WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“The relationship between diffusion heterogeneity and microstructural changes in high-grade gliomas using Monte Carlo simulations” (2022) Magnetic Resonance Imaging The relationship between diffusion heterogeneity and microstructural changes in high-grade gliomas using Monte Carlo simulations(2022) Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 85, pp. 108-120.  Lee, C.-Y.a , Bennett, K.M.b , Debbins, J.P.c , Choi, I.-Y.a d e f , Lee, P.a e f a Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, […]

$15 million gift to strengthen life science education, research across university

A decades-long friendship and a shared passion for basic science has inspired a $15 million gift to the Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) at Washington University in St. Louis to fund undergraduate programs and graduate student fellowships in the life sciences. DBBS’ founding director, P. Roy Vagelos, MD, and his wife, Diana Vagelos, […]

More sleep leads to better grades and well-being

Want good grades? Get a good semester’s sleep. But good sleep, it turns out, is not just about quantity. It’s also about consistency. Research from Tim Bono, PhD, lecturer in psychological and brain sciences in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, found that students who get a good night’s sleep night in […]

WashU Expert: Time to retire daylight saving time

Change is upon us once again. Come the first Sunday of November, we will gain an hour of morning sunlight. The one-hour adjustment to the clock on the wall may not sound dramatic. But our biological clock begs to differ. Take, for example, the members of society blissfully unaware of social time: our youngest children […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Equivalent learning, but unequal participation: Male bumble bees learn comparably to females, but participate in cognitive assessments at lower rates” (2021) Behavioural Processes Equivalent learning, but unequal participation: Male bumble bees learn comparably to females, but participate in cognitive assessments at lower rates (2021) Behavioural Processes, 193, art. no. 104528, . Manning, T.H.a b , Austin, M.W.a b c , MuseMorris, K.a , Dunlap, A.S.a b  a Department […]

Psychotic experiences in children predict genetic risk for mental disorders

So much has happened in the world to cause people to think deeper about their mental well-being and resiliency during difficult times. More than 50% of the population has struggled with a mental health issue at some point in their lives. They can be as disabling as physical conditions and are among the leading causes […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Circadian neurons in the paraventricular nucleus entrain and sustain daily rhythms in glucocorticoids” (2021) Nature Communications Circadian neurons in the paraventricular nucleus entrain and sustain daily rhythms in glucocorticoids (2021) Nature Communications, 12 (1), art. no. 5763, .  Jones, J.R.a b , Chaturvedi, S.a , Granados-Fuentes, D.a , Herzog, E.D.a a Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States b Department of Biology, Texas […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Spectral signature of attentional reorienting in the human brain” (2021) NeuroImage Spectral signature of attentional reorienting in the human brain (2021) NeuroImage, 244, art. no. 118616, .  Spadone, S.a , Betti, V.b c , Sestieri, C.a , Pizzella, V.a , Corbetta, M.d e f , Della Penna, S.a a Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences – and ITAB, Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“A limited number of slices yields comparable results to all slices in foot intrinsic muscle deterioration ratio on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging” (2021) Journal of Biomechanics A limited number of slices yields comparable results to all slices in foot intrinsic muscle deterioration ratio on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (2021) Journal of Biomechanics, 129, art. […]

‘Fight or flight’ – unless internal clocks are disrupted, study in mice shows

For humans and animals, many aspects of normal behavior and physiology rely on the proper functioning of the body’s circadian clocks. Here’s how it’s supposed to work: Your brain sends signals to your body to release different hormones at certain times of the day. For example, you get a boost of the hormone cortisol — nature’s […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“A limited number of slices yields comparable results to all slices in foot intrinsic muscle deterioration ratio on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging” (2021) Journal of Biomechanics A limited number of slices yields comparable results to all slices in foot intrinsic muscle deterioration ratio on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (2021) Journal of Biomechanics, 129, art. […]

McDonnell Foundation awards Roediger $750,000 for memory research

The James S. McDonnell Foundation has awarded $750,000 to Henry “Roddy” Roediger, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. The three-year award will fund the Collective Memory Collaborative, led by Roediger and co-principal investigator James Wertsch, the David R. Francis Distinguished Professor in anthropology […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Is comprehensiveness critical? Comparing short and long format cognitive assessments in preclinical Alzheimer disease” (2021) Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy Is comprehensiveness critical? Comparing short and long format cognitive assessments in preclinical Alzheimer disease (2021) Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy, 13 (1), art. no. 153, .  Hassenstab, J.a b , Nicosia, J.a , LaRose, M.a , Aschenbrenner, A.J.a , Gordon, B.A.b c , Benzinger, T.L.S.c , Xiong, C.a d , Morris, J.C.a a Charles F. and […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Striatal oxidative damages and neuroinflammation correlate with progression and survival of Lewy body and Alzheimer diseases” (2022) Neural Regeneration Research Striatal oxidative damages and neuroinflammation correlate with progression and survival of Lewy body and Alzheimer diseases (2022) Neural Regeneration Research, 17 (4), pp. 867-874.  Li, H., Knight, W., Xu, J. Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, […]

Who’s in cognitive control?

