Pelin Cengiz, MD – Slide of the Week

Title: ERα Signaling Is Required for TrkB-Mediated Hippocampal Neuroprotection in Female Neonatal Mice after Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Legend: Increases in p-TrkB immuno and protein expressions are sexually differentiated and ERα dependent post-HI. A. Changes in MAP2 and p-TrkBY515 immunoexpression in the CL and IL hippocampi of ERα+/+ and ERα-/- P9 male and female mice were …

Study finds a key to nerve regeneration

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have found a switch that redirects helper cells in the peripheral nervous system into “repair” mode, a form that restores damaged axons. Axons are long fibers on neurons that transmit nerve impulses. The peripheral nervous system, the signaling network outside the brain and spinal cord, has some ability to …

Anita Bhattacharyya, PhD

Title: Creation of a human reporter stem cell line for detecting fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene reactivation in human neural cells. Legend: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and a major genetic cause of autism. FXS is caused by mutational trinucleotide expansion in the FMR1 gene leading …

A rare gift: Family endows professorship in memory of children

In their photographs, Jenni and Kyle Geurkink look like happy, healthy children. Jenni has a captivating smile and a twinkle in her eyes. Kyle is a sturdy toddler who loves brooms, mops and any occasion to laugh. First Christmases, first birthdays, first playtimes with cousins—these are just a few of the images of Jenni and …

Barbara Bendlin, PhD

Title: Age-dependent differences in brain tissue microstructure assessed with neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging Legend: Healthy brain aging involves substantial changes to the structures that “wire up” the brain, including myelinated axons and dendritic connections. However, these changes and their impact on memory and other thinking skills are often difficult to measure in living …

Jennifer Asmus, PhD

Title: Presence, Proximity, and Peer Interactions of Adolescents with Severe Disabilities in General Education Classrooms Legend: Percentage of students with severe disabilities who are present in the general education classroom and in proximity to peers without severe disabilities by percentage of elapsed time in the class period. Citation: Feldman, R.L., Carter, E.W., Brock, M.E., & …

Summer research: From Appleton to Madison

This summer, three students from Lawrence University exchanged the Fox River for Lake Mendota and became temporary Badgers. They were part of a pilot program designed to provide Lawrence undergraduates the opportunity to work with researchers at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison. With support from grants from Lawrence University, Katie Taber, Anna Kim and …

Karla Ausderau, PhD

Title: Sensory Subtypes and Associated Outcomes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Legend: Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale 2nd Edition- adaptive behavior composite score, domains, and maladaptive score by sensory subtype (Mild Subtype, Sensitive-Distressed Subtype, Attenuated-Preoccupied Subtype, and Extreme-Mixed Subtype). Parenting Stress Index 3rd Edition, Short Form- total score, parental distress, difficult child, and parent/child dysfunctional …

Andy Alexander, PhD

Title:  Investigating the Microstructural Correlation of White Matter in Autism Spectrum Disorder Legend: Graphical visualization (‘connectogram’) of brain white matter networks of the examined typically developing (TD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) groups. Individual white matter tracts were broadly grouped by region (outside labels), while the individual tract is indicated by the inside of the …

A case of (peripheral) nerves

Every day, Waisman Center researcher John Svaren deals with nerves – peripheral nerves, that is. Peripheral nerves connect the brain and spinal cord to our limbs and organs, serving as vital communication relays that allow us to sense and respond to the world around us. “These nerves are really interesting because they contain some of …