Social odors drive hippocampal CA2 place cell responses to social stimuli.

Hippocampal region CA2 is essential for social memory processing. Interaction with social stimuli induces changes in CA2 place cell firing during active exploration and sharp wave-ripples during rest following a social interaction. However, it is unknown whether these changes in firing patterns are caused by integration of multimodal social stimuli or by a specific sensory modality associated with a social interaction.

Social odors drive hippocampal CA2 place cell responses to social stimuli.

Hippocampal region CA2 is essential for social memory processing. Interaction with social stimuli induces changes in CA2 place cell firing during active exploration and sharp wave-ripples during rest following a social interaction. However, it is unknown whether these changes in firing patterns are caused by integration of multimodal social stimuli or by a specific sensory modality associated with a social interaction.

Hyperactivation of MEK1 in cortical glutamatergic neurons results in projection axon deficits and aberrant motor learning.

Abnormal extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2, encoded by Mapk3 and Mapk1, respectively) signaling is linked to multiple neurodevelopmental diseases, especially the RASopathies, which typically exhibit ERK1/2 hyperactivation in neurons and non-neuronal cells. To better understand how excitatory neuron-autonomous ERK1/2 activity regulates forebrain development, we conditionally expressed a hyperactive MEK1 (MAP2K1) mutant, MEK1S217/221E, in cortical excitatory neurons of mice. MEK1S217/221E expression led to persistent hyperactivation of ERK1/2 in cortical axons, but not in soma/nuclei.

Divergent opioid-mediated suppression of inhibition between hippocampus and neocortex across species and development.

Opioid receptors within the CNS regulate pain sensation and mood and are key targets for drugs of abuse. Within the adult rodent hippocampus (HPC), μ-opioid receptor agonists suppress inhibitory parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs), thus disinhibiting the circuit. However, it is uncertain if this disinhibitory motif is conserved in other cortical regions, species, or across development.

Online learning in proton radiation therapy: the future in the post-Covid-19 pandemic era?

Objective: The Covid-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on medical education and led to a vast increase in online learning. Subsequently, the Christie International Proton School moved from face-to-face to online. Delegate feedback and current literature were studied to determine benefits, challenges, and potential solutions, for online proton therapy education.

High and low expression of the hyperpolarization activated current (I ) in mouse CA1 stratum oriens interneurons.

Inhibitory interneurons are among the most diverse cell types in the brain; the hippocampus itself contains more than 28 different inhibitory interneurons. Interneurons are typically classified using a combination of physiological, morphological, and biochemical observations. One broad separator is action potential firing: low threshold, regular spiking versus higher threshold, fast spiking.

Hyperactive MEK1 Signaling in Cortical GABAergic Neurons Promotes Embryonic Parvalbumin Neuron Loss and Defects in Behavioral Inhibition.

Many developmental syndromes have been linked to genetic mutations that cause abnormal ERK/MAPK activity; however, the neuropathological effects of hyperactive signaling are not fully understood. Here, we examined whether hyperactivation of MEK1 modifies the development of GABAergic cortical interneurons (CINs), a heterogeneous population of inhibitory neurons necessary for cortical function. We show that GABAergic-neuron specific MEK1 hyperactivation in vivo leads to increased cleaved caspase-3 labeling in a subpopulation of immature neurons in the embryonic subpallial mantle zone.

Characterizing the effects of tonic 17β-estradiol administration on spatial learning and memory in the follicle-deplete middle-aged female rat.

17β-estradiol (E2)-containing hormone therapy is a safe, effective way to alleviate unwanted menopause symptoms. Preclinical research has focused upon the role of E2 in learning and memory using a surgically menopausal rodent model whereby the ovaries are removed. Given that most women retain their reproductive tract and undergo a natural menopause transition, it is necessary to understand how exogenous E2 impacts a structurally intact, but follicle-deplete, system.

Patient Perceptions of the Impact of Treatment (Surgery and Radiotherapy) for Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Background And Objectives: Treatment for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is challenging for patients. This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of patients' experiences of STS treatment, including whether the sequence of treatment (preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy) influences patient perceptions.

Methods: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with nineteen patients who had been treated for STS with surgery and radiotherapy between 2011 and 2016.

The Noonan Syndrome-linked Raf1L613V mutation drives increased glial number in the mouse cortex and enhanced learning.

RASopathies are a family of related syndromes caused by mutations in regulators of the RAS/Extracellular Regulated Kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling cascade that often result in neurological deficits. RASopathy mutations in upstream regulatory components, such as NF1, PTPN11/SHP2, and RAS have been well-characterized, but mutation-specific differences in the pathogenesis of nervous system abnormalities remain poorly understood, especially those involving mutations downstream of RAS. Here, we assessed cellular and behavioral phenotypes in mice expressing a Raf1L613V gain-of-function mutation associated with the RASopathy, Noonan Syndrome.

The PKC-β selective inhibitor, Enzastaurin, impairs memory in middle-aged rats.

