Category Archives: Neuroscience

Logo for the Get Out the Vax campaign(Photo: provided)

This weekend is the first of two in May for a full-on Get Out the Vax campaign, where Southwest Ohioand Northern Kentucky health care organizations, community groups and private businesses are encouraging people to get COVID-19 vaccines.

Free public transit will be available again as part of the goal to get 80% of people in the region who qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine inoculated by July 4. As of Wednesday, 49% were vaccinated, according to the Health Collaborative, the region's consortium of health systems.

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The campaign was announced on April 6, with two weekends planned for April and May to incentivize and motivate people to get a COVID-19 vaccine. A final campaign weekend is scheduled for May 22-23.

This weekend includes Mother's Day, which campaign officials hope will be incentive enough for many people in the region.

Kaitlyn Clark, a substitute teacher with Fort Thomas Independent Schools, receives her COVID-19 vaccination at St. Elizabeth Training & Education Center, in Erlanger, on Sunday, January 17, 2021.(Photo: Amanda Rossmann, The Enquirer/Amanda Rossmann)

One of the best things to give mom for Mothers Day is a hug, said Kate Schroder, a special adviser for vaccine coordination at the Health Collaborative overseeing the regional campaign, adding that a COVID-19 vaccine can lead to just that.

Check out The Enquirer's vaccine guide for locations and details of the region's vaccine offerings.

People also can goto TestandProtectCincy.comand click on the "Vaccine Info" tab to learn where walk-in vaccines are available. Click on the providers link if you prefer scheduling an appointment.

Schroder said that there are a lot more vaccine clinics in neighborhood events. She also noted people who have trouble with transportationincluding difficulty with using public transit should call 211.

She said still about two-thirds of people in the region are still scheduling appointments, which is why a lot of appointments are available, but more and more, people are walking into vaccination sites.

Cincinnati Health Dept., 3101 Burnet Ave., Corryville; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Moderna vaccine.

HealthCare Connection, 1401 Steffen Ave., Lincoln Heights, and 1411 Compton Road, Mount Healthy; 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.;Moderna vaccine.

Mercy Anderson Red Clinic,7502 State Road, Anderson Township;12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.;Moderna vaccine.

Price Hill Branch Library, 970 Purcell Ave., East Price Hill;11 a.m.-4 p.m; Johnson & Johnsonvaccine.

Tri Health Baldwin building,625 Eden Park Drive, Mount Auburn, 9 a.m.-3 p.mwith Pfizer vaccine.

TriHealth Bethesda Butler Hospital, 3125 Hamilton-Mason Road, Hamilton;Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Moderna vaccine.

TriHealth Bethesda North Outpatient Imaging Center, 10494 Montgomery Road, Montgomery; 8 a.m.-6 p.m.;Moderna vaccine.

TriHealth McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, 110 N. Poplar St., Oxford;8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Pfizer vaccine.

TriHealth Western Ridge,6949 Good Samaritan Drive, Colerain Township; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Pfizer vaccine.

UCHealth Gardner Neuroscience Institute, 3113 Bellevue Ave. Corryville;9 a.m to 5 p.m.,J&J vaccine.

University of CincinnatiClermont College, 4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia; 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.,Pfizer vaccine, sponsored by Clermont County Public Health.

Hartwell Recreation Center, 8725 Vine St.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; J&J vaccine, operated by Cincinnati Health Dept,

Mercy Fairfield Medical Office Building, 2960 Mack Road, Suite 100, Fairfield; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Moderna vaccine.

Tri Health Baldwin building,625 Eden Park Drive, Mount Auburn, 9 a.m.-3 p.mwith Modernavaccine.

TriHealth Bethesda North Outpatient Imaging Center, 10494 Montgomery Road, Montgomery; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.:Moderna vaccine.

Southern Campbell County Fire Dept., 1050 Race Track Road, Alexandria;9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Moderna vaccine.

TriHealth McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, 110 N. Poplar St., Oxford;8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Pfizer vaccine.

TriHealth Western Ridge,6949 Good Samaritan Drive, Colerain Township; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Pfizer vaccine.

UCHealth Gardner Neuroscience Institute, 3113 Bellevue Ave. Corryville;9 a.m to 5 p.m., Pfizervaccine.

TriHealth Bethesda North Outpatient Imaging Center, 10494 Montgomery Road, Montgomery; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.:Moderna vaccine.

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, 3458 Reading Road, Avondale;11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Moderna vaccine..

Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2021/05/06/covid-19-vaccine-campaign-continues-cincinnati-northern-kentucky/4955583001/

Originally posted here:
Get Out the Vax campaign enters third weekend with 49% vaccinated - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Neuroscience

AbbVie to Present Data Across its Robust Neuroscience Portfolio at the 2021 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting – PRNewswire

April 11, 2021 medical

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., April 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced new data from its expansive neuroscience portfolio will be presented at the 2021 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, to be held virtually from April 17-22. A total of 33 abstracts, including one podium presentation during the Clinical Trials Plenary Session and three oral presentations, will be shared from a broad range of studies across the spectrum of migraine, advanced Parkinson's disease and spasticity.

"Our strong presence at AAN reflects our expanded portfolio of approved and investigational treatments designed to address a wide range of complicated, often debilitating neurological disorders," said Michael Gold, M.D., vice president, neuroscience development, AbbVie. "We look forward to sharing our progress in a number of areas, including pivotal Phase 3 data in migraine, with the goal of making a remarkable impact on patients' lives."

