Browsing by Author "Newman, Sharlene D."
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Item Association Between Hormonal Birth Control, Substance Use, and Depression(Frontiers, 2022) Newman, Sharlene D.; University of Alabama TuscaloosaObjectiveThe current study examined the impact of the use of hormonal birth control, cannabis (CB), and alcohol on depression symptoms. Study DesignSurvey data from 3,320 college-aged women collected over a 2-year period. Depression symptoms were assessed using the PHQ-9. ResultsIndividuals taking hormonal birth control (N = 998; age = 19.1 +/- 1.6 years) had lower overall depression scores than did those not taking birth control (N = 2,322; age = 19.1 +/- 1.8 years) with 15.2% of those not taking hormonal birth control had depressive symptoms while 12.1% of those in the birth control group had depressive symptoms. Additionally, those taking hormonal birth control had higher scores on the alcohol and CB use assessment. A between-subjects ANOVA with depression score as the dependent variable found significant effects hormonal birth control use, CB and alcohol use, as well as a significant interaction between CB use and hormonal birth control use. ConclusionsWhile there are some limitations (e.g., the between subjects design makes it such that there may be uncontrolled differences between groups), the results suggest that hormonal birth control use may help to reduce depressive symptoms. ImplicationsMore studies examining the impact of hormonal birth control and substance use on depression are required. The results suggest a potential interaction between CB and hormonal birth control use on depression symptoms that is not observed for alcohol. This implies that alcohol and CB may be linked to depression via different mechanisms.Item Association Between Proteomic Blood Biomarkers and DTI/NODDI Metrics in Adolescent Football Players: A Pilot Study(Frontiers, 2020) Kawata, Keisuke; Steinfeldt, Jesse A.; Huibregtse, Megan E.; Nowak, Madeleine K.; Macy, Jonathan T.; Kercher, Kyle; Rettke, Devin J.; Shin, Andrea; Chen, Zhongxue; Ejima, Keisuke; Newman, Sharlene D.; Cheng, Hu; Indiana University Bloomington; University of Alabama TuscaloosaWhile neuroimaging and blood biomarker have been two of the most active areas of research in the neurotrauma community, these fields rarely intersect to delineate subconcussive brain injury. The aim of the study was to examine the association between diffusion MRI techniques [diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation/dispersion density imaging (NODDI)] and brain-injury blood biomarker levels [tau, neurofilament-light (NfL), glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein (GFAP)] in high-school football players at their baseline, aiming to detect cumulative neuronal damage from prior seasons. Twenty-five football players were enrolled in the study. MRI measures and blood samples were obtained during preseason data collection. The whole-brain, tract-based spatial statistics was conducted for six diffusion metrics: fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial/radial diffusivity (AD, RD), neurite density index (NDI), and orientation dispersion index (ODI). Five players were ineligible for MRIs, and three serum samples were excluded due to hemolysis, resulting in 17 completed set of diffusion metrics and blood biomarker levels for association analysis. Our permutation-based regression model revealed that serum tau levels were significantly associated with MD and NDI in various axonal tracts; specifically, elevated serum tau levels correlated to elevated MD (p = 0.0044) and reduced NDI (p = 0.016) in the corpus callosum and surrounding white matter tracts (e.g., longitudinal fasciculus). Additionally, there was a negative association between NfL and ODI in the focal area of the longitudinal fasciculus. Our data suggest that high school football players may develop axonal microstructural abnormality in the corpus callosum and surrounding white matter tracts, such as longitudinal fasciculus. A future study is warranted to determine the longitudinal multimodal relationship in response to repetitive exposure to sports-related head impacts.Item Does Chronic Cannabis Use Impact Risky Decision-Making: An Examination of fMRI Activation and Effective Connectivity?(Frontiers Media, 2020) Raymond, David R.; Paneto, Adrian; Yoder, Karmen K.; O'Donnell, Brian F.; Brown, Joshua W.; Hetrick, William P.; Newman, Sharlene D.; Indiana University System; Indiana University Bloomington; Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; University of Alabama TuscaloosaWith the increase in use of cannabis and its shifting legal status in the United States, cannabis use has become an important research focus. While studies of other drug populations have shown marked increases in risky decision-making, the literature on cannabis users is not as clear. The current study examined the performance of 17 cannabis users and 14 non-users on the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART) using behavioral, fMRI and effective connectivity methods. Significant attenuation was found in a functional pathway projecting from the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in cannabis users compared to non-using controls as well as decreases in risk-taking behaviors. These findings suggest that cannabis users may process and evaluate risks and rewards differently than non-users.Item Dynamic cognitive inhibition in the context of frustration: Increasing racial representation of adolescent athletes using mobile community-engaged EEG methods(Frontiers, 2022) Hudac, Caitlin M.; Wallace, Jessica S.; Ward, Victoria R.; Friedman, Nicole R.; Delfin, Danae; Newman, Sharlene D.; University of South Carolina Columbia; University of Alabama TuscaloosaIntroductionConcussive events and other brain injuries are known to