2019 Scientific Meeting | June 7, 2019 - Manitoba Neuroscience ...
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2019 Scientific Meeting | June 7, 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome Message ........................................................................ 3
General Information ................................................................... 4
Program ...................................................................................... 5
Speaker Abstracts ........................................................................ 7
Poster Listing ............................................................................... 15
Poster Abstracts .......................................................................... 21
Registrant Listing ........................................................................ 45
Maps ............................................................................................ 48
Sponsors & Supporters ............................................................... 51
WELCOME
June 7, 2019
Welcome MNN patrons:
The Manitoba Neuroscience Network has a long-standing tradition of fostering collegial interaction amongst
clinicians, researchers, trainees, community stakeholders and affiliated supporters of neuroscience in our
province. It is our great pleasure to host this year’s meeting, for the first time, at The University of Winnipeg,
situated at the heart of our capital city on Treaty One land, in the center of the Metis homeland. We are
excited to expand your awareness of our neuroscience faculty, programs and facilities here at The University of
Winnipeg during the 9th annual meeting of the Manitoba Neuroscience Network. Bring your walking shoes for
the campus tour experience, with events at Convocation Hall, Leatherdale Hall and the Richardson College for
the Environment and Science Complex.
The theme of this year’s meeting is Neuropathology, which will be approached from diverse angles including
sessions on neurogenetics, history of neuroscience, neuro-oncology, neurodegenerative pathology, as well as
cognitive and clinical viewpoints. We are pleased to showcase speakers from across our provincial institutions,
as well as representation from our sister province of Saskatchewan, thanks to the involvement of Dr. Alex
Rajput. The program will be capped with two distinguished visiting speakers this year. Opening the meeting,
we are honored to feature the internationally recognized Canadian Research Council Chair in Developmental
Neurogenetics Dr. Daniel Goldowitz from the University of British Columbia. We will conclude the meeting with
a public lecture by Dr. Janice Robertson from the University of Toronto, a leading expert in Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (ALS) neuropathology and therapeutic development.
It is our goal to encourage inter-institutional connections for investigators and students, as well as highlight the
varied neuroscience training opportunities in our province. To facilitate interactions, we will also be hosting a
networking mixer and neuroscience art silent auction fundraiser at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, directly following
the main scientific sessions. Bring your wallets and help support MNN’s future endeavors and initiatives!
On behalf of the Manitoba Neuroscience Network, we would like to welcome you to actively participate in the
2019 MNN scientific meeting!
Cheers,
Dr. Domenico Di Curzio, Lecturer, Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
Dr. Renée Douville, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg
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GENERAL INFORMATION
MEETING LOCATION
The University of Winnipeg is a downtown urban campus, situated at 515 Portage Ave. Scientific sessions will
be held at multiple campus locations, including Convocation Hall, Leatherdale Hall and the Richardson College
for the Environment and Science Complex. The UW main campus is the site of Wesley Hall (Heritage building),
Convocation Hall (2nd floor Wesley Hall) and Leatherdale Hall. The UW science campus is located at 599 Portage
Ave. and is the site of the Richardson College for the Environment and Science complex atrium (lower level). UW
student guides will be on-site to assist with navigating the campus and making your visit an enjoyable one. A
UW campus accessibility map can be found on page 48. A walking guide for MNN events can be found on page
49. A guide to nearby parking can be found on page 50.
The Winnipeg Art Gallery is within comfortable walking distance from UW main campus, and will be the site for
the networking mixer and neuroscience art silent auction. Directions and walking map can be found here. The
neuroscience art silent auction will accept cash, cheque and e-transfer payment.
Amenities for the MNN 2019 meeting will include:
• Complementary refreshment breaks and taco bar lunch
• Free wireless internet
• Access to nearby paid parking
• Swag bag
• Exhibitors
• On-site UW student guides
• Complementary poster setup and takedown
REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION:
The registration desk will be open starting from 8:30 am on June 7th, and will be located in the main foyer of
historic Wesley Hall. Conference information is available at this location. A limited number of onsite registrations
may be available. Please inquire.
MEALS AND REFRESHMENTS:
Coffee and snacks will be provided throughout the day during the scientific session. A taco bar lunch will also be
provided. The WAG event will be accompanied by hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar service will also be available.
If you have food allergy concerns, please notify attendants at the registration/information desk. All possible will
be done to accommodate special requests.
POSTER INFORMATION:
Poster viewing will take place in the Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex. Posters
should be dropped off at the registration desk for complementary setup and takedown. Poster presentations
finalists will be required to present their work to the poster judges at the pre-arranged times. Poster board
assignments were sent to registrants by e-mail. They are also available at the registration/information desk. The
main poster viewing opportunity is between 2:25pm and 3:45pm. Posters should fit within a 36” high by 48”
wide space. Posters can be collected at the registration desk after the meeting. The Manitoba Neuroscience
Network takes no responsibility for posters remaining after 5:30 pm.
Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2019
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PROGRAM
Friday, June 7th, 2019
8:30–17:00 Registration Desk Open – Wesley Hall, 1st floor
9:00–9:10 Opening Remarks – Convocation Hall
Dr. Domenico Di Curzio & Dr. Renée Douville
Co-chairs - 2019 MNN Scientific Meeting
Departments of Psychology and Biology, University of Winnipeg
SESSION 1: GENETICS OF NEURODEVELOPMENT – CONVOCATION HALL
9:10–10:00 Big data in service of better research and care: Tales from the bench
Keynote Dr. Daniel Goldowitz
Professor – Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia
Member of Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics and BC Children’s Hospital
Research Institute
10:00–10:25 Genetics and Intellectual Disabilities
SP-1 Dr. Albert Chudley
Professor Emeritus, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine,
University of Manitoba
10:30–10:45 Refreshment & exercise break – Convocation & Leatherdale Halls
SESSION 2: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES ON NEUROPATHOLOGY – CONVOCATION HALL
10:45–11:10 Neuropathology, Surgery, and the Discovery of Intracerebral Vascular Nerves
SP-2 Dr. Delia Gavrus
Associate Professor and Chancellor’s Research Chair
History Department, University of Winnipeg
11:10–12:00 Neuropathology of Parkinsonism: a clinician’s perspective
Keynote Dr. Alex Rajput
Director, Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
SESSION 2 BREAKOUT: EMOTIONAL & COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE – LEATHERDALE HALL
10:45–11:10 Neuroimaging Investigations of the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR)
SP-3 Dr. Stephen Smith
Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba
11:10–11:35 Exploring the potential of Sharing Dance for people living with dementia and carers
SP-4 Dr. Rachel Herron
Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Environment, Brandon University
11:35–12:00 Learning to Read Changes the Dynamics of Spoken Language Processing
SP-5 Dr. Amy Desroches
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba
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PROGRAM
12:00–1:00 Taco bar lunch – Convocation & Leatherdale Halls
1:00–1:10 Welcome address – Convocation Hall
Dr. Annette Trimbee
President, University of Winnipeg
SESSION 3: NEURO-ONCOLOGY – CONVOCATION HALL
1:10–1:35 Dissecting cellular heterogeneity in search of new therapeutic targets for medulloblastoma
SP-6 Dr. Tamra Werbowetski-Ogilvie
Associate Professor, Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Manitoba
Departments of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics / Physiology & Pathophysiology
Canada Research Chair in Neuro-oncology and Human Stem Cells
1:35–2:00 Proteomics of adult brain tumors for the discovery of novel biomarkers and treatments
SP-7 Dr. Thomas Klonisch
Department Head, Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science
Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba
2:00–2:25 Brain metastasis – a fatal complication
SP-8 Dr. Sabine Hombach-Klonisch
Associate Professor and Section Head Gross Anatomy
Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba
2:25–3:45 Poster session, refreshments & exercise break – RCE atrium
SESSION 4: FOCUS ON ALS – CONVOCATION HALL
3:45–4:05 Raltegravir effectively reverses ERVK integrase-mediated pathology
SP-9 Dr. Domenico Di Curzio
Postdoctoral Fellow, Douville Lab, Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg
Lecturer/Instructor, Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
4:05–4:50 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia: a Disease Spectrum
Keynote Dr. Janice Robertson
The James Hunter Family Chair in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
Professor, Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto
4:50–5:00 Closing remarks – Convocation Hall
Dr. Domenico Di Curzio & Dr. Renée Douville
Co-chairs - 2019 MNN Scientific Meeting
WAG EVENT
5:00–6:45 Registration for WAG session – WAG, 4th floor (Penthouse lobby)
5:00–7:00 Winnipeg Art Gallery networking mixer & neuroscience art silent auction
Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2019
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Daniel Goldowitz
Professor, Department of Medical Genetics
University of British Columbia
Member of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Developmental Neurogenetics
BIOSKETCH:
Dr. Dan Goldowitz received his PhD in Psychobiology at the University of California at Irvine and did postdoctoral
training in Boston, Stockholm and Salt Lake City where the focus was on brain development. Currently, he is
a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Developmental Neurogenetics and Professor in the Department of Medical
Genetics at UBC and member of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics.
He led a successful application and a renewal for a Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence in brain development
in late 2009 and 2014, called NeuroDevNet, now called Kids Brain Health Network. Over the past eight years,
Dr. Goldowitz has worked with a group of skilled and passionate researchers and important stakeholders
across Canada to make significant impacts in the domains of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism
and cerebral palsy. Most recently, he co-led a successful national competition in chronic disease Strategies for
Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) in brain-based disorders, CHILD-BRIGHT. In the lab, Dr. Goldowitz continues
using mouse models to study perturbations of brain development and the genes that drive the development of
the cerebellum.
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Alex Rajput
Director, Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Program
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine
Royal University Hospital
University of Saskatchewan
BIOSKETCH:
Dr. Alex Rajput received his MD from the University of Saskatchewan in 1994 followed by residency training in
Neurology at the University of Iowa and the University of Saskatchewan and a one year clinical fellowship in
Movement Disorders. He received his American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Certification in 1999 and
his Canadian FRCPC certification the following year. He joined the faculty of the Division of Neurology at the
University of Saskatchewan in 2000.
Shortly after he started, he was trained in human frozen brain processing by Dr. Oleh Hornykiewicz, Nobel
nominee. These skills have allowed for much wider research collaborations. His clinical and research interests
are in Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonian conditions, essential tremor and dystonia.
He was the Neurology residency program director from 2005-2010 and is a former examiner for the Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Rajput is the director of the Saskatchewan Parkinson’s Disease and Movement
Disorders Program and the Frozen Brain Studies Laboratory. He was promoted to Professor in 2010 and is
currently Head of the Division of Neurology at the University of Saskatchewan.
Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2019
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Janice Robertson
Professor
The James Hunter Family Chair in ALS Research
Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology
University of Toronto
BIOSKETCH:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are the two extremes of a disease
spectrum, sharing clinical, genetic and neuropathological overlaps. The characteristic pathology in ALS/FTD is
cytoplasmic inclusions comprising of the normally nuclear TAR DNA Binding Protein (TDP-43) in disease-affected
neurons. TDP-43 is a DNA/RNA binding protein that regulates numerous aspects of RNA metabolism, including
transcriptional regulation, alternative splicing and stress granule formation.TDP-43 could contribute to the
disease process through a loss of function from the nucleus, causing gene expression changes, and/or through
a proteotoxic mechanism in the neuronal cytoplasm. The major upstream element causing TDP-43 pathology in
ALS/FTD is mutations in C9orf72, a gene of unclear function. Hexanucleotide repeat expansions in a non-coding
region of C9orf72 are responsible for 40% of familial ALS cases and 8% of sporadic cases, making it the most
common genetic cause of ALS/FTD. Understanding the link between C9orf72 and TDP-43 is crucial to developing
therapeutic strategies for these devastating diseases that currently have no cure or effective treatment.