Researchers will present data from several studies on migraine, includingnew findings on atogepant, AbbVie's investigational preventive treatment of migraine in adults who meet criteria for episodic migraine as well as results evaluatingthe efficacy and safety of BOTOX(onabotulinumtoxinA) andUBRELVY (ubrogepant).

In addition, investigators will present the study design of the Phase 3 study assessing the efficacy and safety of the investigational treatment ABBV-951 (foslevodopa/foscarbidopa), a levodopa/carbidopa prodrug administered as a 24-hour continuous, subcutaneous infusion in people with advanced Parkinson's disease.

Key AbbVie abstracts and presentation details for the 2021 AAN Annual Meeting program are outlined below. Posters will be available during and for 30 days following the meeting.

Abstract Title

Presentation Details

All times CT

Migraine

Atogepant Significantly Reduces Mean Monthly Migraine Days in the Phase 3 Trial (ADVANCE) for the Prevention of Migraine

Clinical Trials Plenary Session

Tuesday, April 20

9:15 a.m. CT

Long-term Safety and Tolerability of Atogepant 60 mg Following Once Daily Dosing Over 1 year for the Preventive Treatment of Migraine

S5: Headache 1

Saturday, April 17

3 p.m. CT

Atogepant Improved Patient-Reported Migraine-Specific Quality of Life in a 12-Week Phase 3 (ADVANCE) Trial for Preventive Treatment of Migraine

Poster

Atogepant Improved Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) Measures of Activity Impairment in Migraine-Diary and Headache Impact Test in a 12-Week, Double-blind, Randomized Phase 3 (ADVANCE) Trial for Preventive Treatment of Migraine

Poster

Ubrogepant Was Safe and Well Tolerated in the Acute Treatment of Perimenstrual Migraine

S5: Headache 1

Saturday, April 17

3:32 p.m. CT

Assessing Barriers to Care in Episodic and Chronic Migraine: Results From the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study

S15: Headache 2

Monday, April 19

1:32 p.m. CT

Characterizing Preventive Treatment Gaps in Migraine: Results from the CaMEO Study

Poster

Real-World Evidence for Control of Chronic Migraine (CM) in Patients Meeting American Headache Society (AHS) Criteria Who Received Calcitonin GeneRelated Peptide Monoclonal Antibody (CGRPmAb) Therapy Added to OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment

Poster

Real-World Evidence for Control of Patients With Chronic Migraine Who Received CGRP Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Added to OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment

Poster

Consecutive Headache-Free Days With OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment in Patients With Chronic Migraine: A Pooled PREEMPT Analysis

Poster

Real-World Safety and Efficacy of 155-195U OnabotulinumtoxinA in Participants With Chronic Migraine: Results From the REPOSE Study

Poster

Advanced Parkinson's Disease

Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Foslevodopa/Foscarbidopa Versus Oral Levodopa/Carbidopa in Advanced Parkinson's Disease Patients: Design of a Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Double-dummy, Active Controlled 12-Week Trial

Poster

Identifying Care Gaps in Parkinson's Disease Patients Eligible for Device-Aided Therapies: Results from Using the MANAGE-PD Tool in Patients from G7 Countries

Poster

Unmet Needs and Treatment Patterns of Advanced Parkinson's Disease Patients in the United States

Poster

A Retrospective Study Evaluating the Use of Anti-Parkinsonian Medications in Patients with Advanced Parkinson's Disease Who Are Treated with Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel and Deep Brain Stimulation: The PD-DUAL Study

Poster

Sustained Improvements in Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Advanced Parkinson's Disease Patients Treated with Carbidopa Levodopa Enteral Suspension in a 'Real-World' Study: Interim Results of the Multinational DUOGLOBE Study With at least 24 Months Follow-Up

Poster

Spasticity

Consistent Dosing Over Time and Within Treatment Interval Groups with OnabotulinumtoxinA: Analysis from the Adult Spasticity International Registry (ASPIRE)

Poster

A full list of all 33 AbbVie abstracts accepted for presentation at the 2021 AAN Annual Meeting can be found here.

About AtogepantAtogepant is an investigational orally administered, CGRP receptor antagonist (gepant) specifically developed for the preventive treatment of migraine. CGRP and its receptors are expressed in regions of the nervous system associated with migraine pathophysiology. Studies have shown that CGRP levels are elevated during migraine attacks and selective CGRP receptor antagonists confer clinical benefit in migraine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for atogepant. AbbVie anticipates a regulatory decision in late Q3 2021.

About ABBV-951ABBV-951 (foslevodopa/foscarbidopa) is a continuous subcutaneous infusion being investigated for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease.

About BOTOXBOTOXwas first approved by the FDA in 1989 for two rare eye muscle disorders blepharospasmandstrabismusinadults. Today, BOTOX is FDA-approved for 12 therapeutic indications, including Chronic Migraine, overactive bladder, leakage of urine (incontinence) due to overactive bladder caused by a neurologic condition in adults, cervical dystonia, adult and pediatric spasticity, severe underarm sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis), and pediatric detrusor overactivity associated with a neurologic condition.

