathoiodic antigen [CCA], circulating aniodic antigen [CAA]) from the urine of infected individuals to develop mono-clonal antibodies against the parasite. The antibodies would be used in dipstick assays to detect the presence of S. mansoni antigens in the urine of infected people. The assay can be a valuable tool in field for the diagnoses of schistosomiasis without the need for bulky lab equipment. Quick, sensitive and easy to use, the dipstick assay requires no formal training in its application. Description: Neuroscience IV Room 1028 Dykes 3:00 PM Abstract 208 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2271/178 Files in this item: 1
03_00_Hansen_208.ppt (548.3Kb)
