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Neuroscience

Fatty Acids in Brain Key in Memory Formation – Neuroscience News

Summary: Researchers made a breakthrough discovery on how saturated fatty acids in the brain contribute to memory consolidation. The team have mapped out the molecular processes and identified critical genes, such as PLA1 and STXBP1, that regulate the formation of these fatty acids during neuronal communication, offering new insights into potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

By experimenting with mouse models, the researchers observed a direct correlation between levels of saturated fatty acids and memory function, highlighting the essential role of these compounds in cognitive health.

This work, a collaboration among several prestigious institutions, not only deepens our understanding of memory mechanisms but also opens the door to innovative therapeutic strategies for conditions like Alzheimers disease.

Key Facts:

Source: University of Queensland

Researchers at the University of Queensland have revealed the crucial role of saturated fatty acids in the brains consolidation of memories.

Dr Isaac Akefefrom UQsQueensland Brain Institutehas uncovered the molecular mechanism and identified the genes underlying the memory creation process, opening the door to a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders.

Weve shown previously that levels of saturated fatty acids increase in the brain during neuronal communication, but we didnt know what was causing these changes, Dr Akefe said.

Now for the first time, weve identified alterations in the brains fatty acid landscape when the neurons encode a memory.

An enzyme called Phospholipase A1 (PLA1) interacts with another protein at the synapse called STXBP1 to form saturated fatty acids.

The brain is the bodys fattiest organ, with fatty compounds called lipids making up 60% of its weight. Fatty acids are the building blocks of a class of lipids called phospholipids.

The work done inProfessor Frederic Meunierslaboratory has shown that STXBP1 controls the targeting of the PLA1 enzyme, coordinating the release of fatty acids and directing communication at the synapses in the brain.

Human mutations in the PLA1 and the STXBP1 genes reduce free fatty acid levels and promote neurological disorders, Professor Meunier said.

To determine the importance of free fatty acids in memory formation, we used mouse models where the PLA1 gene is removed.

We tracked the onset and progression of neurological and cognitive decline throughout their lives.

We saw that even before their memories became impaired, their saturated free fatty acid levels were significantly lower than control mice.

This indicates that this PLA1 enzyme, and the fatty acids it releases, play a key role in memory acquisition.

The research has important implications for understanding of how memories are formed.

Our findings indicate that manipulating this memory acquisition pathway has exciting potential as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimers, Professor Meunier said.

The research team acknowledges the contributions of PhD candidates Saber Abd Elkader from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, and Benjamin Matthews from the Queensland Brain Institute.

This is a collaborative study with the University of New South Wales, University of Strasbourg, University of Bordeaux, The Scripp Research Institute and the Baylor College of Medicine.

Author: Elaine Pye Source: University of Queensland Contact: Elaine Pye University of Queensland Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access. The DDHD2-STXBP1 interaction mediates long-term memory via generation of saturated free fatty acids by Fred Meunier et al. EMBO Journal

Abstract

The DDHD2-STXBP1 interaction mediates long-term memory via generation of saturated free fatty acids

The phospholipid and free fatty acid (FFA) composition of neuronal membranes plays a crucial role in learning and memory, but the mechanisms through which neuronal activity affects the brains lipid landscape remain largely unexplored.

The levels of saturated FFAs, particularly of myristic acid (C14:0), strongly increase during neuronal stimulation and memory acquisition, suggesting the involvement of phospholipase A1 (PLA1) activity in synaptic plasticity.

Here, we show that genetic ablation of the PLA1 isoform DDHD2 in mice dramatically reduces saturated FFA responses to memory acquisition across the brain.

Furthermore, DDHD2 loss also decreases memory performance in reward-based learning and spatial memory models prior to the development of neuromuscular deficits that mirror human spastic paraplegia. Via pulldown-mass spectrometry analyses, we find that DDHD2 binds to the key synaptic protein STXBP1.

Using STXBP1/2 knockout neurosecretory cells and a haploinsufficient STXBP1+/mouse model of human early infantile encephalopathy associated with intellectual disability and motor dysfunction, we show that STXBP1 controls targeting of DDHD2 to the plasma membrane and generation of saturated FFAs in the brain.

These findings suggest key roles for DDHD2 and STXBP1 in lipid metabolism andin the processes of synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory.