BOTOX(onabotulinumtoxinA) ImportantInformation

IndicationsBOTOXis aprescriptionmedicinethatisinjectedintomuscles andused:

BOTOXis alsoinjectedintotheskintotreatthesymptoms ofsevere underarm sweating(severe primaryaxillaryhyperhidrosis)whenmedicines usedonthe skin(topical) donotwork wellenoughinpeople18years andolder.

Itis notknownwhether BOTOXissafeand effectivetopreventheadaches in patientswithmigraine whohave14orfewer headachedays eachmonth (episodicmigraine).

BOTOXhasnotbeenshowntohelppeopleperformtask-specific functions withtheir upper limbsor increasemovementinjointsthatare permanentlyfixedinpositionbystiffmuscles.

Itis notknownwhether BOTOXis safeand effectivefor severe sweating anywhere other thanyour armpits.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONBOTOXmaycause serioussideeffects that can belifethreatening.Get medicalhelp right awayifyou haveanyoftheseproblemsanytime(hours toweeks) afterinjection ofBOTOX:

There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect away from the injection site when BOTOX has been used at the recommended dose to treat chronic migraine, severe underarm sweating, blepharospasm, or strabismus.

BOTOX may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness within hours to weeks of taking BOTOX. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

Do not receive BOTOX if you: are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA); have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

Do not receive BOTOX for the treatment of urinary incontinence if you: have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or cannot empty your bladder on your own and are not routinely catheterizing. Due to the risk of urinary retention (not being able to empty the bladder), only patients who are willing and able to initiate catheterization post treatment, if required, should be considered for treatment.

Patients treated for overactive bladder:In clinical trials, 36 of the 552 patients had to self-catheterize for urinary retention following treatment with BOTOX compared to 2 of the 542 treated with placebo. The median duration of post-injection catheterization for these patients treated with BOTOX 100 Units (n = 36) was 63 days (minimum 1 day to maximum 214 days) as compared to a median duration of 11 days (minimum 3 days to maximum 18 days) for patients receiving placebo (n = 2). Patients with diabetes mellitus treated with BOTOX were more likely to develop urinary retention than nondiabetics.

Adult Patients treated for overactive bladder due to neurologic disease:In clinical trials, 30.6% of patients (33/108) who were not using clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) prior to injection, required catheterization for urinary retention following treatment with BOTOX 200 Units as compared to 6.7% of patients (7/104) treated with placebo. The median duration of post-injection catheterization for these patients treated with BOTOX 200 Units (n = 33) was 289 days (minimum 1 day to maximum 530 days) as compared to a median duration of 358 days (minimum 2 days to maximum 379 days) for patients receiving placebo (n = 7). Among patients not using CIC at baseline, those with MS were more likely to require CIC post injection than those with SCI.

The dose of BOTOX is not the same as, or comparable to, another botulinum toxin product.

Serious and/or immediate allergic reactions have been reported, including itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, dizziness, or feeling faint. Get medical help right away if you experience symptoms; further injection of BOTOX should be discontinued.

Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions,such as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects, including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing from typical doses of BOTOX.

Tell your doctor if you have any breathing-related problems. Your doctor may monitor you for breathing problems during treatment with BOTOX for spasticity or for detrusor overactivity associated with a neurologic condition. The risk of developing lung disease in patients with reduced lung function is increased in patients receiving BOTOX.

Cornea problems have been reported. Cornea (surface of the eye) problems have been reported in some people receiving BOTOX for their blepharospasm, especially in people with certain nerve disorders. BOTOX may cause the eyelids to blink less, which could lead to the surface of the eye being exposed to air more than is usual. Tell your doctor if you experience any problems with your eyes while receiving BOTOX. Your doctor may treat your eyes with drops, ointments, contact lenses, or with an eye patch.

Bleeding behind the eye has been reported. Bleeding behind the eyeball has been reported in some people receiving BOTOX for their strabismus. Tell your doctor if you notice any new visual problems while receiving BOTOX.

Bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections (common colds) have been reported. Bronchitis was reported more frequently in adults receiving BOTOX for upper limb spasticity. Upper respiratory infections were also reported more frequently in adults with prior breathing-related problems with spasticity. In pediatric patients treated with BOTOX for upper limb spasticity, upper respiratory tract infections were reported more frequently. In pediatric patients treated with BOTOX for lower limb spasticity, upper respiratory tract infections were not reported more frequently than placebo.

Autonomic dysreflexia in patients treated for overactive bladder due to neurologic disease. Autonomic dysreflexia associated with intradetrusor injections of BOTOX could occur in patients treated for detrusor overactivity associated with a neurologic condition and may require prompt medical therapy. In clinical trials, the incidence of autonomic dysreflexia was greater in adult patients treated with BOTOX 200 Units compared with placebo (1.5% versus 0.4%, respectively).

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you: have or have had bleeding problems; have plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; weakness of forehead muscles; trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; any other abnormal facial change; have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and are being treated for urinary incontinence (symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include pain or burning with urination, frequent urination, or fever); have problems emptying your bladder on your own and are being treated for urinary incontinence; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known ifBOTOX can harm your unborn baby); are breastfeeding or plan to (it is not known if BOTOX passes into breast milk).

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using BOTOX with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received BOTOX in the past.

Tell your doctor if you received any other botulinum toxin product in the last 4 months; have received injections of botulinum toxin such as Myobloc, Dysport, or Xeomin in the past (tell your doctor exactly which product you received); have recently received an antibiotic by injection; take muscle relaxants; take an allergy or cold medicine; take a sleep medicine; take aspirin-like products or blood thinners.

