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Neuroscience

BioXcel Therapeutics to Present at Two Upcoming Healthcare Investor Conferences – BioSpace

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioXcel Inc. (BTI or Company) (Nasdaq: BTAI), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company utilizing artificial intelligence to identify improved therapies in neuroscience and immuno-oncology, today announced that Dr. Vimal Mehta, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BTI, will present at two upcoming healthcare investor conferences.

Conference Presentation Details:

Event: Cowen and Co. 40th Annual Health Care ConferenceDate/Time: Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern TimeLocation: Boston, MA

Event: Barclays Global Healthcare ConferenceDate/Time: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 3:50 p.m. Eastern TimeLocation: Miami, FL

Live webcasts from the Cowen and Barclays conference presentations and any accompanying presentation materials that will be discussed will be accessible through the Investors section of the Company's website at http://www.bioxceltherapeutics.com. Following the conference, the webcast will be archived on the BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. website for at least 30 days.

About BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc.:

BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on drug development that utilizes artificial intelligence to identify improved therapies in neuroscience and immuno-oncology. BTI's drug re-innovation approach leverages existing approved drugs and/or clinically evaluated product candidates together with big data and proprietary machine learning algorithms to identify new therapeutic indices. BTI's two most advanced clinical development programs are BXCL501, an investigational sublingual thin film formulation in development for acute treatment of agitation resulting from neuropsychiatric disorders, and BXCL701, an investigational orally administered systemic innate immunity activator in development for treatment of a rare form of prostate cancer and for treatment of pancreatic cancer in combination with other immuno-oncology agents. For more information, please visit http://www.bioxceltherapeutics.com.

Contact Information:

BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc.www.bioxceltherapeutics.com

Investor Relations:John Grazianojgraziano@troutgroup.com 1.646.378.2942

Media:Julia Deutschjdeutsch@troutgroup.com 1.646.378.2967

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BioXcel Therapeutics to Present at Two Upcoming Healthcare Investor Conferences - BioSpace

Neuroscience

Memorial Neuroscience Institute Performs Its First Robotic Brain Surgery to Help Ease Epileptic Seizures – PR Web

"We are committed in adopting technology that is at the forefront of surgical treatments for epilepsy. The use of the robot will help the Memorial Neuroscience Institute to provide the cutting edge care to our patients.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (PRWEB) February 26, 2020

The epilepsy team at Memorial Neuroscience Institute successfully completed its first use of a minimally-invasive, robotic device that helps pinpoint the origin of epileptic seizures on a patient.

The device, now in full use at Memorial Regional Hospital, is called a Robotized Surgical Assistant, or ROSA. With assistance from the robot, neurosurgeons only need to make small, precise incisions in the scalp and skull to place electrodes deep in the brain and investigate where seizures are triggered.

The robot also improves accuracy, safety and can significantly reduce total surgery time, said Tarek Zakaria, MD, Medical Director for the Adult Neurology Program and Epilepsy Program.

By using the new technology, more data will be available to the epilepsy team to offer patients more advanced treatment options and help them to achieve their dreams to be seizure free, Zakaria said.

"We are committed in adopting technology that is at the forefront of surgical treatments for epilepsy," Zakaria said. The use of the robot will help the Memorial Neuroscience Institute to provide the cutting edge care to our patients.

When medication is not enough to control seizures, neurosurgeons like Christopher DeMassi, MD and Daxa Patel, MD may take a surgical approach. That includes altering or removing brain tissue at the location where a patient's seizures begin. However, they can only do so if they can first zero in exactly where that origin is. This is where Rosa can assist.

Recently, they performed the two-part procedure on a 24-year-old female patient, who began having epileptic seizures at age eight and had exhausted all available medications.

The procedure, called robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), was performed as part of the services offered by the Memorial Neuroscience Institute Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.

Our goal is to always bring in the latest innovative technologies to achieve the best possible outcome for our patients, DeMassi said. This is just the latest advancement available to the South Florida community and keeps us at the front of epilepsy care.

