The auditory brainstem reflex tag-team: panel A is a schematic of the neural connections between two brainstem auditory reflexes, the medial olivocochlear (MOCR) and the middle ear muscle (MEMR) reflex. While we know that the two reflexes work in tandem and at slightly different frequencies and input sound levels, how the activity of one reflex influences the other is poorly understood.
Slide of the Week
Anita Bhattacharyya, PhD – Slide of the Week
To identify mechanisms that lead to neurodevelopmental differences in Down syndrome, we used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from individuals with Down syndrome and differentiated them into progenitors of the cerebral cortex. The progenitors were analyzed by RNA Seq at Day 17 in culture when cells have acquired their positional phenotype.
Barbara B. Bendlin, PhD – Slide of the Week
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a small molecule produced by the metaorganismal metabolism of dietary choline, has been implicated in human disease pathogenesis, including known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), such as metabolic, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disease.
Randolph Ashton, PhD – Slide of the Week
In tissue engineering applications, sacrificial molding of hydrogel monoliths is a versatile technique for creating 3D molds to control tissue morphology. Previous sacrificial templates fabricated by serial processes such as solvent casting and thermal extrusion/fiber drawing can be used to effectively mold internal geometries within rapidly polymerizing, bulk curing hydrogels.
UCEDD – Slide of the Week
Although intervening early can improve child and family outcomes when a child has a developmental disability, most children with developmental delays are not identified prior to school entry. Childcare professionals can play a key role in identifying delays early.
Andrew Alexander, PhD – Slide of the Week
The segmentation of small brain structures like the amygdala is quite challenging in the presence of distorted and abnormal anatomy from major brain injuries.
Daifeng Wang, PhD – Slide of the Week
Strong genetic associations have been found for a number of psychiatric disorders. However, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms remains challenging.
Ari Rosenberg, PhD – Slide of the Week
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests as a heterogeneous set of social, cognitive, motor, and perceptual symptoms. This system-wide pervasiveness suggests that, rather than narrowly impacting individual systems such as affection or vision, autism may broadly alter neural computation.
Xinyu Zhao, PhD – Slide of the Week
Fragile X syndrome results from a loss of the RNA-binding protein fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). How FMRP regulates neuronal development and function remains unclear. Here we show that FMRP-deficient immature neurons exhibit impaired dendritic maturation, altered expression of mitochondrial genes, fragmented mitochondria, impaired mitochondrial function, and increased oxidative stress.
Houri K. Vorperian, PhD – Slide of the Week
The size and shape of human cervical vertebral bodies serve as a reference for measurement or treatment planning in multiple disciplines. It is therefore necessary to understand thoroughly the developmental changes in the cervical vertebrae in relation to the changing biomechanical demands on the neck during the first two decades of life.