University Honors

In traumatic brain injury (TBI), secondary injury involving neurological damage andedema negatively impacts recovery outcomes. Previous studies have shown that an osmotictransport device (OTD) significantly decreases severe TBI edema in rodent models. Because theOTD requires a craniectomy for direct contact to the brain, it is expected that the simultaneousdelivery of the neuroprotective drug, neuregulin-1 (NRG-1), may further improve neurologicaloutcomes. However, the release rate of NRG-1 must be controlled. In addition, becausehydrogel-drug interactions can be highly complex and impact overall delivery, the release ofNRG-1 from hydrogel must be analyzed. Previous research has shown that hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) may have the appropriate properties for this purpose. Here we test the release ofthe active EGF-like domain of NRG-1 from a hydrogel made up of 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5% HECand artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Concentrations of the EGF domain are measured via anenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results show concentration dependent Fickiandiffusion behavior, with 2.0% HEC being the most promising of the hydrogels tested.Ultimately, the controlled delivery of NRG-1 integrated with an OTD will greatly improverecovery outcomes for victims of severe TBI.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder and the leading known geneticcause of autism, resulting from the mutation of the Fmr1 gene which leads to a lack ofproduction of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP), a key protein in neuronaldevelopment and maintenance. This lack of FMRP results in cognitive deficiencies and sensoryprocessing issues, notably auditory sensitivity which, in its most robust presentation, can induceseizures upon exposure to intense stimulus: Audiogenic seizures (AGS). Previous studies inFmr1 knock-out mice demonstrated that administering NLX-101–a postsynaptic serotonin 1A(5HT1A) agonist reduced AGS. To determine if the specificity of NLX-101 is necessary forreducing AGS, we tested two drugs that more broadly modulate serotonin activity: 8-OH-DPAT,a less specific serotonin 1A agonist that also acts on presynaptic receptors, and Fluoxetine, aserotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which broadly and non-specifically increases serotoninactivity throughout the brain. Through exposing groups of combined drug-treated and untreatedFmr1 knockout mice to a loud (100-110 dB) modulating sound capable of triggering AGS inuntreated knockout mice, we found no significant differences in the severity of or the latency ofonset for AGS between untreated and drug-treated mice in both 8-OH-DPAT and Fluoxetinetreatments. Our findings indicate that the unique specificity of NLX-101 in modulating serotoninactivity due to only targeting postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors is necessary to reduce AGS. Theseresults suggest the use of NLX-101, and other specific 5HT1A receptor agonists, as a therapeuticavenue to treat sensory hypersensitivity in FXS and other autisms.

Asexuality is a sexual orientation in which someone may experience little, situational, or nosexual attraction. From its complicated existence in queer spaces to its complete invisibility insociety and media representation, why does it continue to lack an understanding even as queertopics continue to enter the mainstream conversation? How is this orientation, seeminglystraightforward, shrouded in confusion, mystification, and false stereotypes? As an asexual andaromantic woman, I believe that the cultural obsession with glamorizing sex and romance andportraying it as essential to a fulfilling life plays a part in confusing the general public on howone could live without the desire to participate fully or at all with these cultural norms andexpectations. To better represent these points and how they affect the lives of asexual people ofvarying intersecting identities, I intend to use an ethnographic approach in this study to betterunderstand these shared experiences and the diversity of the asexual subjectivity. My researchengages with an individual method, including descriptive survey, interview, interaction, andobservation, especially participant observation. My aim in this research is to establish a dialogueon asexuality for a better understanding of an orientation underdeveloped in theory. I identifythis as an opportunity to examine and better understand the spectrum of sexuality. In general, Iintend to interrogate the ways the mainstream norm of sexuality itself still seeps into media andqueer spaces and how to further encourage new forms of asexual inclusivity and acceptance invarious areas of society.