Surgeons used ROSA and a 3-D reconstruction of the patients brain to guide them where to surgically implant electrodes without having to remove sections of her skull. DeMassi and Patel then used the robot's arm to make two- or three-millimeter holes in the scalp through which the electrode wires were passed.

With the electrodes in place, Zakaria and his team were later able to see part of the patient's brain light up on a computer monitor as a seizure began, essentially flagging the point of origin.

Memorial Neuroscience Institute is proud to offer the most technologically advanced and comprehensive services for our patients and the community, said Haroula Protopapadakis Nordem, FACHE, Associate Administrator at Memorial Regional Hospital.

The addition of the ROSA to our program will allow our surgeons to deliver more precise results in a less invasive manner and allow our physicians to treat patients who otherwise might not have had a feasible treatment option, she said.

Memorials epilepsy center is accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) as a Level 4 program, a designation for programs offering the highest level of comprehensive and specialized care.

Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., is one of the largest hospitals in Florida and is a facility of Memorial Healthcare System, one of the largest healthcare systems in Florida. Its wide scope of medical services and programs includes Memorial Cancer Institute, Breast Cancer Center, Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Neuroscience Center, Comprehensive Weight-Loss Surgery Program, Family Birthplace, Center for Behavioral Health, Sickle Cell Day Hospital, Womens Services, Fitness and Rehabilitation Center, and a level I Trauma Center. For more information, visit memorialregional.com.

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Memorial Neuroscience Institute Performs Its First Robotic Brain Surgery to Help Ease Epileptic Seizures - PR Web

Neuroscience

Columbia University Names Julie Mehretu Artist-in-Residence Focusing on Brain Science & the Arts at Tadias Magazine – Tadias Magazine

Artist Julie Mehretu is one of three trailblazers in visual arts, music and creative writing who have been named by Columbia University's Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute as the 2020 Artists-in-Residence. (Photo: Julie Mehretu in New York Nathan Bajar/The New York Times/Redux/Eyevine)

Columbia University

Columbias Zuckerman Institute Announces Three Artists-in-Residence, Fostering Connections Between Brain Science and the Arts

Year-long program embeds award-winning painter, jazz musician and author with scientists studying the mind, the brain and behavior

NEW YORK A trio of pioneers in the fields of visual arts, jazz and literature have been named as the 2020 Artists-in-Residence at Columbias Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute. Artist Julie Mehretu, musician Miguel Zenn and author Nicole Krauss will spend the next year collaborating with scientists at the Institute in an endeavor that immerses artists in the cutting-edge field of neuroscience.

Science and the arts have much to learn from each other, and the Artist-in-Residence program provides a concrete way to bridge these disciplines. I cannot think of a better group of artists to enrich our scientific community, said Rui Costa, DVM, PhD, Director and CEO of Columbias Zuckerman Institute. By building bridges between neuroscience and creative expression, while also strengthening our links to our neighboring communities, these artists-in-residence will inspire scientists, artists and the public to think creatively about their work, how each of us, using our own medium and expertise, can provide a positive impact on society.

During their residencies, each artist will work with Zuckerman Institute researchers and scientists across the University, as well as engage with the neighboring communities in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. The artists-in-residence, each hosted by a Zuckerman Institute faculty member, will develop, participate and lead a variety of events, from formal lectures, seminars and performances, to informal workshops, collaborations and conversations. By the end of their residencies, each artist as well as the scientists and members of the wider Columbia and neighboring communities stands to benefit from access to new knowledge and perspectives

More about the 2020 Artists-in-Residence:

Julie Mehretu, Alan Kanzer Artist-in-Residence

Julie Mehretu is a world-renowned painter, born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, who lives and works in New York City and Berlin. Mehretu is a MacArthur Fellow and recipient of the US Department of State Medal of Arts Award. She has shown her work extensively in international and national solo and group exhibitions and is represented in public and private collections around the world. Projects include completing two large-scale paintings for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Atrium in September 2017. Recent exhibitions include Venice Biennale and a mid-career survey at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which travels to The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York in 2020.