Other side effects of BOTOX include: dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, dry eyes; drooping eyebrows; and upper respiratory tract infection. In adults being treated for urinary incontinence, other side effects include urinary tract infection and painful urination. In children being treated for urinary incontinence, other side effects include urinary tract infection and bacteria in the urine. If you have difficulty fully emptying your bladder on your own after receiving BOTOX, you may need to use disposable self-catheters to empty your bladder up to a few times each day until your bladder is able to start emptying again.

For more information refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatchor call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see BOTOX full ProductInformation,including Boxed Warning and MedicationGuide.

About UBRELVY (ubrogepant)UBRELVY (ubrogepant) is an orally administered calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist (gepant) for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults that is an option for a wide range of patients who experience migraine attacks. UBRELVY is the first pill of its kind to directly block CGRP, a protein released during a migraine attack, from binding to its receptors.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONWho should not take UBRELVY (ubrogepant)?Do not take UBRELVY if you are taking medicines known as strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, clarithromycin, itraconazole.What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking UBRELVY?Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take UBRELVY with other medicines.

What are the most common side effects of UBRELVY?The most common side effects are nausea (4%) and sleepiness (3%). These are not all of the possible side effects of UBRELVY.

What is UBRELVY (ubrogepant)?UBRELVY is a prescription medicine used for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults. UBRELVY is not used to prevent migraine headaches.Please see full PrescribingInformation.

About DUOPADUOPA (carbidopa and levodopa) enteral suspension is a prescription medicine used for treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease. DUOPA contains two medicines: carbidopa and levodopa.

Important Safety InformationWhat is the most important safety information I should know about DUOPA?

Your healthcare provider will talk to you about the stoma procedure. Before the stoma procedure, tell your healthcare provider if you ever had a surgery or problems with your stomach.

Talk to your healthcare provider about what you need to do to care for your stoma. After the procedure, you and your healthcare provider will need to regularly check the stoma for any signs of infection.

Do not take DUOPA if you currently take or have recently taken (within 2 weeks) a medication for depression called a non-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAO inhibitor.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using DUOPA with certain other medicines, including medications for high blood pressure, MAO inhibitors, antipsychotics, metoclopramide, isoniazid, and iron or vitamin supplements, may cause serious side effects. High-protein foods may affect how DUOPA works. Tell your healthcare provider if you change your diet.

DUOPA may cause serious side effects. Talk to your doctor before starting DUOPA and while on DUOPA if you have had or have any of these:

Do not stop using DUOPA or change your dose unless you are told to do so by your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop withdrawal symptoms such as fever, confusion, or severe muscle stiffness.

The most common side effects of DUOPA include: complications of tubing placement procedure, swelling of legs and feet, nausea, high blood pressure (hypertension), depression, and mouth and throat pain.

See the article here:
AbbVie to Present Data Across its Robust Neuroscience Portfolio at the 2021 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting - PRNewswire

Neuroscience

Q&A: What Is ‘Interoception,’ and Why Are Neuroscientists So Fascinated by It? – University of Virginia

April 11, 2021 medical

We are all pretty familiar with how our bodies sense what is going on in the outside world what we see, hear, touch, taste or smell.

But exactly how do our brains sense and react to what is going on internally pain, or hunger, or the simple need to breathe?

This internal sense is called interoception, and its often referred to as the bodys sixth sense. The concept has been around for a while, but neuroscientists have grown even more interested as technological and scientific breakthroughs allow us to more precisely understand how our bodies relay signals from an organ to the brain and back again.

We have more tools to bring to bear, and more recognition that these internal sensor systems have not been as well-studied as the five senses we all know, said neuroscientist Doug Bayliss, professor and chair of the University of Virginia Pharmacology Department. Interoceptive systems should get equal attention, because they have important consequences for everything from how we breathe to how we control eating, sleep, blood pressure or pain.

Bayliss is a member of UVAs Brain Institute, which is building a network of scientists across Grounds focused on some of the most important problems in neuroscience today. We asked him to tell us more about interoception.

Q. How do you define interoception?

A. Typically, when we think of our sensory systems, we think of sensing things outside the body. Interoception is sensing things inside the body. It encompasses a wide range of sensory systems. Some are conscious, sending signals that we act on volitionally you feel hungry and you eat; you feel tired and you sleep. Others are unconscious, such as the homeostatic systems that sense a spike in blood pressure and instruct your body to lower your heart rate, helping your blood pressure return to normal. One example that has been of interest during COVID-19 relates to low blood oxygen levels. We dont really understand how respiratory insufficiency leads to the unpleasant internal sensation of air hunger (so-called dyspnea) and why COVID patients often do not present with this symptom despite sometimes dangerously low oxygen levels.

We have known about some of these systems for a while, but there are also some that we are just now discovering or understanding.

Q. How is new technology increasing interest in this area of study?

A. In some ways, the word interoception is a rebranding of something that scientists have studied for a long time. However, there is increasing interest because there are a lot of new tools available to help researchers explore our internal sensory systems.

New molecular and genetic sequencing tools can help us identify exactly which classes of cells are driving a particular sensation. For example, we can identify the neurons with stretch-activated sensors in the lungs that convey to the brain when the lungs are expanding. Those cells can be identified by specific genetic markers, and we can record and follow their activity and behavior.