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Fatty Acids in Brain Key in Memory Formation - Neuroscience News

Neuroscience

The Synergistic Relationship between Human Brains and Large Language Models: A Cognitive and Social Revolution – Medriva

As we navigate the digital age, our understanding of cognitive development is evolving. One notable area of growth is the burgeoning partnership between human brains and Large Language Models (LLMs). This relationship is not just a scientific curiosity, but a pivotal cognitive and social advance thats reshaping how we think, solve problems, and innovate.

At the heart of this partnership is language. As explored in a Psychology Today article, language serves as a shared foundation between human cognition and LLMs. Its through language that these two entities collaborate, resulting in complementary capabilities that elevate collective wisdom and unlock new avenues of exploration and creativity.

But the synergy doesnt stop at language alone. A recent Science Daily report highlights a new perspective on how LLMs can be utilized by neuroscientists to interpret and analyze data. The potential for LLMs to generate insights and make clinical progress, even without a full understanding of the biological processes they discover, is profound. However, leveraging the full potential of LLMs in neuroscience demands more data processing and storage infrastructure, alongside a shift towards a more data-driven scientific approach.

The integration of LLMs into neuroscience is not just about understanding the brainits about changing the face of healthcare. As detailed in an article on Medriva, LLMs like ChatGPT are being used to analyze vast datasets, accelerating discoveries in areas such as neurodegeneration drug development. The use of AI is offering unique insights into the human brain, bridging the gap between circuits and neurons, and providing unprecedented insights into how our brains process information, learn, and make decisions. The development of a virtual brain, a digital twin of the real thing, is now possible, promising breakthroughs in research and shaping the future of healthcare.

While this synergy between human brains and LLMs holds great promise, it also raises critical ethical and privacy concerns. As discussed in a LinkedIn post, the integration of LLMs into various fields such as healthcare, education, and research necessitates careful consideration of data privacy and ethical use. As we continue to leverage LLMs for human decision-making and problem-solving, these concerns must be meticulously addressed to ensure the responsible and fair use of this powerful technology.

In conclusion, the partnership between human brains and LLMs represents a significant leap forward in cognitive and social development. Whether in enriching our collective intelligence, driving breakthroughs in neuroscience, or revolutionizing healthcare, the potential of this synergistic relationship is vast. As we continue to explore this frontier, its crucial to navigate this journey with an ethical compass, ensuring that the benefits are realized responsibly and equitably.

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The Synergistic Relationship between Human Brains and Large Language Models: A Cognitive and Social Revolution - Medriva

Neuroscience

Can’t Buy Me Happiness: Joy Beyond Wealth – Neuroscience News

Summary: Many Indigenous and local communities report high levels of life satisfaction despite low monetary incomes, challenging the widely held belief that economic growth is essential for happiness.

Surveying 2,966 individuals across 19 globally diverse sites, researchers found life satisfaction scores in these communities comparable to those in affluent countries, with some even surpassing the happiness indices of wealthy Scandinavian nations. This research suggests that societal well-being does not necessarily depend on material wealth, offering valuable insights for sustainable living and human happiness.

Factors such as social support, spirituality, and a connection to nature are speculated to underpin this satisfaction, pointing to potential pathways for achieving well-being without contributing to the sustainability crisis.

Key Facts:

Source: UAB

Many Indigenous peoples and local communities around the world are leading very satisfying lives despite having very little money.

This is the conclusion of a study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB), which shows that many societies with very low monetary income have remarkably high levels of life satisfaction, comparable to those in wealthy countries.

Economic growth is often prescribed as a sure way of increasing the well-being of people in low-income countries, and global surveys in recent decades have supported this strategy by showing that people in high-income countries tend to report higher levels of life satisfaction than those in low-income countries. This strong correlation might suggest that only in rich societies can people be happy.

However, a recent study conducted by ICTA-UAB in collaboration with McGill University in Canada suggests that there may be good reasons to question whether this link is universal.

While most global polls, such as the World Happiness Report, gather thousands of responses from the citizens of industrialized societies, they tend to overlook people in small-scale societies on the fringes, where the exchange of money plays a minimal role in everyday life and livelihoods depend directly on nature.

The research, published in the scientific journalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences(PNAS),consisted of a survey of 2,966 people from Indigenous and local communities in 19 globally distributed sites. Only 64% of surveyed households had any cash income.

The results show that surprisingly, many populations with very low monetary incomes report very high average levels of life satisfaction, with scores similar to those in wealthy countries, says Eric Galbraith, researcher at ICTA-UAB and McGill University and lead author of the study.