Read the full article at columbia.edu

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Julie Mehretus Mid-Career Survey at LA County Museum of Art

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Columbia University Names Julie Mehretu Artist-in-Residence Focusing on Brain Science & the Arts at Tadias Magazine - Tadias Magazine

Neuroscience

New iTHRIV Projects Approved, LG expands to Floyd – Roanoker

Four research projects will benefit by $200,000 from the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) partnership, which features resources from Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginiaand Inova Health System. The funding will go to projects through the Pilot Translational and Clinical Studies Program.

The funding, broken into segments, benefits multi-institutional teams of scientists, physicians, and engineers who will explore new machine learning approaches to cancer cell recognition, shoulder surgery recovery recommendations, a potential new treatment for depressionand what triggers an inflammatory throat disease.

The awarded pilot projects include:

A study of ultrasound and depression, among the most prevalent and debilitating psychiatric illnesses and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Researchers will be led by Sarah Clinton of Virginia Techs School of Neuroscience, and Wynn Legon of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Driving after rotator cuff surgery will be the focus of Peter Apel of Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Carilion Clinic and Miguel Perez director of the Center for Data Reduction and Analysis Support at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

A new approach to cancer cell recognition will be the focus of Nathan Swami, a computer engineer at the University of Virginia, Todd Bauer of UVa, and Eva Schmelz from Techs Department of Human Nutrition.

A study of painful esophagus inflammation will be led by Irving Coy Allen of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and Emily McGowan at UVA Health.

iTHIRV is a cross-state translational research institute. Partner sites include Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginiaand Inova Health System.

LewisGale Physicians will open a new primary care practice in Floyd March 3. Jared March, a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) and a resident of Floyd will will provide care at the new location.

March specializes in internal medicine and has experience in managing chronic diseases, including working with and educating patients on lifestyle changes to improve overall health.

The new office is onFranklin Pike. For more information call 540-745-5060.

About the Writer:

Dan Smith is an award-winning Roanoke-based writer/author/photographer and a member of the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame (Class of 2010). His blog, fromtheeditr.com, is widely read and he has authored seven books, including the novel CLOG! He is founding editor of a Roanoke-based business magazine and a former Virginia Small Business Journalist of the Year (2005).

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New iTHRIV Projects Approved, LG expands to Floyd - Roanoker

Embryology

Assisted Reproductive Technology Market Expert Guide to Boost the Industry in Global Market Share – The Cloud Tribune

Reproduction segment is currently blooming. The major factor responsible for its growth are improved access to fertility clinics and fertilization technologyadvancements. Different organizations have come forward to encourage people to avail reproductive assistance services. Angels of Hope Foundation, BabyQuest Foundation and Pay-it-Forward Foundation are some of the organizations in US that offer grants to make fertility treatment affordable as it is cost-intensive which discourages the general public. Reproductive outcomes from such services have been positive. This increases the adoption rate of assistive reproductive technologies like IVF and IUI. Technologies have significantly increased the number of treatments that are available for infertility.

Modern lifestyle induces productivity issues

In many economies across the globe, same sex marriages are made legal. Such marriages are eyed as prominent revenue source for the global assistive reproductive technology market. Latest Fact.MR report forecasts that the revenue of assistive reproductive technology will increase by 6.3% by the end of 2020.

Request for Sample Report with Statistical Info @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=4393

Modern lifestyle has induced stress in people. This adversely effects the reproductive capacity in men and women, compelling them to divert towards assistive reproductive technologies. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) give the data that 82% ART cycle induced pregnancies are based on use of fresh non-donor eggs. The major factor driving this rate is the desire to have a child with eggs form one person. Fresh non-donor eggs are trending as the medium for using assistive technology. It is primarily used by women below the age of 35. Major factors like late family planning and increase in prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer cause infertility issues. Medical freezing is getting recommended by medical professionals for women to reduce the risks of infertility.

