Antioxidant Behavioural Phenotype in the Gene Knock-Out Mouse.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is strongly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the gene is linked to autism inheritance. However, the biological basis of this linkage is unknown notwithstanding independent reports of oxidative stress in association with both IMMP2L and ASD. To better understand association with behaviour, we developed the knockout (KO) mouse model which is devoid of Immp2l peptidase activity.

Patient safety and quality care for children with intellectual disability: An action research study.

Children with intellectual disability experience significant challenges in accessing and receiving high-quality healthcare leading to poorer health outcomes and negative patient experiences. Families of these children often report a need for healthcare staff to better understand, communicate, and collaborate for better care while staff acknowledge a lack of training. To address this, we utilised an action research framework with a pre- and post- survey to evaluate an integrated continuing professional development and quality improvement program combining strategies from education, behavioural psychology and quality improvement that was delivered in two departments within a tertiary children's Hospital in Metropolitan Sydney in 2019-2020.

Cytotoxic T cells swarm by homotypic chemokine signalling.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are thought to arrive at target sites either via random search or following signals by other leukocytes. Here, we reveal independent emergent behaviour in CTL populations attacking tumour masses. Primary murine CTLs coordinate their migration in a process reminiscent of the swarming observed in neutrophils.

Where are they now? An autism follow-up study.

Aim: To explore the stability of diagnosis and the relationship between behavioural, adaptive and developmental skills in early to middle childhood in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: Fifty-four children recruited to the study were diagnosed with ASD before 42 months. Outcomes at follow-up after a mean interval of 64 months were measured using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Vineland-II adaptive scale and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and parental survey data.

Chronic Treatment with 50 mg/kg Cannabidiol Improves Cognition and Moderately Reduces Aβ40 Levels in 12-Month-Old Male AβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 Transgenic Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and pathologically by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau hyperphosphorylation causing neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Current AD treatments do not stop or reverse the disease progression, highlighting the need for more effective therapeutics. The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

Behavioural effects of high fat diet in adult Nrg1 type III transgenic mice.

Some diets appear to have detrimental effects on schizophrenia symptoms. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is a risk gene for schizophrenia and a recently developed transgenic mouse model for Nrg1 type III demonstrates a schizophrenia-relevant phenotype. The current study evaluated the behavioural response of Nrg1 type III transgenic mice to a high fat diet (HFD) to determine the potential interactive impact of diets and genetic risk factors on disease symptoms.

Behavioural effects of high fat diet exposure starting in late adolescence in neuregulin 1 transmembrane domain mutant mice.

A limited number of studies suggest that poor diet choices may impact on the mental state of schizophrenia patients. Our own work found that high fat diet (HFD) reversed social recognition memory deficits in female mice mutant for the schizophrenia risk gene neuregulin 1 (i.e.

Cannabidiol (CBD) reduces anxiety-related behavior in mice via an FMRP-independent mechanism.

Fragile X Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder which affects intellectual, social and physical development due to mutation of the Fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. The resultant loss of Fragile X mental retardation protein can be modelled by Fmr1 gene knockout (KO) in mice. The current study investigated the behavioural effects of cannabidiol (CBD; a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid) in male Fmr1 KO mice as a preclinical model for therapeutic discovery.

Long-term behavioural effects of maternal obesity in C57BL/6J mice.

Diet is increasingly being recognised as an important contributor to mental health. A diet high in sugar and polyunsaturated fatty acids can have negative consequences for disease symptoms and outcomes in schizophrenia patients. There is also evidence that particular diets can have beneficial, therapeutic-like properties for human brain disorders.

Behavioural characteristics of the Prader-Willi syndrome related biallelic Snord116 mouse model.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is the predominant genetic cause of obesity in humans and is associated with several behavioural phenotypes such as altered motoric function, reduced activity, and learning disabilities. It can include mood instability and, in some cases, psychotic episodes. Recently, the Snord116 gene has been associated with the development of PWS, however, it's contribution to the behavioural aspects of the disease are unknown.