The average life satisfaction score across the studied small-scale societies was 6.8 on a scale of 0-10. Although not all societies reported being highly satisfied averages were as low as 5.1 four of the sites reported average scores higher than 8, typical of wealthy Scandinavian countries in other polls, and this is so, despite many of these societies having suffered histories of marginalization and oppression.

The results are consistent with the notion that human societies can support very satisfactory lives for their members without necessarily requiring high degrees of material wealth, as measured in monetary terms.

The strong correlation frequently observed between income and life satisfaction is not universal and proves that wealth as generated by industrialized economies is not fundamentally required for humans to lead happy lives, says Victoria Reyes-Garcia, ICREA researcher at ICTA-UAB and senior author of the study.

The findings are good news for sustainability and human happiness, as they provide strong evidence that resource-intensive economic growth is not required to achieve high levels of subjective well-being.

The researchers highlight that, although they now know that people in many Indigenous and local communities report high levels of life satisfaction, they do not know why.

Prior work would suggest that family and social support and relationships, spirituality, and connections to nature are among the important factors on which this happiness is based, but it is possible that the important factors differ significantly between societies or, conversely, that a small subset of factors dominate everywhere.

I would hope that, by learning more about what makes life satisfying in these diverse communities, it might help many others to lead more satisfying lives while addressing the sustainability crisis, Galbraith concludes.

Author: Octavi Lopez Source: UAB Contact: Octavi Lopez UAB Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: The findings will appear in PNAS

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Can't Buy Me Happiness: Joy Beyond Wealth - Neuroscience News

Neuroscience

ADHD as an Asset in Entrepreneurship – Neuroscience News

Summary: Individuals with ADHD possess unique cognitive abilities that can make them successful entrepreneurs. The study suggests that people with ADHD excel at collecting and utilizing diverse stimuli from their environment, turning these into valuable resources for entrepreneurial ventures.

Through the development of routines and heuristics, they can efficiently process and organize information, enhancing qualities crucial for entrepreneurial success such as alertness, adaptability, and intent. This perspective challenges traditional views of ADHD as a deficit, highlighting its potential advantages in the entrepreneurial realm and beyond.

Key Facts:

Source: West Virginia University

The brains of people with ADHD function in ways that can benefit them as entrepreneurs, according to research from theWest Virginia UniversityJohn Chambers College of Business and Economics.

Associate ProfessorNancy McIntyresaid her paper in theInternational Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Researchbroadens the scope, in an entrepreneurial context, from if ADHD functions to how ADHD functions. The paper is based on a study demonstrating an entrepreneur with ADHD is able to use routines, patterns and habits like a big net that captures and stores stimuli from the environment for later use.

My coauthors and I are advancing the idea that ADHD is not a cognitive deficit or disability when considering entrepreneurship, she said.

Someone with ADHD and high entrepreneurial intent might go to a big event and meet person after person with knowledge, advice, contact information, venture capital or other resources to offer.

Because their mind tends to hop all over the place, theyre making lots of connections and filing them in a way that allows them to use those resources in the future. Their net becomes thicker and thicker with resources that could be used to start or support their company.

McIntyre is the former owner of an advertising agency and has ADHD herself. She said that in one-on-one conversations and larger meetings, the ADHD created a constant rattle in my brain: Boy, its cold in here. Are those new glasses hes wearing? Would our client like red on that brochure more than blue? Are the kids having fun at day care?

Like McIntyre, many people with ADHD find it especially difficult not to immediately attend to new information. Theyre predisposed to speedy cognitive processing and quick decisions, bouncing from stimulus to stimulus, continually scanning their environments and swiftly shifting their attention from old data to new.

To deal with the constant influx of information, people with ADHD often develop habits, routines, processes or shortcuts that help them assimilate all that data without becoming exhausted by it. Those routines are examples of what McIntyre calls resource-induced coping heuristics.

She has developed her own set of heuristics to help her cope with the massive quantity of information streaming into her mind.

In the morning, my executive assistant provided me with a schedule. At the end of each day, she provided me with a summary and action items. She was always at my side taking notes, or if she wasnt available, she had a recorder on the table so I could review the tape later. Those routines helped me use my resources to focus on the important information.

McIntyre explained a cognitive heuristic takes the load off your brain. A walking heuristic, for example, allows a person to walk without thinking about every step as they take it. A driving heuristic allows someone to start the car, fasten their seatbelt, step on the brake and shift into gear more or less automatically.

