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Abstract from the original SBIR Phase II This project will test human embryonic stem cell derivedD retinal tissue transplanted in subretinal space ofanimal models with photoreceptorPRdegeneration in a longitudinal study lasting for up tomonthsWe will use a large eye animal model of early onset RD with a Crx mutationRdy Abyssinian catsand immunodeficient rats with PR degeneration SD FoxnTg SterLavR ...

Project SummaryAutism spectrum disordersASDare estimated to affect more thanof children underyears of age in the USThese neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by impaired social communicationrestrictive interests and repetitive or stereotyped behaviorsThere are frequent co morbidities in ASDincluding epilepsy and intellectual disabilityASD can be divided into two main categories based on ...

PROJECT SUMMARY Central Nervous System disorders have proven to be among the most difficult of diseases to treat and have placed an enormous burden on societyA major contributing factor to this situation is that currently we often cannot distinguish between normal and pathological states since we do not possess even a basicground truthmap of how neurons and other cells are arranged at the nanoscal ...

PROJECT SUMMARY Fragile X syndromeFXSis the most common inheritable form of cognitive impairment and the leading known genetic cause of autismFXS is caused by the loss of expression of the fragile X mental retardation proteinFMRPA major challenge for FXS research is to develop treatment strategies that improve the intellectual capabilities of patientsDysregulated protein synthesis is widely accept ...

Project Summary Abstract Type diabetes mellitus T DM associated with obesity can now be successfully treated by bariatric surgery The metabolic effect is rapid in part independent of the effect on weight loss and mediated by gut factors We are exploring the possibility that this beneficial effect on T DM can be achieved without major surgery by creating a small side to side magnetic comp ...

ABSTRACT Transseptal TS access for left heart procedures is an important and rapidly growing area for diagnostics and therapy delivery with an expected total of over million U S patients In the U S and Europe TS access procedures are used for atrial fibrillation ablation left atrial appendage occlusion and patent foramen ovale closure as well as treatment of mitral valve regurgitation wi ...

Project Summary In spite of the prevalence and severity of many neurological disordersthe development of new classes of drugs has been sluggish for decadesThe lack of new therapeutics is duein partto challenges in replicating the relevant biology in robustscalable in vitro assaysSynaptic dysfunctionin particularhas been implicated in a number of devastating neurological disorders including epileps ...

Project Summary Severe psychiatric disordersincluding schizophreniabipolar disorderand major depressive disorder are prevalentchronic and debilitating brain diseases that result in intense suffering and reduced quality of lifeThere is a profound lack of new medicines for psychiatric disorderswhich remain a major area of unmet medical needDiscovery of more effective therapies for mental illness has ...

DescriptionThe mechanisms underlying brain functionssuch as perceptionmotor controllearning and memoryin health and disease result from the coordinated responses of neurons distributed across multiple brain regionsHoweverconventional electrode technologies have not scaled to capture this networked activityResearchers are forced to compromise between low resolution over large areas of the brain or ...

SIGNIFICANCEThe long term impact of stimulation upon visceral organ function remain unknown in many diseasesas acute tethered experiments are confounded by the influence of anesthesia and abnormal patterns of food intake and sleepAnimal handling stressloss of animals from damage to electrode hardware and connectorsand motion artifacts preclude tethered configurations as a viable alternative for lo ...