The next question is, are there ways we can control the activity of those cells? Can we make the brain think the lung is expanding even when it is not? Could that help us understand internal sensations associated with breathing (i.e., air hunger) and treat different disorders or illnesses? Similar approaches can be applied to many systems.

Q. Your research particularly focuses on how the body controls breathing. What have you learned?

A. One of the major control points for breathing is the level of carbon dioxide in your body. If you produce more CO2 because of a metabolic increase, then you need to breathe it out. There are sensors in the brain that detect elevated levels of CO2, which are connected to the motor systems that make your lungs breathe in and out. It is a homeostatic system that adjusts to keep CO2 levels at a stable point similar to how you set the temperature in your house and then your air conditioner or furnace adjusts accordingly.

My lab, in collaboration with [recently retired UVA pharmacology colleague] Patrice Guyenet, is interested in identifying and tracking the brain cells that sense CO2 and the actual molecules in those cells that serve as detectors.

These cells are required for normal breathing, and studying them has clinical implications. For example, abnormalities in these cells likely contribute to a condition called congenital hypoventilation syndrome, a thankfully rare disorder that causes patients to stop breathing and fail to arouse during sleep. Obviously, this is an extremely dangerous condition; many patients have to be on a ventilator when they sleep.

Animal models of this disease show that the particular neurons we have been studying fail to develop. Understanding how these neurons affect sensory systems interoceptive processes can help us shed light on what these patients are experiencing and how we can help them.

Q. Where do you see the field going next?

A. There is a ton of interesting work going on at UVA in these areas. Ali Gler and John Campbell in the biology department are studying hunger. Researchers in the Center for Brain Immunology and Glia are understanding how our immune system senses pathogens and affects brain function.

Signaling also goes in the opposite direction; for example Patrice Guyenet and Dr. Mark Okusa are looking at how the brain controls immune system function. Many people are also doing fascinating research on the microbiome the bacteria in our gut and how those bacteria affect our health. [UVA researchers have connected the microbiome to numerous health concerns.]

Interoception is a broad field that covers so many things, but it also provides a framework for developing collaboration between different research groups, building connections and studying interactions. There is broad national interest in the topic right now, and new technologies and discoveries are attracting a broader swath of neuroscientists. Its exciting.

Continued here:
Q&A: What Is 'Interoception,' and Why Are Neuroscientists So Fascinated by It? - University of Virginia

Neuroscience

Rune Labs Announces Formation of Scientific Advisory Board of Experts in Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering – BioSpace

April 11, 2021 medical

Since closing our seed financing in 2020, Rune Labs has made tremendous strides toward advancing our goal of bringing precision medicines to neurodegenerative disorders by making brain data useful at scale, said Brian Pepin, founder and CEO, Rune Labs. With the addition of Drs. Barlow and Nagarajan as scientific advisors, we are building a Scientific Advisory Board of world class neuroscientists and biomedical engineers whose deep knowledge and experience will help to guide us as we continue to build out our brain data platform and engage with academic collaborators and industry partnerships.

Carrolee Barlow, M.D., Ph.D., and Srikantan Nagarajan, Ph.D., join as members of the Rune Labs Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Barlow is a renowned expert in neuroscience and neurodegeneration and formerly served as Chief Executive Officer of the Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center. Dr. Nagarajan is an expert in biomedical engineering and integrative neuroscience. He is a Professor in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco.

The genetic ambiguity of Parkinsons Disease has made it difficult to develop treatments that target the underlying mechanisms of the disease, said Dr. Barlow. Rune Labs is using its brain data platform to help drug developers advance precision medicines for patients with Parkinsons and other neurodegenerative diseases by identifying the functional changes unique to each patient to uncover hidden disease phenotypes and enable its partners to design better targeted therapies for patients. I look forward to applying my years of experience in neurodegeneration to advising the team at Rune Labs as they work to enable targeted treatment options for patients.

There is an enormous amount of brain data collected by neuromodulation devices, wearable devices, brain image scans and other sources, said Dr. Nagarajan. Rune Labs platform automates the labeling, ingestion, and indexing of brain data at scale to create an aggregate dataset. I am eager to lend my support and expertise to Rune Labs as they work in the intersection of applied data and neuroscience.

Carrolee Barlow, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Barlow is a renowned expert in neuroscience, neurodegeneration and rare diseases whose work has spanned clinical care, laboratory and clinical research, academia, and industry. She is currently Chief Medical Officer of ESCAPE Bio and formerly served as Chief Executive Officer of the Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center where she led all aspects of basic research, clinical research, and clinical care, as well as formed partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

Srikantan Nagarajan, Ph.D.

Srikantan Nagarajan, Ph.D., is an expert in biomedical engineering and integrative neuroscience and is focused on the development and refinement of multimodal structural and functional brain imaging and brain computer interfaces. He is a Professor in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and has joint appointments in the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. He also serves as the Director of the Biomagnetic Imaging Laboratory at UCSF.