Everyone uses heuristic routines to perform common tasks efficiently, without thinking through or about each part of the process. But McIntyres research reveals that for entrepreneurs with ADHD, heuristics can be critical to three key qualities for their success: alertness, adaptability and entrepreneurial intent.

McIntyre identified individuals with ADHD among 581 survey respondents who answered questions about those qualities.

Alert entrepreneurs were good at recognizing the business opportunities around them, reading voraciously and interacting with others in order to have an ear to the ground. Those who were adaptable could change course when appropriate, challenging their own assumptions and double checking their comprehension about a problem or task.

And those with high entrepreneurial intent were committed to establishing their own business, searching actively for start-up opportunities. ADHD helped drive each of these positive outcomes, McIntyre found.

She said she was interested in ADHD in a specifically entrepreneurial context because , while traditional employment rarely leaves much room for running off in a lot of directions, she believes entrepreneurship can offer those with ADHD the freedom to fail and try again.

We need to get rid of the word disability and learn to value differences and adapt to them as a society, McIntyre said.

Even in the world of traditional employment, many companies Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft are starting to look for job candidates with cognitive differences because those differences make them very skilled at certain tasks. Those with ADHD are known to be more curious, creative, imaginative and innovative.

For people with ADHD who do want to pursue entrepreneurial careers, this research shows the more they can do to strengthen their net of routines for gathering and organizing information, the better.

Author: Micaela Morrissette Source: West Virginia University Contact: Micaela Morrissette West Virginia University Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Closed access. The effects of neurodiversity on cognitive attributes of entrepreneurs by Nancy McIntyre et al. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research

Abstract

The effects of neurodiversity on cognitive attributes of entrepreneurs

This study investigates how attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in entrepreneurs functions through coping schema to affect entrepreneurship-related cognitions. It is proposed that the resource-induced coping heuristic (RICH) bridges the conceptual gap between pathological cognitive executive control/reward attributes and cognitive resources, specifically entrepreneurial alertness, cognitive adaptability and entrepreneurial intent.

With data from 581 entrepreneurs, this study utilizes partial least squares structural equation modeling for analysis. Additionally, a two-stage hierarchical component modeling approach was used to estimate latent variable scores for higher-order constructs.

Findings indicate the RICH mediates the relationships ADHD has with alertness, cognitive adaptability and entrepreneurial intent.

The RICH is introduced as a mechanism to explain how ADHD indirectly influences entrepreneurial alertness, cognitive adaptability and entrepreneurial intent.

Link:
ADHD as an Asset in Entrepreneurship - Neuroscience News

Neuroscience

PCOS Linked to Higher Suicide Risk – Neuroscience News

Summary: A comprehensive study involving over 18,000 women has uncovered a startling correlation between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and an increased risk of suicide attempts, with PCOS patients being 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than those without the condition.

The study draws from the Taiwanese nationwide database, spanning from 1997 to 2012, to highlight the urgent need for mental health and suicide risk assessment in women diagnosed with PCOS. This endocrine disorder, affecting up to 10% of women of reproductive age, is associated with various health challenges, including infertility and obesity, which can severely impact quality of life and elevate the risk for several psychiatric conditions.

The findings emphasize the critical importance of integrated healthcare approaches that address both the physical and mental health aspects of PCOS.

Key Facts:

Source: American College of Physicians

A study of more than 18,000 women found that patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were 8 times more likely to attempt suicide compared with control group.

These findings highlight the importance of routine monitoring of mental health and suicide risk in persons diagnosed with PCOS.

The study is published inAnnals of Internal Medicine.

PCOS is a prevalent endocrine disorder, affecting up 10% of women in their reproductive years. Common attributes associated with PCOS include infertility, acne, dysmenorrhea, hirsutism, and obesity, which can collectively contribute to a decreased quality of life.

In addition, a substantial body of evidence indicates that persons diagnosed with PCOS have higher risk for psychiatric conditions, such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.

Researchers from Taipei Veterans General Hospital studied data from the Taiwanese nationwide database from 1997 to 2012 for 18,960 women diagnosed with PCOS to assess suicide risk, accounting for psychiatric comorbid conditions and age group.

They found that persons diagnosed with PCOS faced an 8.47-fold increase in risk for suicide attempt compared with the control group, even after accounting for demographics, psychiatric comorbid conditions, physical conditions, and all-cause clinical visits. An adolescent subgroup had a notable 5.38-fold elevated risk for suicide attempt.