Dr. Janice Robertson holds the James Hunter and Family Chair in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis at the
University of Toronto, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, and Tanz Centre for Research in
Neurodegenerative Diseases. The focus of her research is understanding the molecular mechanisms causing
ALS using in vitro and in vivo modelling, neuronal specific transcriptional/translational profiling, and biomarker
analysis of clinical samples. She obtained her PhD from the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London and
trained as a Wellcome Trust Prize Travelling Fellow at McGill University. She started her lab at the University of
Toronto in 2003 where she obtained a Premiers Research Excellence Award and was made a Canada Research
Chair Tier 2. Her specific interests include SOD1, TDP-43 and C9orf72, with her research broadening to include
frontotemporal dementia as part of the ALS disease spectrum.
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SPEAKER ABSTRACTS
Dr. Albert Chudley
SP-1 Professor Emeritus, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine,
University of Manitoba
Genetics and Intellectual Disabilities
Following this presentation the participants will be able to:
• Estimate the prevalence of Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
• Recognize the contribution of genetic factors in ID
• Review select ID cases to illustrate the benefits of a genetic diagnosis and how this contributes
to affected individuals and their families
Professor Albert (Ab) Chudley graduated in Medicine at the University of Manitoba in 1974 and has spe-
cialty certifications in Pediatrics, Clinical Genetics and Medical Genetics. He trained in pediatrics, neo-
natology and genetics at Children’s Hospital Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, the Hospital for Sick
Children, Toronto (U of T) and Magee-Women’s Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Chudley is
currently a Professor Emeritus in the Departments of Pediatrics and Child Health and the Department of
Biochemistry and Medical Genetics at the University of Manitoba. He is a former Medical Director of the
Program in Genetics and Metabolism in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority the Health Sciences Cen-
tre and Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg. His clinical and research interests are in the areas of recognition,
delineation and prevention of birth defects, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities
including autism spectrum disorders, syndrome and gene discovery. Currently his interests are in genetic
and epigenetic factors in FASD. He has published extensively in the area of medical genetics with over 250
peer reviewed articles, 180 conference abstracts, scores of reports, 27 book chapters and the book Basic
Concepts in Teratology. Professor Chudley has earned numerous awards and distinctions. In 2017, he was
conferred the title of Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba in recognition of Distinguished
Service.
Dr. Delia Gavrus
SP-2 Associate Professor and Chancellor’s Research Chair
History Department, University of Winnipeg
Neuropathology, Surgery, and the Discovery of
Intracerebral Vascular Nerves
Delia Gavrus is an Associate Professor of history at the University of Winnipeg. She has published on the
history of the mind and brain sciences, among other topics in the history of science and medicine. She is
currently working on several projects, including a biography of the Canadian neurosurgeon Wilder Pen-
field.
Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2019
10SPEAKER ABSTRACTS
Dr. Stephen Smith
SP-3 Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba
Neuroimaging Investigations of the Autonomous
Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR)
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) is a sensory-emotional experience where specific stim-
uli (ASMR ‘triggers’) elicit tingling sensations on the scalp, neck, and shoulders; these sensations are ac-
companied by a positive affective state. Though similar to synesthesia, behavioural studies have shown
that ASMR is a distinct phenomenon. Using task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
and event-related potentials (ERP), I will depict that ASMR triggers elicit activity in brain areas related
to sensation, emotion, and attention in people with ASMR, but not matched control participants. A rest-
ing-state fMRI study was conducted to examine if fluctuations of hemodynamic activity that occur when
not performing a task differ between ASMR and control participants. We found that ASMR is associated
with weaker functional connectivity in various resting-state networks, and the sensorimotor network
showed greater functional connectivity with orbitofrontal cortex regions related to reward processing.
Together, these data move us toward a greater understanding of neural structures associated with ASMR.
Steve Smith obtained both his Master of Arts and PhD in Psychology at the University of Waterloo and
then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in affective neuroscience at Vanderbilt University. He joined
the Department of Psychology at the University of Winnipeg in 2006 and is now a Full Professor. His
research—which includes behavioural, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging studies—focuses on the
interaction between emotion, movement, and attention.
Dr. Rachel Herron
SP-4 Associate Professor
Department of Geography and Environment, Brandon University
Exploring the potential of Sharing Dance for people
living with dementia and carers
A growing body of research suggests that dance is ‘good for’ people living with dementia. Much of this
research has focused on measuring the impact of dance programs on behaviour, cognition, and emotional
states; however, little attention has been given to the broader social benefits of dance such as emotional
connection and social inclusion. Drawing on a multi-method pilot study employing observations, diaries,
focus groups and interviews, we examine the potential of an innovative dance program developed by Bay-
crest Health Sciences and Canada’s National Ballet School, to transform interactions, assumptions, and
spaces of care. We identify moments, processes, and places of transformation throughout the program
including changing ideas and expressions about one’s self; changing interactions with staff, volunteers,
and carers; changing engagement with activities; and changing relationships with home and community.
We argue that dance is not just ‘good for’ people living with dementia; it is also good for fostering dif-
ferent ways of relating to others. Our findings contribute to research on social inclusion by identifying
features and processes in this program with transformative potential for both people living with dementia
and others surrounding them.
Rachel Herron is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Brandon
University and a Canada Research Chair in Rural and Remote Mental Health. Her current research exam-
ines the vulnerability and complexity of care relationships, social inclusion and meaningful engagement
for people with dementia, and the diversity of lived experiences of rural mental health with a specific
focus on gender.
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Dr. Amy Desroches
SP-5 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba
Learning to Read Changes the Dynamics of Spoken
Language Processing
Whereas children lean spoken language seemingly effortlessly, learning to read develops slowly through
the school years, requiring explicit instruction. Although children vary in the ease with which children
learn to read, reading eventually becomes automatic for most individuals. I will present data from a col-
lection of studies that examine the neural basis of reading by evaluating the changes that undergo the
neurocognitive language network over reading development. Data from event related potentials [ERPs]
collected from children and adults during spoken language processing tasks will be presented. The results
of this research provide evidence that the language network changes to accommodate reading, such that
individuals who can read automatically access orthography (i.e., written word representations) during
spoken word recognition.
