Effects of Environmental Light on the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus
and Serotonergic Neurons
Katherine Fite, Ph.D., Psychology, UMass
Warren Foote, M.D., Director of Medical Research, Baystate
Skirmantas Janusonis, Graduate Student, Neuroscience & Behavior,
UMass
This study considers the therapeutic effects of light on a region
of the brainstem that produces a neurotransmitter, serotonin, which
has been implicated in a variety of clinical disorders that involve
depression and mood changes. Results of this study could bring new
understanding to the cause of seasons effective disorder, (SAD),
in which people become depressed during times of year when there
is only limited daylight. Specifically, researchers are interested
in learning about the function of a newly discovered pathway from
the retina to the brainstem and how this optic pathway can influence
the activity of serotonin-producing neurons.
Effective Date - July 5, 1998
The Establishment of a Double Perfused Placental Cotyledon Model
to Investigate Transplacental Virus Infections
Leonard Norkin, Ph.D., Molecular & Cellular Biology, UMass
Glenn Markenson, M.D., OB/GYN, Baystate
The researchers are working to identify how certain medically relevant
viruses can pass from a pregnant, across the placenta, to her fetus.
They aim to understand how the placenta generally acts as a barrier
against virus infection, with particular attention to specific immunological
biochemicals that are present in the placenta.
Effective Date - September 6, 1998
Oxalate and Glycolate in Breast Milk, Preterm Serum and Urine;
Development and Application of High Resolution Analytical Chemical
Methods for Clinical Studies
Peter Uden, Ph.D., Chemistry, UMass
Gary Rockwell, M.D., Newborn Medicine and Pediatrics, Baystate
Nigel Metcalfe, Graduate Student, Chemistry, UMass
The long-term goal of this clinical research is to improve the prognosis
of premature infants by increasing our understanding of kidney stone
formation, a problem that occurs in up to 64 percent of premature
infants and is associated with persistent defects in kidney function
that can be life-threatening. The disorder is characterized by high
levels of two biochemicals, oxalate and glycolate, in the infant's
urine. The researchers will study the levels of these biochemicals
in infants' urine to determine how well the infants can metabolize
these biochemicals. The information will be valuable in offering
new treatments for pre-term infants.
Effective Date - September 6, 1998
Exercise-induced Skeletal Muscle Damage and Repair in Humans: The
Heat Shock Response
S.P. Scordilis, Ph.D., UMass MCB Program, Biology, Smith College
Luis Moral, M.D., Director of Neuropathology, Baystate
Clayton Wagner, M.D., New England Orthopedic Surgeons, & Baystate
Heather Thompson, Graduate Student, Molecular & Cellular Biology,
UMass
This study's goal is to enhance the understanding of the human skeletal
muscle stress response to exercise-induced muscle damage through
the use of two different exercise modalities. It also describes
the post-exercise translational and transcriptional regulation of
the heat shock response to exercise.
Effective Date - September, 1998
Analysis of a Novel, Phylogenetically Conserved Cell Death Associated
Gene in Human Disease
Lawrence Schwartz, Ph.D., Biology, UMass
Stephen Naber, M.D., Pathology, Baystate
Christos Valavanis, Post-doctoral, Biology, UMass
This study focuses on the role of the 44a gene. Preliminary data
suggests that this gene may play a role in the potential of certain
childhood tumors to spread. The goals of this project are to understand
how the 44a gene product is distributed in Loss of anchorage-dependant
growth is a hallmark of malignant transformation, as cells lose
their ability to monitor and respond to signals from their extracellular
surroundings. Under conditions causing detachment, normal mammary
epithelial cells will initiate a cell death program that precludes
growth of these cells in an inappropriate environment. The aim of
this study is to show that, under adherent conditions, survival
signals from the extracellular matrix (ECM), as transduced by integrin
receptors through phosphorylated pp125FAK, suppress a p53-medicated
apoptotic pathway. It is expected that under non-adherent conditions,
loss of integrin-transduced survival signals from the EMC would
inactivate pp125FAK, via its dephosphorylation, allowing depression
of the p53-mediated cell death response.
Effective Date - January 1, 1998
Development of Computer Vision Techniques to Support the Clinical
Study of Ischemic Stroke Treatment
Edward Riseman, Ph.D., Computer Science, UMass
Gary Whitten, Ph.D., Computer Science, UMass
Donald Geman, Ph.D., Mathematics and Statistics
Joseph Horowitz, Ph.D., Mathematics and Statistics
Richard Hicks, M.D., Radiology, Baystate Medical Center
Benjamin Stein, Graduate Student, Mathematics and Statistics, UMass
Dimitri Lisin, Graduate Student, Computer Science, UMass
The goal of this study is to use computer imaging technology to
help determine the effectiveness of treatments for high blood pressure.
More specifically, the study looks at how computers can "look"
at images, define abnormal brain areas, and relate it to a patient's
condition.
Effective January 1, 1998
Effects of Environmental Light on the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus and
Serotonergic Neurons
Katherine Fite, Ph.D., Psychology, UMass
Warren Foote, M.D., Director of Medical Research, Baystate
Skirmantas Janusonis, Graduate Student, Neuroscience & Behavior,
UMass
This study considers the therapeutic effects of light on a region
of the brainstem that produces a neurotransmitter, serotonin, which
has been implicated in a variety of clinical disorders that involve
depression and mood changes. Results of this study could bring new
understanding to the cause of seasons effective disorder, (SAD),
in which people become depressed during times of year when there
is only limited daylight. Specifically, researchers are interested
in learning about the function of a newly discovered pathway from
the retina to the brainstem and how this optic pathway can influence
the activity of serotonin-producing neurons.
Effective Date - July 5, 1998
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