Employers offer perks and incentives to employees

Major employers are addressing infertility issues in their employees. They have come up with perks and incentives to encourage employees to store eggs so that they do not undergo infertility issues in future. These factors are expected to surge the demand for frozen non-donor procedures. Assistive reproductive technology is used to treat infertility using many treatment cycles, which makes the treatment very expensive. Fertility clinics have identified the scope of opportunities in treatment of productivity issues. They have introduced one stop solutions that include diagnostic as well as the treatment. Major stake holders are investing towards development of embryology labs that are used to ensure safe and efficient gamete handling. Medical professionals are preferring fertility clinics of treatment as these spaces offer quality service and are laced with advanced technologies. Fact.MR report predicts that fertility clinics can generate US$16.8Bn revenue by the end of the year 2020.

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Different attitude is adopted towards assisted reproductive technology in different regions. This happens because such technologies get different implementation in terms of reimbursement facilities, patient outcomes and cost in different regions. Fact.MR report highlights the fact the 53% of the Netherlands population ops for quality reproductive treatments and chooses to even go abroad for it. Cross-border reproductive care is highly popular in European countries.

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Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; thats why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.

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Assisted Reproductive Technology Market Expert Guide to Boost the Industry in Global Market Share - The Cloud Tribune

Embryology

Shady Grove Fertility’s (SGF) Fairfax, VA IVF Center Reaches 1500 IVF and Egg Freezing Cycles in its First Full Year Open, Shares How SGF Labs Help…

Shady Grove Fertility Fairfax, VA IVF Center

FAIRFAX, Va. (PRWEB) February 26, 2020

SGF is the largest fertility center in Virginia, and has been serving Northern Virginia with highly specialized and personalized fertility care for over two decades. With seven locations in Northern Virginia, the addition of our newest physician, Nicole Doyle, M.D., brings our state total to 13 reproductive endocrinologists and 1 reproductive urologist. SGF Fairfaxs lab director recently shared just a few of the ways their lab is helping more people conceive.

SGFs embryologists have always undergone a rigorous and comprehensive training program, and at SGFs IVF Center in Fairfax, thats no exception. The SGF program takes 4 to 5 years to complete and requires trainees to progress through a robust series of mentorships, on-the-job training, and scaffolded exposure to different procedures. Our embryologists learn procedures in isolation, and practice them over and over and over again, often taking months to master each one before receiving the necessary clearance to perform the procedure unassisted, shared Jim Graham, MS, Laboratories Director.

SGF, a national network of IVF centers, completed over 15,000 IVF cycles in 2017, according to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologys (SART) latest preliminary data available.

The SGF Fairfax IVF Center is home to the ninth lab operated by SGF, joining the largest freestanding IVF laboratory in the United States in Rockville, Maryland as well as Towson, MD; Chesterbrook, PA; Manhattan, NY; Richmond, VA; Atlanta, GA; Tampa, FL; and Santiago, Chile.

The Fairfax office laboratory is accredited by the Joint Commission and operates under the leadership of nationally and internationally known Jim Graham, laboratories director and Michael J. Tucker, BSc, Ph.D., FIBiol, HCLD, director of Shady Grove Fertilitys IVF and embryology laboratories.

While our Fairfax lab is no different in following our already stringent training requirements, having increased space allows us to do even more training. Now, we have double the amount of equipment with which we can train new embryologists more effectively, and we can offer more frequent exposure to a variety of procedures, added Graham.

SGF is known for cultivating a culture of continuous innovation. We have always been dedicated to advancing our technical capacity and knowledge within the area of reproductive science. We dont wait for others in our field to figure out the latest techniques; we actively engage in research ourselves, shared Eric Levens, M.D., board certified reproductive endocrinologist and Medical Director of the Fairfax lab.