Dr. Amy S. Desroches is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of
Winnipeg. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Western University, and completed a postdoctoral
fellowship at Northwestern University. Her research uses cognitive and neuroimaging methods like EEG/
ERP, fMRI, and eyetracking to explore the development of reading and language. Her recent findings
have revealed insight into the dynamics of language and the neural underpinnings of learning disorders
of reading and language (e.g., developmental dyslexia, specific language impairment) in both English and
Chinese.
Dr. Tamra Werbowetski-Ogilvie
SP-6 Associate Professor, Regenerative Medicine Program
Departments of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics / Physiology & Pathophysiology
University of Manitoba
Canada Research Chair in Neuro-oncology and Human Stem Cells
Dissecting cellular heterogeneity in search of new
therapeutic targets for medulloblastoma
I have made significant contributions to the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating
stem cell function and heterogeneity in medulloblastoma (MB), the most common primary malignant
pediatric brain tumor. As an independent investigator since November 2010, I have acquired over $3.8
million in operating and infrastructure funds to support my research and have established collaborations
with world-renowned experts in brain tumor and stem cell biology. My laboratory specializes in the char-
acterization of the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating medulloblastoma (MB) progression,
with a focus on the processes that are common between normal stem cells and MB cells. We have discov-
ered central regulators of self-renewal (Molecular Oncology, 2018, Disease Models & Mechanisms, 2015;
Stem Cells, 2012) and potential diagnostic biomarkers for MB (Oncotarget, 2015; Cancer Research, 2018).
We routinely utilize model systems, some of which I first developed (Nature Biotechnology, 2009; Stem
Cells, 2012), that most closely represent the human condition, including primary MB cells from patient
tumors, MB-like cells derived from human neural precursor cells and mouse models where these cells are
implanted into the brain.
Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2019
12SPEAKER ABSTRACTS
Dr. Thomas Klonisch
SP-8 Department Head, Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science
Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Departments of Surgery and Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
Director of the Histomorphology and Ultrastructural Imaging Platform
& Glioma Cell Resource
Adjunct Scientist, Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology (RIOH)
Proteomics of adult brain tumors for the discovery
of novel biomarkers and treatments
Dr. Thomas Klonisch obtained both his MD and PhD in Medical Biochemistry at the University of Giessen
in Germany. He gained research experience in Canada, England, and Germany as a postdoctoral fellow,
senior research fellow, and assistant professor until achieving tenure as an associate professor at the
University of Halle-Wittenberg in Halle, Germany. He returned to Canada and achieved full professor
status in 2004 at the University of Manitoba, where he is currently Department Head of Human Anatomy
and Cell Science among other diverse leadership roles. Through his work that is primarily focused on
molecular and clinical research in cancer biology, diagnostics, and treatment, Dr. Klonisch has been able
to obtain multiple research grants from various funding agencies during his time at the University of Man-
itoba. He currently has research support from NSERC, CIHR, Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada, Cancer
Research Society, and Collaborative Health Research Projects, among others, as Principal or Co-Principal
Investigator for his diversified research projects. Some of his work involves using proteomic approaches
to establish novel biomarkers and treatments for adults suffering with brain tumors, which he will be
presenting at this year’s MNN meeting.
Dr. Sabine Hombach-Klonisch
SP-9 Associate Professor and Section Head Gross Anatomy
Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science
Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Brain metastasis – a fatal complication
I completed my MD and PhD at Justus-Liebig-University Giessen in Germany. I became an assistant pro-
fessor at the University of Manitoba in 2004 and currently hold an associate professor position. As a col-
laborative member of the Brain Tumor Research Alliance Manitoba, my lab is involved in the brain tumor
cell repository for glioblastoma tumors and collection of liquid biopsies from brain cancer patients. My
research focuses on investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumor cell invasion/metastasis
and chemoresistance in breast and brain cancers, and pathways promoting phenotypic and nuclear can-
cer cell plasticity in response to environmental challenges that are key to cancer cell survival and treat-
ment failures. We use human cancer cell lines, patient-derived primary cancer cells, animal models for
intracranial xenografting and in-vivo bioluminescence imaging, and fluorescence microscopy to monitor
cellular protein interactions, DNA damage and 3D nuclear telomere changes in single cell analysis. Ongo-
ing projects study the nuclear function of the chromatin-remodeling protein and stem cell factor HMGA2
in DNA damage repair and telomere stability in promoting cancer cell chemoresistance. We also study the
tumor-promoting role of novel ligands of the transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor RXFP1 in brain
and breast cancer models to develop specific inhibitors to block RXFP1 function in cancer cells. I recent-
ly established an in-vivo breast cancer brain metastasis model using ultrasound-guided left ventricular
injections of breast cancer cells to examine molecular mechanisms of early metastasis in the brain. My
research is funded by local, provincial and national funding agencies, including NSERC, Canadian Breast
Cancer Foundation, Cancer Research Society/CIHR partnership, and Breast Cancer Society of Canada.
9th Scientific Meeting
13SPEAKER ABSTRACTS
Dr. Domenico Di Curzio
SP-9 / MC Postdoctoral Fellow, Douville Lab, Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg
Lecturer/Instructor, Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
Raltegravir effectively reverses ERVK integrase-
mediated pathology
Dr. Domenico (Dom) Di Curzio is a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Renée Douville in the De-
partment of Biology at the University of Winnipeg, where he is also an instructor in the Department of
Psychology. He previously completed his MSc in Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia in
Vancouver, BC with this year’s opening keynote speaker, Dr. Daniel Goldowitz. He completed his PhD &
postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Manitoba (UM) in Human Anatomy & Cell Science and Pa-
thology Departments with Dr. Marc Del Bigio focusing on neuropathology and preclinical treatments for
hydrocephalus, which was followed by another postdoctoral fellowship at UM in Medical Microbiology
with Dr. Lyle McKinnon. He is the recipient of the Dr. Beni M. Sahai Fund for Cell and Molecular Biology
for Advancement in Medical Research, and his current research examines how endogenous retroviruses
(ERVs) contribute to neurological diseases with a particular focus on ALS neuropathology. The Douville
Lab is working diligently to understand the cellular mechanisms of ERV-associated neuropathology and
disease in order to develop effective therapeutics for ALS and other neurological diseases using antiviral
treatments.