Are you able to start a task and stick with it, all the way through, ignoring the temptations of the internet or the sudden realization that you should probably do the laundry? Or maybe you should be doing something else right this moment? The faculty that allows people to make plans or goals, and carry […]

Sabin Nettles receives SfN Next Generation Award

Sabin Nettles, a neuroscience PhD student in the laboratory of Dr. Harrison Gabel, is the recipient of the Pre-/ Post-Doctoral Next Generation Award from the Society for Neuroscience (SfN). The Next Generation Award recognizes SfN chapter members who have made outstanding contributions to public communication, outreach, and education about neuroscience through activities such as classroom […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“The mechanism of Annexin A1 to modulate TRPV1 and nociception in dorsal root ganglion neurons” (2021) Cell and Bioscience The mechanism of Annexin A1 to modulate TRPV1 and nociception in dorsal root ganglion neurons (2021) Cell and Bioscience, 11 (1), art. no. 167, .  Zhang, Y.a b f , Ma, S.a b , Ke, X.a b , Yi, Y.a b , Yu, H.a b , Yu, D.a b , Li, Q.c , Shang, Y.b d , Lu, […]

The science of living with purpose

Patrick Hill investigates the effects of living purposefully on health, wealth, and wellness – and how to maintain one’s purpose through life’s transitions. Whether you spend your weekdays as an employee, retiree, caretaker, student, or something else entirely, a typical morning likely includes some familiar components. Wake up, perhaps have a cup of coffee, and […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

"A machine learning approach for the factorization of psychometric data with application to the Delis Kaplan Executive Function System" (2021) Scientific Reports A machine learning approach for the factorization of psychometric data with application to the Delis Kaplan Executive Function System(2021) Scientific Reports, 11 (1), art. no. 16896, .  Camilleri, J.A.a b , Eickhoff, S.B.a b , Weis, S.a b , Chen, J.a b c , Amunts, J.a b , Sotiras, A.d , […]

Neurons in visual cortex of the brain ‘drift’ over time

Although other studies have documented “representational drift” in neurons in the parts of the brain associated with odor and spatial memory, this result is surprising because neural activity in the primary visual cortex is thought to be relatively stable. The study published Aug. 27 in Nature Communications was led by Ji Xia, PhD, a recent PhD graduate of […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Basal ganglia shape features differentiate schizoaffective disorder from schizophrenia” (2021) Psychiatry Research – Neuroimaging Basal ganglia shape features differentiate schizoaffective disorder from schizophrenia (2021) Psychiatry Research – Neuroimaging, 317, art. no. 111352, .  Cobia, D.a e , Rich, C.b , Smith, M.J.c , Mamah, D.d , Csernansky, J.G.e , Wang, L.e f g a Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, 1036 KMBL, Provo, UT 84602, United […]

Brain trust: Symposium brings together diverse community of undergraduate neuroscientists

The WUSTL ENDURE program, which hosts the annual symposium, partners with groups across WashU and local institutions to attract top talent, provide training and mentorship opportunities, and improve the diversity of the neuroscience field. “What would happen if you lost your heart?” Ephraim Oyetunji, a rising junior studying neuroscience in the Department of Biology and […]

Cannabis use disorder: another COVID risk factor

Should doctors take particular care to talk to patients about the potential dangers of COVID-19 if those patients have a problematic relationship with pot? New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests perhaps they should. Diabetes, obesity and a history of smoking cigarettes are all considered risk factors for poorer COVID-19 outcomes. Warnings and […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Long range synchronization within the enteric nervous system underlies propulsion along the large intestine in mice” (2021) Communications Biology Long range synchronization within the enteric nervous system underlies propulsion along the large intestine in mice (2021) Communications Biology, 4 (1), art. no. 955, .  Spencer, N.J.a , Travis, L.a , Wiklendt, L.b , Costa, M.a , Hibberd, T.J.a , Brookes, S.J.a , Dinning, P.b , Hu, H.c , Wattchow, […]

17-year study of children associates poverty with smaller, slower-growing subcortical regions

Children in poverty are more likely to have cognitive and behavioral difficulties than their better-off peers. Plenty of past research has looked into the physical effects of childhood poverty, or documented mental health disparities between socioeconomic classes. But Deanna Barch, chair and professor in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences in Arts & Sciences at […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