Within the Fairfax lab, SGF continually investigates new IVF techniques. If I had to summarize how determined we are to improving embryo cultures, Ive always said, even if our efforts result in one more pregnancy out of 1,000, our time was well spent, as we know that one more pregnancy means another family goes home happy as a result of our combined efforts, added Graham.

Like all SGF labs, the Fairfax IVF Center follows a system of both active and passive patient identification whereby team embryologists verify identities and maintain a one-patient-per-hood rule. This robust chain of custody procedure, which remains the gold-standard in reproductive medicine, has made it possible for SGF to increase its lab capacity and size without compromising the quality of patient care.

Another not so well known advantage that SGFs labs offer is isolated incubator spaces for embryos. The longer we can leave embryos undisturbed to develop, the more likely they are to become high-quality, viable embryos, added Graham. Thanks to a substantially increased number of isolated incubator spaces in the Fairfax lab, we can better leave cultures undisturbed.

The use of isolated chambers at SGF represents a major improvement in the IVF process. In many other labs around the nation, spaces are shared by multiple patientsmeaning the environment for one patients developing embryos would impact another each time an embryologist needs to access the embryos of another patient using the same space.

Because we can keep embryos in a more controlled, consistent environment, we can ensure optimal pregnancy rates for our patients, Graham adds.

Assisted reproductive technology continues to develop daily. Each year, new advancements in techniques, new tools to enhance success, and new procedures and protocols become available. SGF continues to not only develop our services, but also our science so that we can continue to deliver on our promise and provide patients the best possible support, adds Levens.

The SGF Fairfax IVF Center offers patients access to highly specialized, comprehensive fertility care, including fertility and ovarian reserve testing and diagnosis; semen analysis; hysterosalpingogram (HSG); low-tech fertility options; in vitro fertilization (IVF); donor egg, sperm, and embryo; genetic screening and testing; gestational carrier; egg freezing; fertility preservation for patients with cancer; and LGBTQ family building. To schedule an appointment with an SGF physician, please call the SGF New Patient Center at 1-888-761-1967 or submit this brief online form.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 85,000 babies born and counting. With 38 locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, we offer patients individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including treatment guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.

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Shady Grove Fertility's (SGF) Fairfax, VA IVF Center Reaches 1500 IVF and Egg Freezing Cycles in its First Full Year Open, Shares How SGF Labs Help...

Biochemistry

U of A Students Participate in the Sixth Annual Arkansas Bioinformatics Consortium – University of Arkansas Newswire

Samantha Robinson

Arkansas research students attending the 2020 Arkansas Bioinformatics Consortium.

Fourteen undergraduate and two graduate students recently represented the U of A at the 2020 Arkansas Bioinformatics Consortium held on Feb.10-11in Little Rock.

Led by Department of Mathematical Sciencesprofessor Samantha Robinson, the group presented a total of 12 research posters.

Three student projects received awards in the poster competition. First place was given to kinesiology senior, Jessica Gilmore, and biochemistry junior, Di'Granger, for their study on antimicrobial stewardship and aspiration diagnosis.

Andrew Palmer, a biology and sociology junior, received second place for his work concerning teenage pregnancy rates in Arkansas. A junior in anthropology, James (Cameron) Tilley, received third place for his evaluation of liver functions after being treated for methamphetamine and MDMA abuse.

Jerry Adams, president/CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance and chair of the AR-BIC Governing Board said these students were particularly impressive.

"This year, with the leadership of Samantha Robinson, we piloted how to engage selected undergraduates in the conference and especially the competitive poster segment of the conference," Adams said. "Professor Robinson and her undergraduate cohort taught us that there is an extraordinary opportunity to expand and cultivate this cohort for our on-going annual conference. Not only was the engagement of the students high with the poster competition but their networking and investment with the day and a half presentation were extremely valuable."

Robinson agreed and saidthe students did exepctinally well.