Dr. Renée Douville
MC Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg
Adjunct Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba
The Douville lab is specialized in the study of human endogenous retrovirus-K (ERVK) and its relation-
ship with inflammatory disease. Dr. Douville is a cellular immunologist, neurovirologist and a molecular
biologist by training, with peer-reviewed publications in major journals of each field. Our main research
interest has been the regulation of ERVK expression in health and disease, with focuses on host-pathogen
interaction and host innate immunity. The ERVK associated-diseases we study are Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (ALS), Kennedy’s Disease (SBMA) and schizophrenia. We conduct our research using human
models, such as primary cells and fluids, glial and neuronal cell line in vitro cultures, cerebral organoids
and autopsy tissue. We also have developed transgenic Drosophila models of ERVK activity. The Douville
lab is equipped with a BSL2+ tissue culture suite with fluorescent live-cell imager, a dedicated confocal
microscopy facility and equipment to perform diverse cellular and molecular readouts. Our computation-
al biology platform RetroExplorer is aimed at providing the research community a web-enabled database
to study endogenous retroviruses in the human genome. Our ultimate goal is to better understand the
biological basis of endogenous retroviruses in motor neuron disease and psychosis. These ongoing bioin-
formatic and biomedical studies on ERVK have the discovery potential to identify viral neuropathological
mechanisms and aid in the development of anti-retroviral drugs to treat neurodegenerative and neuro-
psychiatric illness.
Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2019
14LISTING OF POSTER ABSTRACTS
P# Presenter Authors & Affiliations Title
P-1 Hana Abbas Hana H Abbas*, Jonathan J Marotta. Grasping remembered objects and avoiding
Perception and Action Lab, Department of Psychology, obstacles along the way.
University of Manitoba
P-2 Aida Adlimoghaddam Aida Adlimoghaddam¹, Raymond. S. Therapeutic targeting of mitochondria with
Turner², Benedict. C. Albensi¹. the anti-cancer drug, Nilotinib in Alzheimer’s
¹Pharmacol. & Therapeut., Univ. of Manitoba. St. disease.
Boniface Hospital Research, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
²Neurol., Georgetown Univ.,Washington, DC
P-3 Mohamad-Reza Mohamad-Reza Aghanoori*¹,², Darrell R. Autocrine/paracrine IGF-1 in DRG Neurons
Aghanoori Smith1, Prasoon Agarwal²,³, Vernon W. Drives Neurite Outgrowth and Is Suppressed in
Dolinsky²,³, Vinith Yathindranath²,⁴, Donald the Diabetic State.
W. Miller2,4 and Paul Fernyhough¹,²
¹Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface
Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Canada.
pfernyhough@sbrc.ca
²Dept of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of
Manitoba, Canada
³Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba,
University of Manitoba, Canada
⁴Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, University
of Manitoba, Canada
P-4 Melissa Anderson Melissa Anderson1, Sheryl L Herrera1,2, Axon Diameter Inferences in the Mouse Brain.
Morgan E Mercredi3, Guneet Uppal1, Huixin
Zhang4, Michael Zhang1, Liping Huang5,
Domenico Di Curzio6, Melanie Martin1
1
Physics, University of Winnipeg
2
Cubresa, Inc.
3
Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba
4
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
5
Physical Therapy Chinese PLA General Hospital,
Beijing, China
6
Biology, University of Winnipeg
P-5 Katrina Armstrong K. Armstrong*, S. Bhavya1, M. Nazzali1,2, Downregulation of 5-HT7 receptors in adult
X. Chen1, U. Slawinska2, K. Stecina1, L. M. rats and selective serotonergic neuron-exci-
Jordan1; tation changes hindlimb pattern during fictive
1
Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada 2Nencki locomotion.
Inst. of Exptl. Biol. PAS, Warsaw, Poland
P-6 Anjelica Bodnaryk Anjelica Bodnaryk*, Colleen Peterson, Tam- Modulation of neuronal electrical excitability
my Ivanco, Gregg Tomy, Mark Fry. by a common flame retardant.
University of Manitoba, Departments of Biological
Sciences, Chemistry and Psychology.
P-7 Bruce Bolster Stefan N. Korban, Dylan P. Muller & R. Places vs. objects-in-places: Testing a two-pro-
Bruce Bolster. cess model of hippocampal function.
Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
P-8 Samuel Booth Sam Booth1, 2, Dali Zhang1, 2, Ji Hyun Ko1, 2. Striatal angiogenesis is not directly associ-
1
Department of Cell Science and Human Anatomy, ated with levodopa induced dyskinesia in a
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, 2 Kleyson parkinsonian rat model.
Institute of Advanced Medicine, Health Science Centre,
Winnipeg, Canada.
9th Scientific Meeting
15LISTING OF POSTER ABSTRACTS
P# Presenter Authors & Affiliations Title
P-9 Tiffany Carther-Krone Tiffany A. Carther-Krone* , Jane M. Law-
1
Neural correlates of perceptual grouping are
rence-Dewar2, Sarah Shomstein3, Joseph modulated by attention.
C. Nah3, Andrew J. Collegio3, & Jonathan J.
Marotta1
1
Perception and Action Lab, Department of
Psychology, University of Manitoba
2
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center
3
Department of Psychology, The George Washington
University
P-10 André Coleman André Coleman*, Hossein Tavakoli, James Gap Junctions and the Development of Blood
Nagy, Kristine Cowley, Katinka Stecina. Pressure Changes after Spinal Cord Injury.
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology,
University of Manitoba
P-11 Shreya Dhume Shreya Dhume*, Benyamin Karimi, Reiko LRRTM1 and LRRTM2 are required for the dis-
Roppongi and Tabrez J. Siddiqui. tinct processes in developing and adult brain.
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology,
University of Manitoba
P-12 Domenico Di Curzio Domenico Di Curzio1, Mamneet Gurm2, Human endogenous retrovirus-K encodes a
Marie-Josée Nadeau1, Matthew Turnbull1 conotoxin-like protein.
and Renée N. Douville1,2.