"Chronic neuroleptic treatment combined with a high fat diet elevated (3H) flunitrazepam binding in the cerebellum (2022) Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry Chronic neuroleptic treatment combined with a high fat diet elevated [3H] flunitrazepam binding in the cerebellum(2022) Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 112, art. no. 110407, .  Richardson, B.a b , Swenson, S.a , Hamilton, J.a b , Leonard, K.c , Delis, F.d , […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Gene therapy for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency by MR-guided direct delivery of AAV2-AADC to midbrain dopaminergic neurons” (2021) Nature Communications Gene therapy for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency by MR-guided direct delivery of AAV2-AADC to midbrain dopaminergic neurons (2021) Nature Communications, 12 (1), art. no. 4251, .  Pearson, T.S.a b , Gupta, N.a , San Sebastian, W.a , Imamura-Ching, J.a , Viehoever, A.c , Grijalvo-Perez, A.c , […]

NIH funds Rudra, Jackrel to improve vaccines for elderly

The coronavirus pandemic has emphasized the importance of vaccines, particularly for the elderly, who have been disproportionately impacted by the virus. However, a decline in immune response as well as inflammation that accompanies aging require a booster to improve the immune response. Jai Rudra, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the McKelvey School of […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“A single-cell guide to retinal development: Cell fate decisions of multipotent retinal progenitors in scRNA-seq” (2021) Developmental Biology A single-cell guide to retinal development: Cell fate decisions of multipotent retinal progenitors in scRNA-seq (2021) Developmental Biology, 478, pp. 41-58.  Shiau, F.a , Ruzycki, P.A.a , Clark, B.S.a b a John F Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

"Comparing stress prediction models using smartwatch physiological signals and participant self-reports" (2021) Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Comparing stress prediction models using smartwatch physiological signals and participant self-reports(2021) Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 208, art. no. 106207, .  Dai, R.a , Lu, C.a , Yun, L.b , Lenze, E.c , Avidan, M.b , Kannampallil, T.b d a Department of Computer Science, McKelvey School of Engineering, United […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Critical tests of the continuous dual-process model of recognition” (2021) Cognition Critical tests of the continuous dual-process model of recognition (2021) Cognition, 215, art. no. 104827, .  Cha, J., Dobbins, I.G. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in Saint Louis, United States Abstract Dual process recognition models assume recognition depends upon context recollection and/or item familiarity. While most […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Advanced cognitive impairment among older nursing home residents” (2021) BMC Geriatrics Advanced cognitive impairment among older nursing home residents (2021) BMC Geriatrics, 21 (1), art. no. 382, .  Gracner, T.a , Stone, P.W.b , Agarwal, M.c , Sorbero, M.d , Mitchell, S.L.e f , Dick, A.W.g a RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States b Center for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing, 560 […]

Washington University collaborates with Agilent, Merck to expand metabolomics research

A collaborative effort between Washington University in St. Louis, Agilent Technologies and the biopharmaceutical company Merck aims to expand research in the field of metabolomics, the comprehensive study of small molecules within a biological system. Using top-of-the-line research instrumentation from Agilent, scientists in the Department of Chemistry in Arts & Sciences will develop new metabolomics […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“GPS driving: a digital biomarker for preclinical Alzheimer disease” (2021) Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy GPS driving: a digital biomarker for preclinical Alzheimer disease (2021) Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy, 13 (1), art. no. 115, .  Bayat, S.a b , Babulal, G.M.c d e , Schindler, S.E.c d , Fagan, A.M.c d f , Morris, J.C.c d f g h i , Mihailidis, A.a b j , Roe, C.M.c d a Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 550 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Epigenetic regulation in Huntington’s disease” (2021) Neurochemistry International Epigenetic regulation in Huntington’s disease (2021) Neurochemistry International, 148, art. no. 105074, .  Hyeon, J.W.a , Kim, A.H.a b c d e , Yano, H.a b c e a Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States b Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States c Department of Genetics, Washington University […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“In-vivo design feedback and perceived utility of a genetically-informed smoking risk tool among current smokers in the community” (2021) BMC Medical Genomics In-vivo design feedback and perceived utility of a genetically-informed smoking risk tool among current smokers in the community (2021) BMC Medical Genomics, 14 (1), art. no. 139, .  Bourdon, J.L.a , Dorsey, A.b , Zalik, M.b , Pietka, A.b , Salyer, P.b , Bray, […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Common DNA methylation dynamics in endometriod adenocarcinoma and glioblastoma suggest universal epigenomic alterations in tumorigenesis” (2021) Communications Biology Common DNA methylation dynamics in endometriod adenocarcinoma and glioblastoma suggest universal epigenomic alterations in tumorigenesis (2021) Communications Biology, 4 (1), art. no. 607, .  Karlow, J.A.a , Miao, B.a b , Xing, X.a , Wang, T.a c , Zhang, B.a b a The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems […]

