CASEY J. GRAYBEAL, MD

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This study looked at how a part of the brain called the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) helps mice learn to change their choices when rewards change. The researchers found that when mice had to switch their choices, there was a noticeable shift in the activity of brain cells in the DLS; the greater the shift, the quicker the mice adapted their choices. Additionally, if the DLS neurons were temporarily silenced, the mice made more mistakes when trying to change their decisions. Who this helps: This research helps scientists and doctors understand learning processes that can affect treatment strategies for conditions like addiction and Parkinson's disease.

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This study focused on creating a training program called SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) that involves multiple health professions at the University of New England. The program includes ten different disciplines like nursing, pharmacy, and social work, aiming to ensure that all patients are screened for substance use when they visit healthcare providers. Early results show promise in improving the identification and treatment of substance use issues, which is crucial because many people who need help do not receive it. Who this helps: This program benefits patients who struggle with substance use by increasing access to necessary care.

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This study explored new, simple tools for measuring how patients feel about their health and their relationship with their doctors. Researchers tested two quick assessments, finding that they gave reliable results, especially in patients with chronic conditions—like how much they rated their well-being related to their health. The findings showed that these tools can effectively capture important information, which can lead to better healthcare practices. Who this helps: Patients with chronic illnesses and their doctors.

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This study focused on understanding how a protein called PSD-95 affects the durability of fear memories, especially in the context of traumatic experiences linked to anxiety disorders like PTSD. Researchers found that while PSD-95 isn't needed for forming or expressing recent fear memories, it is crucial for making fear memories more flexible and for keeping them strong over longer periods. Specifically, mice lacking PSD-95 struggled to recall old fear memories due to reduced activity in a part of the brain called the infralimbic cortex. Who this helps: This helps patients with anxiety disorders and PTSD by informing potential new treatments that target problematic fear memories.

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This study looked at how specific areas in the brains of mice control the process of overcoming fear, known as fear extinction. Researchers found that mice with difficulty in reducing their fear showed higher brain activity in a region linked to fear, while the area that helps with extinction had different activity patterns. When the activity in the extinction area was increased, it helped these fearful mice to overcome their fear better. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with anxiety disorders, as it may guide treatments for fear-related conditions.

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This study looked at how different mouse breeds learn when using touchscreen systems. Researchers tested 35 different types of mice and found that DBA/2J mice learned to reverse their choices faster than C57BL/6J mice. They also discovered that stress affected these two groups differently, with stress helping C57BL/6J mice learn more quickly during certain tasks, while DBA/2J mice showed no change under stress. This research is important because it helps scientists choose the right mouse strains for studying learning, which can inform treatment strategies for conditions related to cognition. Who this helps: This helps researchers studying learning and cognitive disorders.

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This study looked at how a specific protein in the brain, GluN2B, affects our ability to learn from choices and adjust those choices when needed. Researchers found that when they targeted GluN2B in certain brain regions, mice struggled with learning new choices or adapting to changes in what they preferred—specifically, the dorsal striatum was key for learning, while the prefrontal cortex was important for making those adjustments. This research helps us understand the brain mechanisms behind decision-making and adaptability, which could lead to better treatments for conditions where these processes are disrupted. Who this helps: This helps patients with decision-making issues, such as those with addiction or behavioral disorders.

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This study looked at mice that had a specific gene (GluA1) disabled to see if they showed behaviors similar to negative or cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. The findings revealed that these mice interacted less socially in new situations but interacted more in familiar settings, learned food-reward tasks faster but had difficulty stopping the behavior, and showed more impulsive choices compared to normal mice. This research is important because it helps scientists understand the links between the glutamate system and certain symptoms of schizophrenia, which could lead to better treatments. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and doctors focusing on schizophrenia and psychotic disorders.

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This research studied how stress affects brain function and emotional health, particularly looking at the neurotransmitter glutamate. The study found that stress in rats led to problems like poor memory and difficulty managing emotions, linked to changes in brain cells in vital areas like the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Understanding how stress impacts glutamate can help develop better treatments for people with mental health disorders. Who this helps: Patients dealing with neuropsychiatric disorders.

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This study looked at differences in how certain mouse strains respond to fear and stress to understand why some individuals develop anxiety disorders while others do not. Researchers found that the 129S1/SvImJ mouse strain showed greater fear responses and struggled to overcome fear compared to the more resilient C57BL/6J strain. Notably, treatment with fluoxetine, a common anxiety medication, helped the S1 mice reduce their fear responses. This research is important because it helps identify the biological factors that contribute to anxiety disorders, which can lead to better treatments for affected individuals. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with anxiety disorders and their doctors.