1
Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
2
Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
P-13 Xinwen Dong Xinwen Donga, Sa Lia, Gilbert J Kirouac*a,b. Chemogenetic inhibition of neurons in the
a
Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus that
College of Dentistry
b
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Rady
project to the nucleus accumbens has an anxi-
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba olytic effect on stress-induced anxiety.
P-14 Triston Eastman Eastman TG*, Rezaeian Mehrabadi A, Kim Microglial PARP-1 depletion reduces neuroin-
JH, Yeung A, Jackson MF, and Kauppinen flammation, synaptic decline and cognitive
TM. deficits in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of Alzhei-
Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University mer’s disease.
of Manitoba, Kleysen Institute
P-15 Aleksandra Glogowska Aleksandra Glogowska, Thatchawan Cytoskeletal reorganization by CTRP8 in brain
Thanasupawat, Maxwell Burg, Sabine Hom- cancer cells.
bach-Klonisch, Thomas Klonisch.
Human Anatomy and Cell Science,
University of Manitoba
Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2019
16LISTING OF POSTER ABSTRACTS
P# Presenter Authors & Affiliations Title
P-16 Vinay Gupta Vinay Gupta, Ji Hyun Ko. ADRP: Alzheimer’s Disease related metabolic
Biomedical Engineering, University of Manitoba brain pattern and network topology of the
pattern.
P-17 Grant Hatch Laura K. Cole1, Jin Hee Kim1, Andrew A. Aberrant cardiolipin metabolism is associated
Amoscato2, Yulia Y. Tyurina2, Hülya Bayir3, with cognitive deficiency and hippocampal
Valerian E. Kagan2, Tabrez Siddiqui4, Tiina M. alteration in tafazzin knockdown.
Kauppinen1, Grant M. Hatch1,5.
1
Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of
Manitoba, 2 Center for Free Radical and Antioxidant
Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,
University of Pittsburgh, 3 Safar Center for Resuscitation
Research, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University
of Pittsburgh, 4 Physiology & Pathophysiology, 5 DREAM,
Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba,
CRTA, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
P-18 Ocean Hingley-Hurl Hingley-Hurl O*, Kim JH, Tanwar S, Kaup- Microglial modulation prevents sexually dimor-
pinen TM. phic inflammatory responses and improves
Dept. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of cognitive deficits in the offspring of gestational
Manitoba
diabetes dams.
P-19 Adam Hogan-Cann Adam D. Hogan-Cann, Ping Lu, and Christo- Endothelial NMDA receptors mediate activi-
pher M. Anderson. ty-dependent brain hemodynamic responses
1
Neuroscience Research Program, Kleysen Institute in mice.
for Advanced Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Win-
nipeg, MB, Canada
2
Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Uni-
versity of Manitoba
P-20 Benyamin Karimi Benjamin Karimi1,2, Prabhisha Silwal1,2, LRRTM1 Controls Synaptic Function in the
Shreya Dhume1,2, Nazmeena Zahra1,2, Mediodorsal Nucleus of Thalamus.
Michael F. Jackson1,3, Gilbert Kirouac4,
Tabrez J. Siddiqui1,2.
1
Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Health
Sciences Centre, 2 Department of Physiology and
Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, 3 Department
of Pharmacology and therapeutics, University of
Manitoba, 4 Department of Oral Biology, University of
Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
P-21 Siavash Kermani Siavash Kermani Koosheh*, Douglas A. Wil- Blink Startle Magnitudes in Everyday Sadists.
Koosheh liams, Paul D. Trapnell, Stephen D. Smith.
Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
P-22 Laëtitia Kermarrec Laëtitia Kermarrec1*, Sheila Singh3,4, Sachin Establishment of high throughput DNA dam-
Katyal1,2. age repair assays for use in patient-derived
1
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics tumorspheres in the context of Glioblastoma
University of Manitoba
2
Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology CancerCare Mani-
Multiforme.
toba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
3
McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute
4
Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery,
Faculty of Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada
P-23 Bronson King Stephen D Smith, Amy S Desroches and The effects of emotion and implied movement
Bronson J King*. on word recognition.
Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg.
9th Scientific Meeting
17LISTING OF POSTER ABSTRACTS
P# Presenter Authors & Affiliations Title
P-24 Tiffany Kolesar Tiffany A. Kolesar Elena Bilevicius Alyssia
1 2
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of
D. Wilson3 and Jennifer Kornelsen1,4. Neural Structural and Functional Differences
Departments of 1Physiology and Pathophysiology, in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Healthy
2
Psychology, 3Internal Medicine, and 4Radiology, Uni-
versity of Manitoba
Controls using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
P-25 Ryan Langridge Ryan W. Langridge* & Jonathan J. Marotta. Visually guided grasping: The influence of tar-
Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba get shape, position, and direction of motion.
P-26 Sidney Leggett Sidney Leggett1, Vanessa Palmer2, Sheryl Simultaneous PET-MR imaging.
Herrera1,2, Katrina Armstrong3, Katinka
Stecina3, Melissa Anderson1, Henri Sanness
Salmon1, Huixin Zhang4, Michael Zhang1,
Liping Huang1,5, Melanie Martin1
1
University of Winnipeg
2
Cubresa, Inc
3
University of Manitoba
4
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
5
Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
P-27 Maria Alejandra M. Alejandra Llanes-Cuesta*, Jun-Feng Upregulation of thioredoxin system during
Llanes-Cuesta Wang. neuronal differentiation.
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
University of Manitoba
P-28 Breanna Meek Domenico Di Curzio1, Marie-Josée Nadeau1, Raltegravir effectively reverses ERVK inte-
Breanna Meek1, Mamneet Gurm2, and grase-mediated pathology.
Renée N. Douville1,2.
1
Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
2
Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
P-29 Maliha Nuzhat Munir Maliha Nuzhat Munir*1, Aleksandra High inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) RNAse
Glogowska1, Vinith Yathindranath2, Don activity in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Miller2, Sabine Hombach-Klonisch1. cells affects their migration through brain en-
Depts. of Human Anatomy and Cell Science1, Phar- dothelial barriers.
macology and Therapeutics2, Rady Faculty of Health
Sciences, University of Manitoba
P-30 Marie-Josée Nadeau Marie-Josée Nadeau1, Cody Rex1, Mamneet Expression of Human Endogenous Retrovirus in
Gurm2, Kerri Schellenberg3, Renée Dou- Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy.
ville1,2.