Board grants faculty appointments, promotions, tenure

At the Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees meeting May 7, numerous faculty members were appointed or promoted with tenure or granted tenure, effective July 1 unless otherwise indicated. Promotion with tenure Megan Tierney Baldridge, MD, PhD, to associate professor of medicine at the School of Medicine; Trevor G. Gardner II to professor of […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Interhemispheric Parietal-Frontal Connectivity Predicts the Ability to Acquire a Nondominant Hand Skill” (2021) Brain Connectivity Interhemispheric Parietal-Frontal Connectivity Predicts the Ability to Acquire a Nondominant Hand Skill (2021) Brain Connectivity, 11 (4), pp. 308-318.  Philip, B.A.a b , McAvoy, M.P.c , Frey, S.H.b a Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States b Department of Psychological Sciences, University of […]

Electric fish — and humans — pause before communicating key points

American writer and humorist Mark Twain, a master of language and noted lecturer, once offered, “The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.” Electric fish and today’s TED talk speakers take a page from Twain’s playbook. They pause before sharing something particularly meaningful. Pauses also […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Impact of intrauterine fetal resuscitation with oxygen on oxidative stress in the developing rat brain” (2021) Scientific Reports Impact of intrauterine fetal resuscitation with oxygen on oxidative stress in the developing rat brain (2021) Scientific Reports, 11 (1), art. no. 9798, .  Jiang, J.a d , Giri, T.a , Raghuraman, N.b , Cahill, A.G.c , Palanisamy, A.a b a Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. […]

Association recognizes two psychology students for quality research

The Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences (FABBS) has named Katherine Lopez and Megan Maxwell recipients of Research Excellence Awards. Both are students in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. Lopez Lopez, a PhD student, received the Doctoral Dissertation Research Excellence Award for her dissertation, […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Lack of observed tolerance to diazepam nasal spray (Valtoco®) after long-term rescue therapy in patients with epilepsy: Interim results from a phase 3, open-label, repeat-dose safety study” (2021) Epilepsy and Behavior Lack of observed tolerance to diazepam nasal spray (Valtoco®) after long-term rescue therapy in patients with epilepsy: Interim results from a phase 3, open-label, […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“New guidance to seekers of autism biomarkers: an update from studies of identical twins” (2021) Molecular Autism New guidance to seekers of autism biomarkers: an update from studies of identical twins (2021) Molecular Autism, 12 (1), art. no. 28, .  Constantino, J.N. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S Euclid Ave, Campus Box 8504, St. Louis, MO 63110, […]

St. Louis Area Brain Bee winners reflect on experience

St. Louis Area Brain Bee 2020 and 2021 winners Sriharsha Gonuguntla and Rohan Rao, respectively, reflect on how the regional and national competitions influenced their interest in neurobiology. The event that high school students across the St. Louis metropolitan area get excited for each year, theSt. Louis Area Brain Bee (SLABB) competition, took place online […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“White matter microstructure associations with episodic memory in adults with Down syndrome: a tract-based spatial statistics study” (2021) Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders White matter microstructure associations with episodic memory in adults with Down syndrome: a tract-based spatial statistics study (2021) Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 13 (1), art. no. 17, .  Bazydlo, A.a , Zammit, M.a , Wu, M.b , Dean, D.a c , Johnson, S.a c d , Tudorascu, […]

Sum of incentives dictate efforts

When there’s a difficult task at hand, intuition tells us that the more motivated we are to complete it — the stronger the incentives — the harder we’ll work. And the assumption has been that the relationship is linear — the better the incentives, the harder people will work. Rarely, however, do people have just […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

“Blood flow response to orthostatic challenge identifies signatures of the failure of static cerebral autoregulation in patients with cerebrovascular disease” (2021) BMC Neurology Blood flow response to orthostatic challenge identifies signatures of the failure of static cerebral autoregulation in patients with cerebrovascular disease (2021) BMC Neurology, 21 (1), art. no. 154, .  Gregori-Pla, C.a , Mesquita, R.C.b , Favilla, C.G.c , Busch, D.R.d , Blanco, […]

WashU weekly Neuroscience publications

"Molecular classification of a complex structural rearrangement of the RB1 locus in an infant with sporadic, isolated, intracranial, sellar region retinoblastoma" (2021) Acta Neuropathologica Communications Molecular classification of a complex structural rearrangement of the RB1 locus in an infant with sporadic, isolated, intracranial, sellar region retinoblastoma(2021) Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 9 (1), art. no. 61, .  Schieffer, K.M.a , Feldman, A.Z.b , Kautto, E.A.a , […]

Graduate student in the Jackrel lab wins NIH fellowship

Macy Sprunger, a graduate student in Meredith Jackrel’s lab in the Department of Chemistry in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, won a three-year $136,560 National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The award supports Sprunger’s project “Defining the Molecular Drivers and Modulators of MATR3 Proteinopathy […]