reduce cognitive inhibition, a key aspect of cognition that supports ones' behaviors and impacts regulation of mood or affect. Our primary objective is to investigate how induction of negative affect (such as frustration) impacts cognitive inhibition and the dynamic process by which youth athletes modulate responses. Secondary objective is to address the lack of Black representation in the scientific literature that promotes brain health and investigates pediatric sports-related brain injury. In particular, neuroscience studies predominantly include White participants despite broad racial representation in sport, in part due to technological hurdles and other obstacles that challenge research access for Black participants. MethodsUsing electroencephalography (EEG), we evaluate the dynamic brain processes associated with cognitive inhibition in the context of frustration induction in adolescent athletes during pre-season conditioning (i.e., prior to contact; N = 23) and a subset during post-season (n = 17). ResultsThe N2 component was sensitive to frustration induction (decreased N2 amplitude, slower N2 latency), although effects were less robust at postseason. Trial-by-trial changes indicated a steady decrease of the N2 amplitude during the frustration block during the preseason visit, suggesting that affective interference had a dynamic effect on cognitive inhibition. Lastly, exploratory analyses provide preliminary evidence that frustration induction was less effective for athletes with a previous history of concussion or migraines (trending result) yet more effective for athletes endorsing a history with mental health disorders. DiscussionWe emphasize the urgent need to improve representation in cognitive neuroscience, particularly as it pertains to brain health. Importantly, we provide detailed guides to our methodological framework and practical suggestions to improve representative participation in studies utilizing high-density mobile EEG.Item Editorial: Machine learning methods for human brain imaging(Frontiers, 2023) Vural, Fatos Tunay Yarman; Newman, Sharlene D.; cukur, Tolga; Ertugrul, Itir Onal; Middle East Technical University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Ihsan Dogramaci Bilkent University; Utrecht UniversityItem Editorial: Towards an Understanding of the Relationship Between Spatial Processing Ability and Numerical and Mathematical Cognition(Frontiers, 2020) Soylu, Firat; Newman, Sharlene D.; University of Alabama TuscaloosaItem The health of rural Black communities during COVID: Some affirmations, some surprises(Frontiers, 2023) Newman, Sharlene D.; Moss, Kimberly; Pichon, Melonie; Scott, Deborah; Rogers, Kileema; Orr, Angela; Bui, Chuong; Payne-Foster, Pamela; University of Alabama TuscaloosaBackground and objectiveThere are overwhelming health disparities in the Deep South. It is important to include the voice of communities affected by these disparities when developing interventions. The goal of the current study was to develop an academic community engaged partnership to strengthen the ability to address priority health concerns of rural African American communities with a focus on health literacy and health advocacy. MethodsA community-based participatory research approach was used to administer a 15-item community health survey in five rural communities led by African American mayors in Alabama (N = 752). The survey assessed the health concerns and the potential behaviors that may be associated with those health concerns. ResultsThe five communities demonstrated similarities as well as differences in both the health concerns endorsed and the potential health behaviors that may contribute to those concerns. All five communities identified cardiovascular disease as a health concern with three endorsing mental health issues and 2 dental health. With respect to behaviors, all five communities identified either unhealthy eating/exercise and substance use as concerns with one community identifying racism as a risky behavior affecting health. ConclusionThe results presented replicate CBPR studies demonstrating that communities are important sources of information about local health priorities and concerns.Item Hippocampal Neurotransmitter Inhibition Suppressed During Gaming Explained by Skill Rather Than Gamer Status(Frontiers, 2020) Prena, Kelsey; Cheng, Hu; Newman, Sharlene D.; Boston University; Indiana University Bloomington; University of Alabama TuscaloosaGoal-directed spatial decision making video games combine spatial mapping, memory, and reward; all of which can involve hippocampal excitation through suppression of an inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In this study, GABA was measured before and after 30 min of video game play within a voxel around the hippocampus. It was predicted that all participants would experience a decrease in GABA during gaming as a result of in-game rewards; and, those who were most competitive with the goal-directed spatial decision making game would display lower hippocampal GABA concentrations after gaming. Those who were not competitive, because they were too skilled or not skilled enough, would demonstrate higher hippocampal GABA concentrations after gaming. While there were no significant differences in hippocampal GABA before and after gaming for gamers and non-gamers alike, there was a significant quadratic regression between performance on a spatial working memory task and post-gaming hippocampal GABA concentrations.Item A Mixed-Effects Model of Associations Between Interleukin-6 and Hippocampal Volume(Oxford University Press, 2022) Alzheimer's Dis Neuroimaging Initi; Harrell, Erin R.; Bui, Chuong; Newman, Sharlene D.; University of Alabama TuscaloosaPrevious studies report hippocampal volume loss can help predict conversion from normative aging to mild cognitive impairment to dementia. Additionally, a