1
Dept of Biology, University of Winnipeg
2
Dept of Immunology, University of Manitoba
3 Division of Neurology, University of Saskatchewan
P-31 Chetan Patil Patil C*, Lavine N & Jackson M F. Mechanism of pannexin channel activation in
Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Depart- Alzheimer’s disease.
ment of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of
Manitoba
Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2019
18LISTING OF POSTER ABSTRACTS
P# Presenter Authors & Affiliations Title
P-32 Colleen Peterson Colleen S Peterson*, W Mark Fry. Electrophysiological effects of neurotensin on
Department of Biology, University of Manitoba subfornical organ neurons.
P-33 Prajwal Raghunatha Prajwal Raghunatha*, Natalie Lavine, Mi- Role of NMDA Receptor-initiated, PARP-1/
chael F Jackson & Tiina M Kauppinen TRPM2 in driving Sustained Microglial Activa-
Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University tion.
of Manitoba
P-34 Cailin Rothwell Cailin M Rothwell1*, Gaynor E Spencer2, The influence of rearing environment on long-
Ken Lukowiak1 term memory formation.
1
Hotchkiss Brain Institute; Department of Physiology
and Pharmacology; University of Calgary
2
Department of Biological Sciences; Brock University
P-35 Babu Sajesh Sajesh BV1, Yathindranath V2, Miller D 2, Sonic hedgehog signaling promotes blood
Kazina C3, Serleitis D3, Del-Bigio M4, Krawitz brain barrier integrity in diffuse intrinsic pon-
S4, Hulleman E5, Vanan MI*1, 6. tine glioma.
1
Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology,
2
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 3
Neurosurgery, 4 Neuropathology, 6 Pediatrics and Child
Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada, 5 Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, VU Medical
center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
P-36 Henri Sanness Salmon Henri R Sanness Salmon1*, Sheryl L Herre- Comparison of Cylindrical and Spherical Geo-
ra1, Morgan E Mercredi2, Guneet Uppal1 , metric Models to Infer Cell Sizes in a Celery
Melissa Anderson1, Domenico L Di Curzio3 , Sample.
and Melanie Martin1
1
Physics, 3 Biology, University of Winnipeg 2 Physics
and Astronomy, University of Manitoba
P-37 Shiva Shabro Shiva Shabro*, Christina Meier, Ji Hyun Age related changes of the avian brain function
Ko, Andrew L. Goertzen , Debbie M. Kelly. measured by FDG-PET imaging.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Manitoba
P-38 Kashfia Shafiq Kashfia Shafiq*, Dr Teng Guan, Dr Jiming The Role of Oxidatively Modified SOD1 in
Kong. Aging.
Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science,
University of Manitoba
P-39 Prabhisha Silwal Prabhisha Silwal*, Nirmala Padmanabhan, A trans-synaptic mechanism for the develop-
Shreya Dhume, Reiko T. Roppongi and ment and function of a neural circuit.
Tabrez J. Siddiqui
Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of
Manitoba
P-40 Asha Sinha A Sinha*, S Katyal, TM Kauppinen. Delineating the effect of PARP inhibitors in
Dept. of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of glioblastoma therapy.
Manitoba
P-41 Thatchawan Thatchawan Thanasupawat1*, Aleksandra Proteomic clustering of glioblastoma and
Thanasupawat Glogowska1, Chris Pascoe2, Jason Beiko3, search for biomarkers.
Marshall Pitz1,4,5, Marc Del Bigio6, Sher-
ry Krawitz6, Sabine Hombach-Klonisch1,
Thomas Klonisch1,3,5,7
Departments of 1 Human Anatomy and Cell Science,
2
Physiology and Pathophysiology, 3 Surgery, 4 Internal
Medicine, 6 Pathology, 7 Medical Microbiology & Infec-
tious Diseases, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max
Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba
5
Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology
(RIOH), CancerCare Manitoba
9th Scientific Meeting
19LISTING OF POSTER ABSTRACTS
P# Presenter Authors & Affiliations Title
P-42 Deepthi Thomas Thomas Deepthi * , Lynn BD , Senecal
1 1
Neuronal communication mediated by gap
JMM1, Siddiqui TJ1, Jackson MF2, Nagy JI1 junction protein Cx36 in the hippocampus.
1
Department of Physiology and
2
Department of Pharmacology, University of Mani-
toba
P-43 Guneet Uppal Guneet Uppal1, Sheryl L Herrera1,2, Morgan A Novel Approach to Magnetic Resonance
E Mercredi3, Henri R Sanness Salmon1, Imaging through Biological Tissue Samples.
Domenico Di Curzio3, Melanie Martin1
1
Physics, University of Winnipeg
2
Cubresa, Inc.
3
Biology, University of Winnipeg
P-44 Natalie Wright Natalie Wright1*, Ronak Patel2, Sarah Novel fMRI analysis reveals pattern of altered
Chaulk2, Gillian Alcolado2, David Podnar2, functional connectivity associated with post-
Natalie Mota2, Candice M. Monson3, Todd traumatic stress disorder.
A. Girard3, and Ji Hyun Ko1.
1
Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, 2
Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University
of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB; 3 Department of Psychol-
ogy, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON.
P-45 Haynes Yuan Haynes. S.H. Yuan and Sachin Katyal. Re-sensitization of tmz resistant glioblastoma
Department of Pharmacology and therapeutics,
multiforme with pamiparib.
University of Manitoba, and CancerCare Manitoba
P-46 Jamie Zagozewski Jamie Zagozewski1, Ghazaleh M. Shahriary1, OTX2-PAX3 control Group 3 medulloblastoma
Ludivine Coudière Morrison1, Margaret cell fate through regulation of axon guidance
Stromecki1, Gareth Palidwor2, Christo- and protein synthesis pathways.
pher J. Porter2, Cynthia Hawkins3, Jen-
nifer A. Chan4, Michael D. Taylor5, Vijay
Ramaswamy5, and Tamra E. Werbowets-
ki-Ogilvie1.
