Neural Correlates of Stress Predict Future Cocaine Use

Cocaine use disorder has wide-ranging social, economic, and health-related consequences, including changes to the neural stress networks that may be linked to deficits in goal-directed behavior. Distress tolerance (DT), or the ability to withstand negative affect during goal-directed activities, is implicated in maintaining substance use disorders. Low distress tolerance (measured behaviorally) has been linked to worse treatment outcomes, shorter abstinence attempts, and more days of substance use. Daughters et al. (2016) validated a measure of DT (the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task, or PASAT) for an fMRI scanner to examine the neural correlates of DT. As a follow up, the current study used longitudinal data from a sample of 24 regular cocaine and nicotine users to determine if the neural correlates associated with stress could be used to predict future substance use 30 days post-scan. There was a positive correlation between the percentage of days used crack/cocaine and the bilateral amygdala activation in response to stress. This is in line with prior studies regarding the implication of the hyperactivation of the amygdala in anxiety and increased substance use frequency. Future research should utilize a treatment-seeking population of cocaine users to determine whether neural regions linked to DT can predict treatment outcomes and relapse frequency to potentially find biomarkers to target with treatment.Bachelor of Scienc

3D printed model aiding in minimally invasive thoracoabdominal ganglioneuroblastoma resection: A case report

The creation of 3D models of tumors and their surrounding structures is becoming a useful tool for preoperative and intraoperative surgical planning. This case details the presentation and oncologic course of a 2.5-year old female patient with a thoracoabdominal ganglioneuroblastoma. Upon initial diagnosis, her tumor was encasing the aorta and abutting the left renal vein and was not a candidate for resection. She underwent alternative therapy for several years that was not standard of care before returning to our institution. A 3D model of the tumor was created based on pre-operative computerized tomography (CT) images, and the physical model demonstrated clear planes and lack of invasion into surrounding structures, making surgical resection an option. The 3D model was then utilized as a guide intraoperatively for the laparoscopic operation during difficult portions of the case. The tumor was successfully removed in entirety, and the patient was discharged following an uneventful post-operative course. The use of 3D printing in a pediatric abdominal oncologic case is novel, and could be a beneficial tool in future cases to complement a minimally invasive surgical approach