Neurobiology

In the zombie-apocalypse video game and hit TV series The Last of Us, a fungus infects humans and takes control of their minds, mutating them into putrid monsters. This was was inspired by Ophiocordyceps, a genus of parasitic fungi that infects ants. Even though this fungus cannot affect humans, other parasites can. Studying the processes that underlie Ophiocordyceps infection can help us enhance our understanding of human parasites and other pathogens. This review will compile known factors and mechanisms involved in Ophiocordyceps’ manipulation of its host, from initial infection to death.

Over the past two decades, the psychedelic ketamine has gained traction among scientists and mental health providers as a potential alternative treatment for depression. However, ketamine’s actions on a molecular level are still not fully understood, and its adverse side effects present a recurrent challenge. This review will provide an overview of results from preclinical and clinical trials of ketamine-based therapeutics for major depression

As more states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, its use among adolescents is increasing. This is problematic because marijuana's psychoactive component, THC, can act directly on parts of the brain in critical development during adolescence. Current literature proposes long-term cognitive effects based on recurring correlations; however, a lack of consistent and reliable approaches for controlling confounding variables remains an issue. This review will focus on the current state of research on the effects of adolescent marijuana use on cognitive function, its potential long-term consequences, and highlight the inconsistencies in research methodologies.

Circadian rhythms in mammals are orchestrated by a highly prevalent timing system, at the heart of which lies a complex molecular process regulated by a central clock in the brain. Similar to other physiological systems, the circadian system undergoes degradation with age. This article aims to introduce the definition of circadian rhythm, delve into its fundamental principles, and explore the correlation between changes in circadian rhythm and the aging process.

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington's disease, have no known cure. Interventions such as a healthy diet and regular exercise have in place been widely encouraged in order to delay onset or slow progression of symptoms. Yoga is one form of physical exercise that has been shown to positively impact the neuromorphology in the brain by increasing gray matter volume and stimulating the hippocampus to lower stress levels and improve memory retention. This review focuses on the effects of Yoga practice on the brain and its potential as a productive, noninvasive, and affordable practice for brain stimulation that could impact incurable neurodegenerative diseases.

Jay is a college student at UC Davis studying Biology, but like most college students, he lacks a consistent sleep schedule due to his late-night bouts of studying on his computer. There are many factors that impact his sleep, such as caffeine intake, room temperature, noisy roommates... and the list continues. But surprisingly, light generates the largest impact on our sleep. And from light, phosphorylation occurs, driving cell signaling within the body. Light drives circadian rhythm as it causes phosphate groups to activate many of the necessary proteins within the sleep mechanism.

Parkinson’s disease is an age-associated neurodegenerative disease that affects about 572/100,000 North Americans ages 45 and older. Typical treatment of symptoms includes dopaminergic medications, such as Levodopa; however, some patients cannot tolerate the side effects or do not experience symptom reduction. In these cases, more invasive treatments must be considered by treating clinicians. This review aims to evaluate the current evidence for proper treatment parameters for gait impairment, with particular focus on subthalamic deep brain stimulation—an invasive yet effective treatment for the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

With the increasing risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases in older adults in the U.S., alternative methods of preventing further cognitive decline have become a topic of interest. Exergaming, a form of exercise that combines physical exercise with mental stimulation, has been shown to improve the cognitive function of older adults. However, the methods of analyzing the specific cognitive benefits of exergames and their further implications have been widely varied. This review examines the different methods used in research studies that analyze the effects of exergaming on cognitive function in older adults and discusses future implications in preventing cognitive decline.

Pathologies that arise during critical stages of infant brain development such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have no known causes. While infant trials are scarce, preliminary mice trials have proven associations between neurological pathologies and gastrointestinal microbiota (GIM). Presently, research on the human gut-brain axis connection has found similarities to these mice models. This review will critically examine recent studies which associate GIM with developmental benchmarks in infants.