1
Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics,
University of Manitoba
2
Ottawa Bioinformatics Core Facility, Ottawa Hospital
Research Institute
3
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiolo-
gy, University of Toronto
4
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine,
University of Calgary
5
The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research
Center, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of
Toronto
P-47 Ting Zhou Ting Zhou1, Teng Guan1, Xiaosha Zhang1, Peptide-Directed Selective Knockdown of Mis-
Yutian Wang2, Xinmin Li3, Hassan Marzban1, folded SOD1 as a Therapy for ALS.
and Jiming Kong1.
1
Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science,
University of Manitoba
2
Department of Medicine, University of British Co-
lumbia, BC, Canada
3
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, AB, Canada
Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2019
20POSTER ABSTRACTS
P-1 Grasping remembered objects and avoiding obstacles along the way.
Hana H Abbas*, Jonathan J Marotta.
Perception and Action Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba. abbash35@myumanitoba.ca
We often reach for remembered objects, such as when picking up a coffee cup from behind our morning paper. When reaching to previously
seen, now out-of-view objects, we rely on our perceptual memory of the scene, to guide our actions (Milner & Goodale, 1995). Based in relative
coordinates, encoded perceptual representations may likely exaggerate the risk associated with nearby obstacles. For instance, a cereal bowl
next to our coffee cup may be judged as larger than it really is under memory-guided conditions, resulting in a more cautious obstacle avoidance
approach to prevent a messy collision. In contrast, when visual information is available up to the point when a reach is initiated, the precise
positions of objects relative to the self are likely to be computed and incorporated into a motor plan, allowing for finely tuned eye-hand maneuvers
around positioned obstacles. This study examined obstacle avoidance during memory-guided grasping. Eye-hand coordination was monitored as
subjects had to reach through a pair of obstacles in order to grasp a 3D target. The availability of visual information underwent a between-subjects
manipulation, such that reaches occurred either with continuous visual information (visually-guided condition), immediately in the absence of
visual feedback (memory-guided no-delay condition), or after a 2-s delay in the absence of visual feedback (memory-guided delay condition). The
positions and widths of obstacles were manipulated, though their inner edges remained a constant distance apart. We expected the memory-
guided delay group to show exaggerated avoidance strategies, particularly around wider obstacles. Results revealed successful obstacle avoidance
and grasps of the target object in all groups, though different strategies emerged depending on the availability of visual information. The visually-
guided and memory-guided no-delay groups effectively altered the paths of the index finger and wrist and adjusted final index finger positions on
the target object, to account for obstacles differentially obstructing the reach path. Still, the no-delay group showed wider index finger paths and
a failure to adjust final fixations, resulting from the inability to use visual information for the online control of action. Contrary to expectation, the
memory-guided delay group employed a more moderate strategy for avoiding obstacles, with fewer instances of altered index finger and wrist
paths or adjusted index finger positions on the target object in response to positioned obstacles. In other words, subjects reaching to remembered
objects followed a “good enough” approach for avoiding obstacles. To conclude, obstacle avoidance behaviour, driven by our stored perceptual
representations of a scene, appears to adopt a more moderate, rather than exaggerative, strategy.
This work was funded by UofM’s Psychology Graduate Fellowship, NSERC CGSM, and NSERC-DG.
Therapeutic targeting of mitochondria with the anti-cancer drug, Nilotinib in Alzheimer’s
P-2 disease.
Aida Adlimoghaddam1, Raymond. S. Turner2, Benedict. C. Albensi1.
1
Pharmacol. & Therapeut., Univ. of Manitoba. St. Boniface Hospital Research, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; 2 Neurol., Georgetown Univ.,Washington, DC
Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and affects millions of people worldwide. AD is characterized by the
development of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and accumulations of amyloid beta (AB) in brain tissue; however, AD is considered a multifactorial
disorder and seemingly involves several different etiopathogenic mechanisms that can affect mitochondrial function. The earliest deficits in the
pathological progression of AD actually seem to be caused by impaired mitochondrial function – before the robust appearance of AB and NFTs.
In this study, we investigated the effect of the FDA-approved anti-cancer drug, Nilotinib, on mitochondrial function and evaluated mitochondrial
protein subunits expression. Methods: Astroglial cells were isolated from cortical tissue of 7 day old C57BL/6 mice (background control) and
3xTg mice, a transgenic model of AD. Further, the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was measured in control vs. 3xTg cells utilizing the XF24
analyzer after 24 hrs. dose-dependent treatment with Nilotinib (10 nM-1000 nM). Additionally, Western blots were used to detect expression
levels of key proteins involved in mitochondrial function: NF-κB p50/p105/p65/P75 subunits, MnSOD, pCREB, and select OXPHOS complex
protein subunits in astroglia cells in the presence and absence of Nilotinib treatment. Results: Our data shows Nilotinib improves mitochondrial
function putatively through the up-regulation of transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), also via changes associated with antioxidant
manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB), and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) signaling.
Both basal and maximal respiration levels were significantly increased (pPOSTER ABSTRACTS
Autocrine/paracrine IGF-1 in DRG Neurons Drives Neurite Outgrowth and Is Suppressed in the
P-3 Diabetic State.
Mohamad-Reza Aghanoori*1,2, Darrell R. Smith1, Prasoon Agarwal2,3, Vernon W. Dolinsky2,3, Vinith Yathindranath2,4, Donald W. Miller2,4 and Paul
Fernyhough1,2.
1
Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Canada. 2Dept of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Canada, 3Children’s
Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Canada, 4Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada
pfernyhough@sbrc.ca
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a pleiotropic factor with a wide range of action on the peripheral and central nervous systems and its levels
decline with age. Recently, IGF-1 has been used for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including diabetic neuropathy, amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s disease. We hypothesized that impaired autocrine/paracrine IGF-1 in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) is a contributing
factor to progressive neurodegeneration and impaired nerve regeneration in diabetic neuropathy. DRG neuron cultures and sections/tissues
from age-matched control or streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic rats were used for in vitro and in vivo studies. IGF-1 protein and
mRNA levels in liver and DRG tissues were significantly (PYou can also read