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This study looked at how stress affects brain functions related to decision-making and problem-solving, particularly looking at a specific brain receptor called the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Researchers found that stress disrupts these important cognitive functions, which can worsen various mental health disorders. Understanding the role of NMDAR may lead to new treatments to help improve brain function in people with these conditions. Who this helps: This helps patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.

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This study looked at how stress affects learning and decision-making in mice. The researchers found that when mice experienced moderate stress, their ability to adapt to changing choices improved, with success rates rising to over 70% after stress, compared to about 50% without stress. They also discovered that damage to a specific brain area called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex produced similar learning improvements, but this effect could be reversed by a substance called BDNF. Who this helps: This research helps patients with cognitive issues related to stress, such as those with anxiety or PTSD.

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This study looked at a new surgical method called single-port-access (SPA) cholecystectomy, which is a way to remove the gallbladder through just one small incision. The researchers reviewed data from the first 297 successful surgeries performed by 13 different surgeons and found that the average surgery took 71 minutes, patients generally stayed in the hospital for 1-2 days, and there were very few complications. This is important because it shows that SPA cholecystectomy can be done safely and has cosmetic benefits, like fewer scars, when compared to standard multi-port surgeries. Who this helps: This helps patients needing gallbladder surgery, as it offers a less invasive option.

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This study looked at how genetic differences in mice affect their responses to stress, specifically focusing on anxiety and depression. Researchers found that two mouse strains, DBA/2J and C57BL/6J, reacted differently when exposed to stress; DBA/2J mice showed increased anxiety-like behaviors and significant changes in gene activity linked to brain signaling, while the C57BL/6J mice did not. Understanding these differences is important because it highlights how genetic factors can influence mental health and stress responses, which may inform future treatments for stress-related conditions. Who this helps: This helps researchers and doctors working on mental health disorders.

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This study examined a special type of mouse that lacks a specific gene called GluA1 to see if they show behaviors similar to those seen in people with schizoaffective disorder, which includes both mood swings and symptoms like those of schizophrenia. The researchers found that these mice displayed behaviors such as increased activity in new situations and less immobility when placed in stressful conditions, indicating signs of mania. Treatment with lithium helped to reduce anxiety behaviors and calm down their excessive movement, suggesting that this mouse model could be useful for understanding and possibly treating schizoaffective disorder. Who this helps: This helps researchers and potentially doctors working with patients who have schizoaffective disorder.

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Researchers studied how mice with schizophrenia-like symptoms could learn and adapt their behaviors using a touchscreen system. They found that mice treated with a drug resembling PCP had difficulty learning new information after being trained, indicating problems with cognitive flexibility. This research is important because it helps create better models to understand cognitive issues in schizophrenia, which could lead to improved treatments. Who this helps: This benefits patients with schizophrenia and their doctors.

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This study looked at how changes in a specific gene, DLG4, in mice can affect behavior and brain function linked to autism and Williams' syndrome. Researchers found that mice lacking this gene showed more repetitive behaviors, social communication issues, and increased anxiety. Additionally, they found that certain variations in the human DLG4 gene were linked to brain differences seen in people with Williams' syndrome. Who this helps: This benefits patients with autism spectrum disorders and Williams' syndrome, as well as researchers and doctors studying these conditions.

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The research looked at how the University of New England has implemented interprofessional education, which allows students from different health-related fields to learn together. Over more than ten years, the Westbrook College of Health Professions launched various successful programs, including seminars and cultural immersion experiences, to encourage teamwork among future healthcare professionals. This matters because working together can improve how healthcare is delivered to patients, leading to better outcomes. Who this helps: Patients receive better care from teams of healthcare providers.

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This study examined how interprofessional education (IPE) prepares health students to work in teams, ultimately improving patient care. Researchers interviewed 10 leaders in the field to identify important themes that affect IPE, finding both challenges and successes in its implementation. The findings help institutions enhance their educational programs to ensure better collaboration among future healthcare providers, leading to better health outcomes for patients. Who this helps: Patients and healthcare professionals.

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The study examined how a drug called Ro 25-6981, which targets a specific part of brain receptors involved in learning, affected fear memory in young and older mice. The researchers found that while the drug made young adult mice (3 months old) worse at learning fear responses, it did not have this effect on older mice (12 months old). This finding is important because it helps us understand how age influences learning and memory, which could have implications for treating memory-related disorders. Who this helps: This helps researchers and doctors working on treatments for memory issues in older patients and those with neuropsychiatric disorders.

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In this study, researchers looked at a specific nerve cell in medicinal leeches that triggers swimming and found that it could also activate crawling. They discovered that the type of movement (swimming or crawling) is influenced by the way the nerve cell is stimulated. On average, when the leech crawled, there's more nerve activity than when it swam. Who this helps: This research benefits scientists studying nerve functions and may aid in understanding motor behavior in other animals.