Genome-wide analysis of a model-derived binge eating disorder phenotype identifies risk loci and implicates iron metabolism.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder, yet its genetic architecture remains largely unknown. Studying BED is challenging because it is often comorbid with obesity, a common and highly polygenic trait, and it is underdiagnosed in biobank data sets. To address this limitation, we apply a supervised machine-learning approach (using 822 cases of individuals diagnosed with BED) to estimate the probability of each individual having BED based on electronic medical records from the Million Veteran Program.

Mirror exposure therapy for body image disturbances and eating disorders: A review.

Mirror exposure therapy is a clinical trial validated treatment component that improves body image and body satisfaction. Mirror exposure therapy has been shown to benefit individuals with high body dissatisfaction and patients with eating disorders (ED) in clinical trials. Mirror exposure is an optional component of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an effective treatment for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

Rapid plasticity of visually evoked responses in rat monocular visual cortex.

Sensory cortical circuits are shaped by experience during sensitive periods in development. In the primary visual cortex (V1) altered visual experience results in changes in visual responsiveness of cortical neurons. The experience-dependent refinement of the circuit in V1 is thought to rely on competitive interactions between feedforward circuits driven by the two eyes.

GABAergic synapses: their plasticity and role in sensory cortex.

The mammalian neocortex is composed of a variety of cell types organized in a highly interconnected circuit. GABAergic neurons account for only about 20% of cortical neurons. However, they show widespread connectivity and a high degree of diversity in morphology, location, electrophysiological properties and gene expression.

The conserved SKN-1/Nrf2 stress response pathway regulates synaptic function in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The Nrf family of transcription factors plays a critical role in mediating adaptive responses to cellular stress and defends against neurodegeneration, aging, and cancer. Here, we report a novel role for the Caenorhabditis elegans Nrf homolog SKN-1 in regulating synaptic transmission at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Activation of SKN-1, either by acute pharmacological treatment with the mitochondrial toxin sodium arsenite or by mutations that cause constitutive SKN-1 activation, results in defects in neuromuscular function.

Developmental regulation of spatio-temporal patterns of cortical circuit activation.

Neural circuits are refined in an experience-dependent manner during early postnatal development. How development modulates the spatio-temporal propagation of activity through cortical circuits is poorly understood. Here we use voltage-sensitive dye imaging (VSD) to show that there are significant changes in the spatio-temporal patterns of intracortical signals in primary visual cortex (V1) from postnatal day 13 (P13), eye opening, to P28, the peak of the critical period for rodent visual cortical plasticity.