The authors note that their findings remained robust when excluding the first year or the first 3 years of observation.

Author: Angela Collom Source: American College of Physicians Contact: Angela Collom American College of Physicians Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Closed access. Suicide Attempts After a Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome by Mu-Hong Chen et al. Annals of Internal Medicine

Abstract

Suicide Attempts After a Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Limited evidence exists about suicide risk in persons with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

To assess suicide risk in persons with PCOS, accounting for psychiatric comorbid conditions and age group.

Cohort study.

Data from the Taiwanese nationwide database from 1997 to 2012.

A cohort of 18960 patients diagnosed with PCOS, each matched with control participants in a 1:10 ratio on the basis of age, psychiatric comorbid conditions, urbanization level, and income. Suicide attempts were evaluated using Cox regression models.

Suicide risk with hazard ratios (HRs).

Participants with PCOS had a notable 8.47-fold increase in risk for suicide attempt compared with the control group (HR, 8.47 [95% CI, 7.54 to 9.51]), after adjustment for demographic characteristics, psychiatric comorbid conditions, Charlson Comorbidity Index scores, and frequency of all-cause clinical visits. The elevated risk was evident across the adolescent (HR, 5.38 [CI, 3.93 to 7.37]), young adult (<40 years; HR, 9.15 [CI, 8.03 to 10.42]), and older adult (HR, 3.75 [CI, 2.23 to 6.28]) groups. Sensitivity analyses involving the exclusion of data from the first year or the first 3 years of observation yielded consistent results.

Potential underestimation of PCOS and mental disorder prevalence due to use of administrative claims data; lack of clinical data, such as body mass index and depressive symptoms; and no assessment of a confounding effect of valproic acid exposure.

This study underscores the heightened risk for suicide attempt that persons with PCOS face, even after adjustment for demographics, psychiatric comorbid conditions, physical conditions, and all-cause clinical visits. This suggests the importance of routine monitoring of mental health and suicide risk in persons diagnosed with PCOS.

Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yen Tjing Ling Medical Foundation, and Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan.

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PCOS Linked to Higher Suicide Risk - Neuroscience News

Genetics

Genetics of estrogen production linked to endometrial cancer risk in postmenopausal women – News-Medical.Net

In a recent study published in eBioMedicine, researchers determine the genetic regulation of blood estrone levels in postmenopausal women to explore associations between their genetic loci and endometrial cancer.

Study:Genome-wide association study identifies genetic regulation of oestrone concentrations and association with endometrial cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Image Credit: Peakstock / Shutterstock.com

Once a woman has gone through menopause, her ovaries no longer produce estrogens, thereby causing her serum estradiol concentrations to be extremely low or undetectable. In Type 1 estrogen-sensitive endometrial cancer, which accounts for over 80% of all endometrial cancers and predominantly affects menopausal women, estrone, the contributing estrogen, is synthesized in non-ovarian tissues like fat. Following the production of estronein these tissues, this hormone is converted into estradiol, a more potent form of estrogen.

Previous studies have shown that obesity is a significant risk factor for Type 1 endometrial cancer. This association may be attributed to the greater amount of total fat mass that facilitates more estrone production.

Alternatively, various genetic factors may lead to increased estrone production after menopause, thereby contributing to an increased risk of endometrial cancer in these women. In fact, one variant in the CYP19A1 gene, which is involved in the aromatization of testosterone to estradiol, has been positively associated with estradiol concentrations and postmenopausal endometrial cancer.

Importantly, studies investigating the relationship between CYP19A1 variants and endometrial cancer risk have been limited due to their small sample size and lack of sensitive analytical methods.

In the present genome-wide association study (GWAS), researchers quantified blood estrone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels with high precision using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with sex hormone concentrations. The association between hormone-associated SNPs and endometrial cancer was determined from 205,427 white British females between 39 and 71 years of age, 0.9% of whom were diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

The study also included women 70 and older from the Sex Hormones in Older Women (SHOW) and ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) studies. Non-fasting blood samples were obtained from these study participants to measure sex hormone concentrations through LCMS.

The final analysis cohort comprised 4,951 postmenopausal women of European descent, with a median age of 73.9. No genome-wide signals were observed for testosterone or DHEA, the latter of which is the precursor for both estrone and testosterone. However, the GWAS identified four independent SNPs for estrone concentrations below the genome-wide significance threshold after adjusting for age and BMI.

