Autocrine Production of IGF‐I Increases Stem Cell‐Mediated Neuroprotection

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder resulting in motor neuron (MN) loss. There are currently no effective therapies; however, cellular therapies using neural progenitor cells protect MNs and attenuate disease progression in G93A‐SOD1 ALS rats. Recently, we completed a phase I clinical trial examining intraspinal human spinal stem cell (HSSC) transplantation in ALS patients which demonstrated our approach was safe and feasible, supporting the phase II trial currently in progress. In parallel, efforts focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying the preclinical benefit of HSSCs in vitro and in animal models of ALS led us to investigate how insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) production contributes to cellular therapy neuroprotection. IGF‐I is a potent growth factor with proven efficacy in preclinical ALS studies, and we contend that autocrine IGF‐I production may enhance the salutary effects of HSSCs. By comparing the biological properties of HSSCs to HSSCs expressing sixfold higher levels of IGF‐I, we demonstrate that IGF‐I production augments the production of glial‐derived neurotrophic factor and accelerates neurite outgrowth without adversely affecting HSSC proliferation or terminal differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that increased IGF‐I induces more potent MN protection from excitotoxicity via both indirect and direct mechanisms, as demonstrated using hanging inserts with primary MNs or by culturing with organotypic spinal cord slices, respectively. These findings support our theory that combining autocrine growth factor production with HSSC transplantation may offer a novel means to achieve additive neuroprotection in ALS. Stem Cells 2015;33:1480–1489Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111155/1/stem1933.pd

Human neural stem cell transplantation into the corpus callosum of Alzheimer’s mice

The hippocampus has been the target of stem cell transplantations in preclinical studies focused on Alzheimer’s disease, with results showing improvements in histological and behavioral outcomes. The corpus callosum is another structure that is affected early in Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, we hypothesize that this structure is a novel target for human neural stem cell transplantation in transgenic Alzheimer’s disease mouse models. This study demonstrates the feasibility of targeting the corpus callosum and identifies an effective immunosuppression regimen for transplanted neural stem cell survival. These results support further preclinical development of the corpus callosum as a therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138852/1/acn3443_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138852/2/acn3443.pd

Human Cortical Neural Stem Cells Expressing Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐I: A Novel Cellular Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135291/1/sct3201653379.pd

Distributed and Condensed Versions of a Cognitive Dissonance Programme: Comparative Effects on Eating Disorder Risk Factors and Symptoms

Research regarding different learning schedules is equivocal. Learning theory suggests that distributed learning may better facilitate long-term maintenance of behaviour change [Bouton, M. (2000). A learning theory perspective on lapse, relapse, and the maintenance of behavior change. Health Psychology: Special Issue: Maintenance of Behavior Change in Cardiorespiratory Risk Reduction, 19, 57–63]. Alternatively, some research suggests that massed-intensive content delivery can be as beneficial as distributed delivery [e.g. Rogojanski, J., & Rego, S. A. (2013). Advances and controversies in the application of a modified version of cognitive behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder. Pragmatic Case Studies in Psychotherapy, 9(3), 337–346]. The present study compared two versions of a cognitive dissonance (CD)-based eating disorders (EDs) prevention programme. CD interventions target ED risk factors via an interactive format with content spread over multiple sessions, and have demonstrated both efficacy and effectiveness across numerous trials. We randomised female undergraduates (N = 73) to either four 1-hour sessions over four weeks (4SV), or two 2-hour sessions over two weeks (2SV). The versions were identical in content and total intervention time. Results indicated that both conditions showed similar rates of improvement in ED risk factors and symptoms through a 12-month follow-up, with the exception of thin-ideal internalisation, where results suggested a possible advantage of the 4SV for long-term, but not short-term, gain. Therefore, findings suggest that entities implementing CD are able to select the format that best fits their needs without significantly compromising the positive impact of the programme. Implications regarding the dissemination benefits of a flexible programme format that maintains effectiveness are discussed

Protocol registration: Online international student collaboration in occupational therapy education

Protocol Registration. Protocol registration of a scoping review examining the literature on the topic of online international collaboration. No review exists on the use of online international student collaboration in occupational therapy training and education. Here the review will focus on the following question: What is known from the existing literature on the use of online international student collaboration in occupational therapy curricula