About Rune Labs

Rune Labs, Inc. is empowering the development of precision medicines for Parkinsons Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders by using its software platform to make brain data useful at scale. We partner with academic collaborators to optimize clinical care for patients and with biopharma and medtech companies to enable the development of targeted treatments for patients with brain diseases. http://www.runelabs.io

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210405005134/en/

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Rune Labs Announces Formation of Scientific Advisory Board of Experts in Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering - BioSpace

Neuroscience

Neuroscience Professor Awarded NIH Grant to Study Links Between COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s – Rutgers Today

April 11, 2021 medical

Mark Gluck,Professor of Neuroscience at the Center forMolecular & Behavioral Neuroscience(CMBN) at the School of Arts & Sciences-Newark,has received a new grant from theNational Institutes of Health (NIH)to study thecognitive, neural, and immunological consequences of COVID-19 in older African Americans and how they relate to risk for Alzheimers Disease.

With this grant, Gluck seeks to investigate the links between Alzheimer's Disease and COVID-19, which share common immunological pathways and age-related risk. This is particularly critical for African Americanssince they are known be at elevated risk for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease, andare also currently experiencing the highest overall COVID-19 mortality rates. Understanding how COVID-19 impacts cognition, neural function, and risk for Alzheimer'smay lead to new insights that inform clinically relevant future research on how age-related decline and dysfunction within the immune system may play a causal role inAlzheimer's.

The awardfrom the NIHs National Institute on Aging for $643,396 isa supplement toGluck's current NIHgrant, "Risk Factors for Future Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer's Disease in Older African Americans,"andis in addition to another supplementthe group will useto fund a minority postdoctoral fellowship. This bringstheir total 2021-2022 annual awardfrom NIHfor this project to$1,432,216.

Gluckand his labwillcollaboratewith two leadingimmunologists at the RutgersBiomedical andHealthSciences (RBHS)/NJ MedicalSchoolon this new grant,Patricia Fitzgerald-Bocarsly, Provost of NJMS/RBHS-Newark and Professor of Pathology,andMarila Gennaro, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology. The joint award will supportinterdisciplinary research acrossthethree labs -bridging neuroscience, public health, and immunology - allowing graduate students andpostdoctoralfellows from both Rutgers-Newark and RBHS to expand in newdirections.

Our goal is to find links between Alzheimers Disease and COVID-19 severity and mortality.

In describing the study, Gluck says Our core goal is to answer the following question:What underlying immunological mechanism links both Alzheimers disease and COVID-19 to common risk factors and might thus explain causal (and possibly reciprocal) links between Alzheimers Disease and COVID-19 severity and mortality?

There are numerous commonalities between Alzheimers Disease and COVID-19. Common risk factors for both include advanced age, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and being African American. Older adults with Alzheimer's, or healthy young individuals with Alzheimer's Disease risk genes, are both at elevated risk for COVID-19 mortality. What is not known is whetherthe converse is also true:Will surviving COVID-19 increase future risk for Alzheimers Disease?

Both diseases are also known to damage the same area of the brain: the hippocampus, a key structure for encoding and storing new information. This brain region has been the focus ofthe GluckLabs neurocomputational and cognitive neuroscience studies for the last three decades. What underlies these similarities between Alzheimers Disease and COVID-19?Could immune dysfunction be the common link?Although there is increasing evidence that Alzheimersinvolves disruption to the immune system,researchersdo not sufficiently understand how Alzheimers Disease pathology and risk are related to specific processes within the immune system.

African Americans continue to suffer fromhigh rates of COVID-19 mortality: About 3.6 times as high as the rate for white Americans.Older African Americans are particularly vulnerable to severe health consequences if they are exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.It is notknownwhy some older African Americans suffer far worse outcomes from COVID-19 than others, or what are the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 for African Americans. The newstudy will address both knowledge gaps.

Over the coming yearthe labwill berecruitingolderAfrican Americans from thegreaterNewark area who survived COVID-19 to join our study, in the hopes to betterunderstand the long-termconsequences of COVID-19 on brain health, immunological health, andAlzheimersDisease. A key partner in this recruitment will bethe labsnewest clinical collaborator,Dr. Alexander Salerno,the leader ofSalerno Medical Associateswhich has provided medical care to the Newark/East Orange communities since the 1950s. They also run a non-profit health education program,Urban Healthcare Initiative Program(UHIP), with whomthe Gluck lab haspartnered for several years. Their medical practice, across five local clinics, cares for about 20,000local residents, including approximately6,000 older African Americans about half of whom had COVID-19 in the past year. As an early leader in the areas response to COVID-19, they have administered COVID-19 tests to over 120,000local residents.

A deeper understanding of the linkages between Alzheimers Disease and COVID-19 may result both in better treatments for long-term neurological consequences of COVID-19 as well as advances in the field of Alzheimers Disease and related dementias. In particular,the labsstudies could lead to a better understanding of the relationship between immune dysfunction and Alzheimers Disease, which, in turn, could inform futureimmunologically-focusedclinical interventions for Alzheimers.

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Neuroscience Professor Awarded NIH Grant to Study Links Between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's - Rutgers Today

Neuroscience

How To Build Relationships And Enhance Happiness: 4 Insights From Neuroscience – Forbes

April 11, 2021 medical

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How To Build Relationships And Enhance Happiness: 4 Insights From Neuroscience - Forbes

Neuroscience

What causes trypophobia? The neuroscience behind the fear of closely-packed holes – BBC Focus Magazine

April 11, 2021 medical

Are you sitting uncomfortably? Does the picture below make you feel uneasy, unexpectedly nauseous or even terrified? Then weve got news for you: you probably suffer from a degree of trypophobia, an aversion to clusters of small holes.