"All of the students did a tremendous job at the conference and represented the U of A extremely well! I was so very proud of them all!," she said. "I am also very appreciative tovice chancellor Dan Sui, Jerry Adams, and the entire ARA for contributing funding and other support for this student experience. I'd also like to thank my colleague Jyotishka Datta for accompanying me and helping manage the group on the trip."

One U of A student said, "AR-BIC was a wonderful experience and my first poster presentation. The conference introduced me to all of the research that is currently underway in the state of Arkansas and introduced me to the ways our state is currently developing new technologies in artificial intelligence [this year's theme]."

Other Arkansas universities, including UAMS, attended the conference as well. The conference was hosted by the Arkansas Research Alliance, a public-private partnership organization that seeks to facilitate research initiatives across the state.

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U of A Students Participate in the Sixth Annual Arkansas Bioinformatics Consortium - University of Arkansas Newswire

Neuroscience

Assessment Changes Open Up Neuroscience Research to People With Intellectual Disabilities – Technology Networks

The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery an assessment of cognitive functioning for adults and children participating in neuroscience research can be adapted to people with intellectual disabilities by modifying some test components and making accommodations for the test-takers disabilities, according to researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health. The adaptations ensure that the battery can be used to assess the cognitive ability of people with intellectual disabilities who have a mental age of 5 years and above, providing objective measures that could be used in a wide variety of studies.The research team, led by David Hessl, Ph.D., of the University of California Davis Medical Center, published their findings in Neurology. The work was funded by NIHs Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, as well as the Administration for Community Living.

The battery is administered on a computer tablet and measures memory, vocabulary, reading and executive functioning, which includes skills such as the ability to shift from one thought to another, pay attention and control impulses. The researchers adapted the battery by reducing the complexity of the instructions and including developmentally appropriate starting points. They also developed a structured manual to guide test administrators.

The researchers validated the battery and its modifications by assessing 242 people ages 6 through 25 with fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome or other disabilities. They found that the battery produced reliable and valid results for those with a mental age of 5 years and above. The authors called for additional research to adapt the battery to people with lower mental ages and to older adults with intellectual disability who may be experiencing cognitive decline or dementia.ReferenceShields et al. (2020) Validation of the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery in intellectual disability. Neurology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000009131

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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Assessment Changes Open Up Neuroscience Research to People With Intellectual Disabilities - Technology Networks

Neuroscience

Mouse Study Suggests Hitting the Immune "Reset Button" May Help Brain Injury Recovery – Technology Networks

Targeting overactive immune cells and dampening their chronic neurotoxic effects may offer new therapeutic strategies for traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to new preclinical research in mice, which has been published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

The collaborative research, which involved scientists from Trinity College Dublin and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA, also suggests that the impact of TBI on brain degeneration may be modifiable a relatively long time after the injury was sustained - something at odds with current thinking.

Triggered by trauma, microglia - the brain's immune cells - morph into an inflammatory state, which helps to protect the brain. However, long-term inflammation after TBI may contribute to neurological degeneration and cognitive declines similar to those observed in TBI-associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Alzheimer's disease.

The scientists involved in the new study found that highly delayed targeting of chronic inflammation pathways may be a very effective therapeutic strategy for TBI.

One month after a TBI, the team inhibited a particular receptor microglia need to survive. The inhibition killed 95% of the mice microglia cells. However, the cells bounced back to normal levels once the inhibition ends.

The researchers then stopped the inhibition after one week and let the mice recover for a few months. They found that the inhibition essentially "reset" the mice's microglia: the new cells were in a more normal, less inflammatory state. The mice recovered better than the mice that didn't receive treatment, showing less brain damage, fewer neuron deaths, and better motor and cognitive performance.

David Loane, Research assistant professor in Trinity's School of Biochemistry and Immunology, said:

"These preclinical studies suggest that the consequences of TBI on brain degeneration and related neurological impairment may be modifiable quite a long time after injury by targeting inflammation pathways, which is a finding at odds with widely accepted views about head injury."