These SNPs included rs34670419, which may be involved in transcriptional regulation; rs56400819, which contributes to the DNA damage response; rs2846729, which is mapped to a ribonucleic acid (RNA) gene; and rs2414098, which is mapped to CYP19A1. The SNP with the highest prevalence within this study cohort was rs56400819 at 45% as compared to rs34670419, which had the lowest prevalence in this cohort at 4%.

Lower estrone levels were observed for rs34670419, rs2846729, and rs2414098 carriers compared to rs56400819 carriers, who exhibited higher estrone concentrations. Furthermore, rs2414098 carriers had a significantly lower risk of endometrial cancer after adjusting for age at recruitment, BMI, parity, and history of diabetes.

Previous GWAS on endometrial cancer have primarily focused on estradiol concentrations; however, this hormone often cannot be accurately quantified, particularly among postmenopausal women. Comparatively, the current study examined estrone concentrations, in which a dose-response relationship was observed between the identified SNPs and estrone concentrations.

Importantly, the researchers of the current study limited one of their analyses on rs2414098 to women over 58 years of age in an effort to ensure postmenopausal status. These findings confirm that the impact of this SNP on cancer risk can be attributed to estrone and is independent of the effects of circulating estrogens and progesterone.

The current study highlights the importance of measuring estrone levels, in addition to other sex hormones, in postmenopausal women to determine cancer risk. Some important strengths of this study include the confirmation of postmenopausal women in the study cohort, the large sample size, and the use of LCMS, a highly sensitive and precise analytical instrument.

Journal reference:

Link:
Genetics of estrogen production linked to endometrial cancer risk in postmenopausal women - News-Medical.Net

Genetics

Cord Blood Registry (CBR) by CooperSurgical and Fulgent Genetics Launch Innovative Genetic Testing – PR Newswire

Testing offers CBR families the opportunity to proactively seek additional information about their child's health

TRUMBULL, Conn. and EL MONTE, Calif., Feb. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CooperSurgical, a global leader in fertility and women's health, and Fulgent Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLGT), a technology-based company with a well-established clinical diagnostic business and a therapeutic development business, today announced that they have partnered to offer families of Cord Blood Registry (CBR) exclusive newborn genetic screening panels.

"We are proud to offer our CBR families additional resources that complement our newborn stem cell services as we continue to deliver personalized, cutting-edge solutions to families nationwide," said Holly Sheffield, President of CooperSurgical.

Utilizing Fulgent's Picture Genetics platform, CBR, the largest private newborn stem cell preservation company in the world, now offers a range of genetic testing options to its families, including:

"Partnering with CBR allows us to help provide more families with actionable information about their newborn's health," said Brandon Perthuis, Chief Commercial Officer of Fulgent Genetics. "Part of our mission is to use our resources and testing to improve the lives of those around us. Newborn genetic analysis serves as an illustration of this commitment, as early intervention may significantly improve health outcomes for many of these conditions."

These Picture Genetic tests are available now exclusively to CBR clients. All three Picture tests evaluate over 30 genes associated with conditions that are potentially treatable with newborn stem cells as part of a stem cell transplant.1

For more information, please visit http://www.cordblood.com/genetic-testing.

About CBRby CooperSurgical

Cord Blood Registry (CBR) is the largest private newborn stem cell company in the world, helping parents store stem cells from cord blood and cord tissue for their children. Founded in 1994, CBR is the #1 choice for parents1 and most recommended by OB/GYNs for newborn stem cell preservation.2 The company has released over 700 samples intended for use in transplant medicine and regulated investigational regenerative medicine applications.1 CBR is here to help expand the possibilities of what newborn stem cell therapies can do for families and give parents the confidence to Bank on CBR. More information can be found at http://www.cordblood.com.

About CooperSurgical

CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's healthcare company dedicated to putting time on the side of women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most in life. CooperSurgical is at the forefront of delivering innovative assisted reproductive technology and genomic solutions that enhance the work of ART professionals to the benefit of families. We currently offer over 600 clinically relevant medical devices to women's healthcare providers, including testing and treatment options.

CooperSurgical is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CooperCompanies (Nasdaq:COO). CooperSurgical, headquartered inTrumbull, CT, produces and markets a wide array of products and services for use by women's health care clinicians. More information can be found atwww.coopersurgical.com.