Dont worry, youre not alone. While its estimated nearly 20 per cent of people are severely repulsed by pictures like the lotus pod above, some scientists think the majority of people react in some form to these images.

I think we all have trypophobia, just to different degrees, says Dr Geoff Cole, one of the first scientists to study the disorder. Just like many other psychological phenomena autism, for instance everyone is on the scale.

A lotus seed pod Getty

However, despite one in five people having severe trypophobia (double the estimated amount of people prone to claustrophobia), the disorder is remarkably under-researched.

This is essentially because nobody was aware of it until the internet developed and these images were shared in forums, says Cole, who published the first scientific paper on the topic (with co-author Prof Arnold Wilkins) in 2013. Because weve just noticed this phenomenon, there is still quite a lot we dont know.

But what has been discovered so far? And can scientists explain why people hate these hole-riddled images? We dig into the issue below alongside more pictures that some may find very uncomfortable. Consider yourself warned.

Its easy to be sceptical about trypophobia, a phobia that came to prominence through chatrooms in the early noughties. Even its name (Greek for boring holes plus fear) emerged from an internet forum away from the gaze of medical professionals.

However, despite these questionable beginnings, Cole has shown that images with high contrasts between dark and light, repeated many times in a field of view (about three times per centimetre at arms length), can have a real impact on a persons body.

A collection of lotus seed pods Getty

His research has shown trypophobic peoples heart rates can significantly increase when looking at images of hole clusters be it honeycomb, aerated chocolate or even crumpets. Sufferers can also experience nausea, sweating, itchiness and debilitating panic attacks.

Cole also defines trypophobia as a mental disorder. Think of it as the visual equivalent of somebody scratching their nails down a chalkboard the brain doesnt like these neural spikes these images create, he says.

At the moment, theres no one agreed explanation to what causes trypophobia. But scientists have developed several theories four, to be precise:

A poison dart frog Getty

A theory originally put forward by Cole, it proposes humans have evolved to be fearful of such patterns as they are usuallyseen on poisonous animals or food.

If you look at animals which are dangerous in this respect, like the poison dart frog, they tend to be covered in high contrast colours. These visual signatures are barely found anywhere else in the natural world, explains Cole.

Basically, the idea here is that when you look at a trypophobic image your brain is saying be careful here, this could harm you.

ANU plans to end neuroscience research – The Science Show – ABC News

April 11, 2021 medical

The restructure of the College of Health and Medicine would see the end of neuroscience research at the Eccles Institute for Neuroscience at the Australian National University. 23 staff will lose their jobs on top of the 30 jobs lost in 2020. Sir John Eccles, after whom the Institute was named made pioneering discoveries on how nerves work. He was awarded the Nobel Prize, the first awarded to any researcher at ANU. John Eccles also helped set up the first undergraduate honours course at the university. David Mark and Jonathan Webb respond to the announcement.

ANU plans to end neuroscience research as it struggles to save $103 million annually - ABC News

A portrait of Sir John Eccles - Australian Nobel laureate who devoted his life to unravelling the complexities of the human brain The Science Show 16th January 2021

GuestsDavid MarkNational Sport Reporter ABC

Jonathan WebbScience Editor ABC

PresenterRobyn Williams

ProducerDavid Fisher

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ANU plans to end neuroscience research - The Science Show - ABC News

Neuroscience

Neuroscience research finds distinct advertising differences across audio, radio and podcasting – CMO

April 11, 2021 medical

Radio, podcasting and music streaming are distinctively processed by consumers, leading to differences in their strengths and effectiveness as advertising channels, a new neuro research study claims.

The fresh research, which has been conducted by neuroscience specialist, Dr Shannon Bosshard, in partnership with Australian Radio Networks Neuro Lab, sought to understand how consumers brains respond different to distinct audio formats, and the impact advertising has in each of them. To do this, it analysed more than 40,000 datapoints every second across the different audio formats and mapped brain activity of people engaging with both audio content and advertising.

According to the Sound you can see research, radio showed the strongest ability to engage listeners and for extended periods of time, racking up 60 per cent more neural engagement than other audio formats. Podcasts, meanwhile, were found to provide an environment that lends itself to higher levels of memory encoding, while music streaming options showed the strongest impact in promoting positive attitudes towards brands.

In describing the research, Dr Bosshard said radio, podcasting and music streaming are fundamentally different, thereby offering advertisers with unique opportunities to promote brands. For example, the findings highlighted a variance of up to 170 per cent in terms of attitudes around advertising when content and advertising dont match in these different audio channels.

ARN positioned the research work as the first go-to-market piece of research in this space measuring attention, engagement, attitude and memory and part of an ongoing initiative to better understand audios distinct role and impact for brands.

Up until now, no commercial or academic entity has assessed the differences in these three audio products, Dr Bosshard commented. This is the first time that anyone has demonstrated, from the perspective of the brain, that radio, podcasting and music streaming are processed differently and should be treated differently, in the same manner that audio and audio-visual mediums have been.

ARN director of research and insights, Justin Stone, said initial responses from agencies to the research has been enthusiastic. The use of neuroscience to complement traditional marketing techniques will produce a much more comprehensive view of how our listeners interact with audio formats, he said.

ARN said its Neuro Lab is now working with clients on how to evaluate and optimise impact across the three areas of focus. The lab was first established late in 2020 as an in-house media research initiative to support ARNs portfolio of products, including radio stations such as KIIS, the Pure Gold network and 96FM as well as the iHeartRadio music streaming and podcast network.