growing literature indicates that stress-related allostatic load may increase disease vulnerability. The current study examined the relationship between stress-related cytokines (ie, interleukin-6 [IL-6]), cognition as measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, and hippocampal volume. Mixed models were employed to examine both within- (across time) and between-subject effects of IL-6 and hippocampal volume on MMSE score among 566 participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). The within-subject analysis found left hippocampal volume significantly (p = .009) predicted MMSE score. Between-subject analysis found the effect of IL-6 on MMSE was moderated by right hippocampal volume (p = .001). These results replicate previous findings and also extend prior work demonstrating stress-related cytokines may play a role in Alzheimer's disease progression.Item The modulatory role of cannabis use in subconcussive neural injury(Cell Press, 2023) Kalbfell, Rachel M.; Rettke, Devin J.; Mackie, Ken; Ejima, Keisuke; Harezlak, Jaroslaw; Alexander, Isabella L.; Wager-Miller, Jim; Johnson, Blair D.; Newman, Sharlene D.; Kawata, Keisuke; Indiana University Bloomington; Washington University (WUSTL); Saint Louis University; Nanyang Technological University & National Institute of Education (NIE) Singapore; Nanyang Technological University; University of Alabama TuscaloosaCannabis use has become popular among athletes, many of whom are exposed to repetitive subconcussive head impacts. We aimed to test whether chronic cannabis use would be neuroprotective or exacerbating against acute subconcus-sive head impacts. This trial included 43 adult soccer players (Cannabis group using cannabis at least once a week for the past 6 months, n = 24; non-cannabis control group, n = 19). Twenty soccer headings, induced by our controlled head-ing model, significantly impaired ocular-motor function, but the degrees of im-pairments were less in the cannabis group compared to controls. The control group significantly increased its serum S100B level after heading, whereas no change was observed in the cannabis group. There was no group difference in serum neurofilament light levels at any time point. Our data suggest that chronic cannabis use may be associated with an enhancement of oculomotor functional resiliency and suppression of the neuroinflammatory response following 20 soc-cer headings.Item The relationship between cannabis use and taurine: A MRS and metabolomics study(PLOS, 2022) Newman, Sharlene D.; Martin, Ashley M. Schnakenberg; Raymond, David; Cheng, Hu; Wilson, Landon; Barnes, Stephen; O'Donnell, Brian F.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Yale University; US Department of Veterans Affairs; Veterans Health Administration (VHA); VA Connecticut Healthcare System; Indiana University of Pennsylvania; University of Alabama Birmingham; Indiana University BloomingtonTaurine is an essential amino acid. It has been shown to be neuroprotective including protecting against the neurotoxic effects of glutamate. The goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between CB use and taurine measured in brain using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and peripherally from a urine sample. Two experiments are presented. The first is a reanalysis of published data that examined taurine and glutamate in the dorsal anterior cingulate of a CB user group and non-user group using MRS. The second experiment, in a separate CB user group, used metabolomics analysis to measure taurine levels in urine. Because body composition has been associated with the pharmacokinetics of cannabis and taurine levels, a moderation model was examined with body composition included as the covariate. The MRS study found taurine levels were correlated with glutamate in both groups and taurine was correlated with frequency of CB use in the CB user group. The moderation model demonstrated significant effects of CB use and BMI; the interaction was marginally significant with lower BMI individuals showing a positive relationship between CB use and taurine. A similar finding was observed for the urine analysis. Both CB use and weight, as well as the interaction were significant. In this case, individuals with higher weight showed an association between CB use and taurine levels. This study shows the feasibility and potential importance of examining the relationship between taurine and CB use as it may shed light on a mechanism that underlies the neuroprotective effects of CB.Item The role of the broader autism phenotype in anxiety and depression in college-aged adults(Frontiers, 2023) Kurtz, McKayla R.; Kana, Rajesh K.; Rivera, Daphne L.; Newman, Sharlene D.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Indiana University BloomingtonThe current study examines the relationship between the presence of autistic traits and anxiety and mood disorders in young adults from different racial groups. A representative sample from a predominately white university (2,791 non-Hispanic White (NHW) and 185 Black students) completed the broad autism phenotype questionnaire (BAPQ), a measure of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9), and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD-7). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to perform two multiple regression analyses to determine the association between race, BAPQ score and anxiety and depression symptoms. The current study found a stronger association between autistic traits had depression and anxiety symptoms in Black participants than did NHW participants. These findings underscore the association between autistic traits and anxiety and depression in Black communities, and the need for further studies on this topic area. Additionally, it highlights the importance of improving access to mental health care for this population.