About CooperCompanies

CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO) is a leading global medical device company focused on improving lives one person at a time. The Company operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision is a trusted leader in the contact lens industry, improving the vision of millions of people every day. CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's health company dedicated to assisting women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most. Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, CooperCompanies ("Cooper") has a workforce of more than 15,000 with products sold in over 130 countries. For more information, please visitwww.coopercos.com.

About Picture Genetics

Picture Genetics was launched in 2019 as a service of Fulgent Genetics. Picture Genetics offers consumers direct access to Fulgent's advanced genetic testing and analytics capabilities from the ease and comfort of home, at an affordable price point. With multiple tests available to meet the varying needs of consumers, Picture Genetics provides a holistic approach to at-home genetic screening to complement Fulgent's comprehensive genetic testing analysis. Picture Genetics reports provide medically actionable, clinical-level results with professional medical oversight in one easy process. Visit http://www.picturegenetics.comfor more information.

About Fulgent

Fulgent is a technology-based company with a well-established clinical diagnostic business and a therapeutic development business. Fulgent's clinical diagnostic business offers molecular diagnostic testing services, comprehensive genetic testing, and high-quality anatomic pathology laboratory services designed to provide physicians and patients with clinically actionable diagnostic information to improve the quality of patient care. Fulgent's therapeutic development business is focused on developing drug candidates for treating a broad range of cancers using a novel nanoencapsulation and targeted therapy platform designed to improve the therapeutic window and pharmacokinetic profile of new and existing cancer drugs. The company aims to transform from a genomic diagnostic business into a fully integrated precision medicine company.

References

Contact CooperSurgical EvolveMKD [emailprotected]

Fulgent GeneticsMelanieSoloman, The Blueshirt Group [emailprotected]

SOURCE CooperSurgical

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Cord Blood Registry (CBR) by CooperSurgical and Fulgent Genetics Launch Innovative Genetic Testing - PR Newswire

Genetics

Gene Variant Linked to Lower Levels of Hormonal Birth Control – The Scientist

A genetic variant present in 5 percent of the population is tied to substantially lower blood levels of the active ingredient in a hormonal contraceptive implant, researchers reported this week (March 11) in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Two other, more common genetic variations also correlated with lower levels of the hormone, although not by as much. The authors say the finding may help explain why women taking some oral hormonal contraceptives sometimes get pregnant anyway.

The biggest takeaway is that weve assumed for so long that if a woman taking birth control gets pregnant, then she must have done something wrong, coauthor Aaron Lazorwitz, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the University of Colorado, tells Wired. Instead, maybe we need to pay more attention as physicians to other things that might be going on, like genetics, so we can give better, more individualized treatment to women...

Lazorwitz and his colleagues recruited 350 women using a form of birth control that is implanted under the skin, where it slowly releases the hormone etonogestrel into the bloodstream to suppress ovulation. They tested the womens genes and monitored their blood levels of etonogestrel. People with a mutation that keeps the gene CYP3A7, which breaks down hormones, active into adulthood had lower levels of etonogestrel, on average, than those without the variant. Lower levels of etonogestrel were also associated with higher body mass index, a longer length of time women had been using the implant, and to a lesser extent with variants in the genes NR1I2(PXR) and PGR, which code for steroid receptors.

The risk of unintended pregnancy while on birth control for women who carry the CYP3A7 variant cannot be quantified. Not at this point. It's too early, Lazorwitz tells CNN. He says he doesnt think the variant will affect how well the implant works, but that it could possibly affect the action of oral contraceptives, which put lower levels of hormones into circulation in the body. Theres so much we dont know about birth control. There seem to be things outside of a womans control like genetics that could impact how well birth control works, he says. And we need to start taking those things in consideration.

The study provides a glimpse into the next questions we should be asking as to how we can improve care, Anne Davis, an obstetrician and gynecologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center who was not involved in the work, tells Reuters. Knowing that there is a difference in how people metabolize hormones sets the stage for more research that can help us understand the experiences of women better and that can help us give the right medication to the right patient.

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Gene Variant Linked to Lower Levels of Hormonal Birth Control - The Scientist

Genetics

CooperSurgical, Fulgent partner on genetic screening panels – Medical Device Network

US-based CooperSurgical has partnered with Fulgent Genetics to provide exclusive newborn genetic screening panels to families of the CBR.

The collaboration leverages Fulgents Picture Genetics platform to offer a suite of genetic testing options through CBR, a private newborn stem cell preservation company and a CooperSurgical brand.

