Seminars & Events
Monday, February 11, 2013: Dr. Daphne Soares (University of Maryland College Park) will speak on "The Sensory World of Cavefishes" at 4:45 pm in Goodpaster Hall 195.
Monday, March 4, 2013: Dr. Joe Cheer (University of Maryland Baltimore) will speak on "Endogenous Cannabinoids and the Pursuit of Reward" at 4:45 pm in Goodpaster Hall 195.
Friday, April 12, 2013: Dr. Jill McGaughy (University of New Hampshire) will speak on "The Role of Cortical Norepinephrine in the Ontogeny of Executive Function" at 3:00 pm in Schaefer Hall 106.
Alumni Highlight
Dr. Erin Johnson '02 recently received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and was inducted as an alumni member of Nu Rho Psi.
SMP Spotlight
Ron Saul, "Chronic activation of the substantia nigra nociceptin/orphanin receptor induces motor deficits similar to Parkinson's disease," 2008. Saul, the 2008 winner of the Neuroscience Award, infused a drug into the substantia nigra of rats and measured the resulting motor behaviors, mood disturbances, and cognitive abilities.
Nichols, Caitlin (2010). The Relation between Positive Computed Tomography Findings and Symptom Manifestations in Concussed Children. Mentor: Dr. Michael Baltzley
Abstract
The occurrence of concussions, especially in children, is currently at an all time high in the United States. The halting of developmental stages in the brain due to pediatric concussion may result in severe symptom manifestations later in life in the form of post-concussion syndrome (PCS). This study investigates the relationship between positive computed tomography (CT) findings and symptom manifestations in eight concussed children. Results indicate a correlation between anterograde amnesia and loss of consciousness, however, no other symptom manifestations showed significant correlation. A larger sample size could indicate a link between positive CT findings and symptom manifestations that would show the potential importance of neuropsychological testing, CT scans and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and subjective symptom reports. The combined use of these techniques may provide healthcare providers with the ability to accurately predict the length of time needed for an individual’s brain to fully recover in order to manage concussions adequately.