Enzastaurin is a Protein Kinase C-β selective inhibitor that was developed to treat cancers. Protein Kinase C-β is an important enzyme for a variety of neuronal functions; in particular, previous rodent studies have reported deficits in spatial and fear-conditioned learning and memory with lower levels of Protein Kinase C-β. Due to Enzastaurin's mechanism of action, the present study investigated the consequences of Enzastaurin exposure on learning and memory in 12-month-old Fischer-344 male rats.

Benefits of Hormone Therapy Estrogens Depend on Estrogen Type: 17β-Estradiol and Conjugated Equine Estrogens Have Differential Effects on Cognitive, Anxiety-Like, and Depressive-Like Behaviors and Increase Tryptophan Hydroxylase-2 mRNA Levels in Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Subregions.

Decreased serotonin (5-HT) function is associated with numerous cognitive and affective disorders. Women are more vulnerable to these disorders and have a lower rate of 5-HT synthesis than men. Serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) are a major source of 5-HT in the forebrain and play a critical role in regulation of stress-related disorders.

Cognitive changes across the menopause transition: A longitudinal evaluation of the impact of age and ovarian status on spatial memory.

Cognitive changes that occur during mid-life and beyond are linked to both aging and the menopause transition. Studies in women suggest that the age at menopause onset can impact cognitive status later in life; yet, little is known about memory changes that occur during the transitional period to the postmenopausal state. The 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) model simulates transitional menopause in rodents by depleting the immature ovarian follicle reserve and allowing animals to retain their follicle-deplete ovarian tissue, resulting in a profile similar to the majority of perimenopausal women.

Can Grief be a Mental Disorder?: An Exploration of Public Opinion.

Despite growing empirical evidence, the distinction between normal and pathological grief remains controversial. Few studies have investigated public attitudes towards distinguishing normal from pathological grief. An international sample of 348 participants from a wide range of cultures was asked if certain expressions of grief could be considered a mental disorder and to explain their answer.

Transactive memory systems scale for couples: development and validation.

People in romantic relationships can develop shared memory systems by pooling their cognitive resources, allowing each person access to more information but with less cognitive effort. Research examining such memory systems in romantic couples largely focuses on remembering word lists or performing lab-based tasks, but these types of activities do not capture the processes underlying couples' transactive memory systems, and may not be representative of the ways in which romantic couples use their shared memory systems in everyday life. We adapted an existing measure of transactive memory systems for use with romantic couples (TMSS-C), and conducted an initial validation study.

Navigating to new frontiers in behavioral neuroscience: traditional neuropsychological tests predict human performance on a rodent-inspired radial-arm maze.

We constructed an 11-arm, walk-through, human radial-arm maze (HRAM) as a translational instrument to compare existing methodology in the areas of rodent and human learning and memory research. The HRAM, utilized here, serves as an intermediary test between the classic rat radial-arm maze (RAM) and standard human neuropsychological and cognitive tests. We show that the HRAM is a useful instrument to examine working memory ability, explore the relationships between rodent and human memory and cognition models, and evaluate factors that contribute to human navigational ability.

Public attitudes about normal and pathological grief.

Determining public expectations of grief is an important contributor to the debate differentiating normal from pathological grief. An international sample of 348 participants was randomly allocated to 1 of 12 conditions comprising a bereavement vignette and self-report items measuring grief expectations and social distance. Participants expected grief to decrease steadily between 2 weeks and 6 months then stabilize; however, time did not affect social distance.

Community pharmacists' attitudes toward palliative care: an Australian nationwide survey.

Background: Pharmacists are among the most accessible health care professionals in the community, yet are often not involved in community palliative care teams.

Objective: We investigated community pharmacists' attitudes, beliefs, feelings, and knowledge about palliative care as a first step towards determining how best to facilitate the inclusion of community pharmacists on the palliative care team.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used.

The "specter" of cancer: exploring secondary trauma for health professionals providing cancer support and counseling.

Health professionals are vulnerable to occupational stress and tend to report high levels of secondary trauma and burnout; this is especially so for those working in "high-death" contexts such as cancer support and palliative care. In this study, 38 health professionals (psychologists, social workers, pastoral carers/chaplains, nurses, group facilitators, and a medical practitioner) who provide grief support and counseling in cancer and palliative care each participated in a semistructured interview. Qualitatively, a grounded theory analysis revealed four themes: (a) the role of health professionals in supporting people who are experiencing grief and loss issues in the context of cancer, (b) ways of working with patients with cancer and their families, (c) the unique qualities of cancer-related loss and grief experiences, and (d) the emotional demands of the work and associated self-care.

Speaking order predicts memory conformity after accounting for exposure to misinformation.

When people discuss their experiences, they can later report seeing things that they never saw, simply because they heard about those things in the discussion. One factor that may contribute to this effect is the order in which people speak; some research has investigated this issue, but it remains unclear whether a relationship exists between memory conformity and speaking order. We explored this question using data from five previous memory conformity experiments.