Fulgent Genetics chief commercial officer Brandon Perthuis said: Partnering with CBR allows us to help provide more families with actionable information about their newborns health.

Part of our mission is to use our resources and testing to improve the lives of those around us. Newborn genetic analysis serves as an illustration of this commitment, as early intervention may significantly improve health outcomes for many of these conditions.

The testing options include CBR Snapshot, which screens for more than 250 genes related to various disorders in children where early detection could be crucial.

CBR Portrait expands on this by screening for over 600 genes, including those related to rare conditions.

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The most comprehensive test, CBR Landscape, screens for more than 1,500 genes and includes a pharmacogenetic component to predict medication metabolism and potential adverse reactions.

All these Picture Genetic tests are made available exclusively to CBR clients and evaluate genes associated with conditions potentially treatable with newborn stem cells.

CoperSurgical president Holly Sheffield said: We are proud to offer our CBR families additional resources that complement our newborn stem cell services as we continue to deliver personalised, cutting-edge solutions to families nationwide.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of CooperCompanies, CooperSurgical is engaged in producing and marketing products and services for use by womens health care clinicians.

Last year, CooperCompanies acquired certain medical device assets, focused primarily on Doppler monitoring, obstetrics and gynaecology surgery markets, from Cook Medical.

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CooperSurgical, Fulgent partner on genetic screening panels - Medical Device Network

Genetics

UM Today | Faculty of Science | The intersection of genetics and advocacy – UM Today

February 12, 2024

Witta Iruvma is a fourth-year genetics student at the University of Manitoba and UMSU Womens Representative. In this interview with her, we learn about her journey in science, her challenges in the field of genetics, how she hopes the Faculty of Science supports students and her advocacy work for the UMSU Womens Centre and Black Student Empowerment Society.

1. Can you share a key moment from your journey in genetics and what sparked your interest in this field? Were there any specific experiences or classes that shaped your passion for genetics?

My interest in science was sparked from a very young age. I am a very curious person and I loved hands-on learning experiences such as science experiments. When I took my first genetics class at university, I discovered an interest in the intricacies of what sets us apart from each other. The Introduction to Human Genetics course not only deepened my understanding but also further shaped my passion for genetic diseases and exploring potential their treatments.

2. Have you faced any obstacles or unique experiences as an undergraduate student in this field? How have you navigated them?

Like many others, I faced challenges attending university online. Commencing my undergraduate journey virtually proved to be especially difficult, as I struggled to adjust to the new experience without the resources that wouldve been readily available in person. Upon transitioning back to in-person classes, I felt behind in both knowledge and experience. Fortunately, relying on my close circle for support proved helpful in navigating the new spaces. I highly recommend seeking guidance from professors or advisors, as I found their support to be incredibly beneficial.

3. How do you think the department, faculty or university could help remove these barriers and provide support?

The university has a lot of great resources; however, it may be challenging to navigate, especially for new students. I believe it wouldve helped me a lot if key resources were pointed out to me when I first started. It was always great to see them highlighted on UM Learn or incorporated into lecture slides. Additionally, I think it would be nice if your department or faculty suggested some student groups or other relevant student accounts you should stay up to date with. This could alleviate feelings of isolation and foster connections with other students in your program.

4. You are the VP for social media and marketing for the UMSU Womens Centre and on the social media team for Black Student Empowerment Society. How do you actively contribute to fostering equity, diversity and inclusion within these roles?

In my role as UMSU Womens Rep, I advocate and promote gender equity and inclusivity on campus through various initiatives. The Womens Centre plan and host events that celebrate womens achievements and contributions. We often collaborate with other student groups to create intersectional events that address the diverse experiences of women. We raise awareness about gendered based issues through campaigns and discussion sessions. On the black empowerment society, the social media team aims to use our platforms to highlight the diverse narratives of our community. We share resources and events that promote understanding and appreciation of diverse Black cultures.

5. How do your studies intersect with and complement your advocacy and leadership roles?

While advancing in my studies, Ive noticed that theres a lack of representation of Black Women within the field of genetics. Promoting diversity and inclusion goes beyond my official roles, my passion for advocacy extends into the science community as well. I believe that representation of individuals from diverse backgrounds in both health care and research ensures that studies do not overlook marginalized communities.

Kimia Shadkami

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UM Today | Faculty of Science | The intersection of genetics and advocacy - UM Today