The findings come just weeks after the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)of Australia published its latest Advertising Audio State of the Nation Report Wave 5, which showed podcasting and streaming digital audio advertising increased in 2020. The report found 69 per cent of media agencies now reporting streaming digital audio advertising as a significant or regular part of their activity and 36 per cent report podcast advertising as a significant or regular part of their activity.

Dont miss out on the wealth of insight and content provided by CMO A/NZ and sign up to our weekly CMO Digest newsletters and information services here.

You can also follow CMO on Twitter:@CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO conversation on LinkedIn:CMO ANZ,follow our regular updatesvia CMO Australia's Linkedin company page.

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Neuroscience research finds distinct advertising differences across audio, radio and podcasting - CMO

Neuroscience

MPM Capital Strengthens Team with the Addition of Neuroscience R&D Leader David S. Bredt, MD, PhD as Executive Partner – Yahoo Finance

April 11, 2021 medical

MPM Capital (MPM), a leading biotechnology investment firm investing in early-stage therapeutics companies, today announced that David S. Bredt, MD, PhD, has joined its team of Executive Partners.

"Were delighted to have David join MPM. His drug discovery expertise will be broadly applied to the MPM portfolio with a particular emphasis on building new companies addressing disorders of the central nervous system," said Ed Hurwitz, managing director at MPM Capital. "We see tremendous advances in the understanding of neurological dysfunction particularly in the areas of protein trafficking, neuroinflammation, neuroregeneration and ion-channel modulation. We fully expect Davids technical and managerial expertise will be of tremendous value as we delve into these exciting new opportunities."

David will take a leading role in helping MPM explore a range of opportunities, including those presented by new developments in the understanding of neurological dysfunction. This will include identifying and assessing new technologies and helping advance MPMs company formation efforts in the field of neurology.

"I am thrilled to join MPM Capital and to bring leadership in both drug discovery and the field of neurology to this accomplished team," said Dr. Bredt. "These are unprecedented times both of therapeutic need and of scientific progress. MPM has an impressive record of creating transformational biotechnology companies; I look forward to innovating with the team to deliver breakthrough new health care solutions to patients."

David S. Bredt, M.D., Ph.D.

Before joining MPM, David was Site Head for Johnson & Johnsons R&D Campus in La Jolla, which focuses on Neuroscience, Immunology and Biotechnology and is the original JLABS incubator for emerging healthcare companies. He was Global Head of Neuroscience Discovery at Johnson & Johnson where he had line management responsibility for neuroscience biology, biomarkers, and external innovation activities. His discovery group delivered numerous small and large molecule clinical candidates for Alzheimers disease, major depression, schizophrenia and epilepsy.

Story continues

David joined Eli Lilly and Company as Vice President of Integrative Biology in August 2004 and became Vice President of Neuroscience Discovery and Early Development a few years later. As head of neuroscience research at Eli Lilly, Davids group was responsible for Discovery through Phase 2 programs in Neurology, Psychiatry, Migraine, and Pain indications. His group prosecuted numerous small and large molecules that entered preclinical and clinical development including galcanezumab / Emgality, which is now approved for preventative treatment of migraine.

David graduated summa cum laude in Chemistry at Princeton University. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he trained with Dr. Solomon H. Snyder. After graduation, David was Professor of Physiology at the University of California, San Francisco for ten years. His research on nitric oxide, glutamate receptor signaling, and synaptic plasticity has yielded ~225 papers, which have been cited ~75,000 times in the scientific literature. He served on the Medical Advisory Committee for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, he was an Established Investigator for the American Heart Association, and he was a National Young Investigator for the National Science Foundation.

About MPM Capital

MPM Capital is a biotechnology investment firm with over two decades of experience founding and investing in companies that seek to translate scientific innovations into cures for major diseases. With its experienced and dedicated team of investment professionals, entrepreneurs, and advisors, MPM strives to power novel medical breakthroughs that transform patients' lives. For more information visit http://www.mpmcapital.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210407005554/en/

Contacts

Matt Burkemattdavidburke@gmail.com +1 603.315.0618

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MPM Capital Strengthens Team with the Addition of Neuroscience R&D Leader David S. Bredt, MD, PhD as Executive Partner - Yahoo Finance

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Category Archives: Neuroscience

Get Out the Vax campaign enters third weekend with 49% vaccinated – The Cincinnati Enquirer

AbbVie to Present Data Across its Robust Neuroscience Portfolio at the 2021 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting – PRNewswire

Q&A: What Is ‘Interoception,’ and Why Are Neuroscientists So Fascinated by It? – University of Virginia

Rune Labs Announces Formation of Scientific Advisory Board of Experts in Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering – BioSpace

Neuroscience Professor Awarded NIH Grant to Study Links Between COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s – Rutgers Today

How To Build Relationships And Enhance Happiness: 4 Insights From Neuroscience – Forbes

What causes trypophobia? The neuroscience behind the fear of closely-packed holes – BBC Focus Magazine

ANU plans to end neuroscience research – The Science Show – ABC News

Neuroscience research finds distinct advertising differences across audio, radio and podcasting – CMO

MPM Capital Strengthens Team with the Addition of Neuroscience R&D Leader David S. Bredt, MD, PhD as Executive Partner – Yahoo Finance