Cognitive Fluctuations in a Rare Disease Population: Leveraging Cognitive and Speech Ecological Momentary Assessment in Individuals with Phenylketonuria.

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare, hereditary disease that causes disruption in phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism. Despite early intervention, individuals with PKU may have difficulty in several different cognitive domains, including verbal fluency, processing speed, and executive functioning.

Objective: The overarching goal of the Evaluating Fluctuations in Cognitive and Speech Characteristics in Phenylketonuria study (CSP Study) is to characterize the relationships among cognition, speech, mood, and blood-based biomarkers (Phe, Tyr) in individuals with early treated PKU.

Medial prefrontal cortex-basolateral amygdala circuit dysfunction in chronic alcohol-exposed male rats.

Alcohol is a commonly used drug that can produce alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Few individuals with AUDs receive treatment and treatment options are complicated by issues with effectiveness and compliance. Alcohol has been shown to differentially affect specific brain regions and an improved understanding of circuit-specific dysregulation caused by alcohol is warranted.