"The exciting thing is the possibility that we may one day be able to minimise brain degeneration and neurological impairment in people who have suffered a TBI. It will of course always be incredibly important to act quickly whenever someone suffers a TBI, but our findings suggest targeting inflammation pathways further down the treatment line may make a major difference to long-term brain health and recovery."

Dr Loane has recently established a state-of-the-art, preclinical research laboratory in Trinity to study the neuroimmunology of TBI and related dementias. His work is supported by an SFI President of Ireland Future Research Leaders Award and the National Institutes of Health (USA).

Reference: Henry, R. J., Ritzel, R. M., Barrett, J. P., Doran, S. J., Jiao, Y., Leach, J. B., Szeto, G. L., Wu, J., Stoica, B. A., Faden, A. I., & Loane, D. J. (2020). Microglial depletion with CSF1R inhibitor during chronic phase of experimental traumatic brain injury reduces neurodegeneration and neurological deficits. Journal of Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2402-19.2020

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Mouse Study Suggests Hitting the Immune "Reset Button" May Help Brain Injury Recovery - Technology Networks

Neuroscience

New endowment promotes study of the brain – Yale Daily News

Giovanna Truong

A new donation by Yale alumni will promote neuroscience research at the School of Medicine.

James Lawrence 74 and Mary Lawrence MPH 98 created a new endowment for brain research in honor of their son, Thomas Kingsley Lawrence, who would have graduated in the class of 2019 but took his own life after a long battle with bipolar disorder. The endowment will be used to create the Thomas Kingsley Lawrence 19 Program in Brain Research and to establish the Lawrence Family Professorship in Brain Research.

This is a remarkable and generous gift that will directly facilitate the research of the faculty member who holds the professorship, said Michael Crair, the newly-appointed vice provost for research at the School of Medicine. The research program is expected to be multifaceted, with some attention paid to basic mechanisms of disease, as well as the development of novel strategies for disease prevention or therapeutic treatments.

The programs logistics will be overseen by the deans office at the School of Medicine. The school will soon appoint a director for the program. Director of the Mood Disorders Research Program Hilary Blumberg told the News that the donation comes at a critical time for the field.

Research in this area is critically needed, [it] could literally save lives, Blumberg emphasized. The Mood Disorders Research Program focuses on understanding the brain circuitry of bipolar disorder, suicide and translating basic neurobiology into treatment and prevention in adolescents.

The Mood Disorders Research Program is one of many initiatives that will benefit from the new endowment. The program will spearhead an initiative to bring faculty and students together in an interdisciplinary approach to studying mood disorders, with a focus on bipolar disorder and suicide. Blumbergs lab focuses on the relationship between brain structure and the development of suicidal tendencies.

We have found that there is an important link between bipolar disorder in adolescence and the neurobiology of suicidal behaviors, said Blumberg. Thats important because we can then develop targets for prevention for people at risk.

Blumberg said she is also hopeful that these findings will help with treatment. This would include using brain scanning to see how sleep and other daily rhythms affect brain circuitry and suicide risk.

According to Crair, the endowment will also include funding for a professorship, which will permit the faculty involved to oversee a program that catalyzes the research of junior faculty in the area and the development of new therapies or diagnostics for brain disorders.

In a statement to the News, Dean Nancy Brown stated that the School of Medicine is very excited about this major gift from Jim and Mary Lawrence in memory of their son.

The statement also noted that the program will provide support for early-career investigators and teams who undertake high-risk, high-reward research initiatives in the field. The School of Medicine aims to use the donation to fund innovative research that would not otherwise happen.

Our hope is that the knowledge generated will lead to novel prevention strategies, diagnostics, and therapeutics, wrote Brown.

In 2023, the Yale-New Haven Hospital will open a new neuroscience building for both treatment and research.

Beatriz Horta | beatriz.horta@yale.edu

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New endowment promotes study of the brain - Yale Daily News