"Many neuropathological alterations occur when one develops Alzheimer’s disease due to neurofibrillary degeneration. For my project, I decided to focus on the shrinkage that occurs to the hippocampus, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the posterior cingulate. The hippocampus seemed the most important to exhibit the damage of as this area is largely responsible for the loss of memory that Alzheimer patients experience, which is one of the most defining factors of the disease. The hippocampus’s major function is to relay explicit memories to cortical areas for long-term consolidation. With a serious lack of synapses being formed in the hippocampus, explicit memories cannot be stored (Reddy & Beal, 2008). This thus explains why there exist major anterograde and retrograde deficits in explicit memory with this disease. The orbitofrontal cortex was also important to shrink as it helps explain why patients express agitation, depression, and apathy; understanding of the physiological components (in this case, the hypometabolism of this area), may lead to better coping abilities in loved ones (Cummings 2000). Lastly, the posterior cingulate was focused on because hypometabolism to this area is the first significant
physiological event in the evolution of Alzheimer’s (Nestor, Fryer, Smielewski, & Hodges, 2003). In other words, it is one of the first physiological signs of the disease. Overall, this project allowed me to make a connection between the cognitive aspects of Alzheimer’s disease in correlation to specific physiological alterations of the brain, which has allowed me to have a
deeper understanding of the disease itself. I plan to apply the 3D modeling in my next project, which will be my thesis on neurological affects of prenatal stress in multiple generations of mice. The model can both be used with my presentation of my thesis my senior year to physically show my findings rather than just explaining by word of mouth, but also as a way for me to more thoroughly understand exactly what is happening."
-Lei'a Brookhouser, Fall 2019
physiological event in the evolution of Alzheimer’s (Nestor, Fryer, Smielewski, & Hodges, 2003). In other words, it is one of the first physiological signs of the disease. Overall, this project allowed me to make a connection between the cognitive aspects of Alzheimer’s disease in correlation to specific physiological alterations of the brain, which has allowed me to have a
deeper understanding of the disease itself. I plan to apply the 3D modeling in my next project, which will be my thesis on neurological affects of prenatal stress in multiple generations of mice. The model can both be used with my presentation of my thesis my senior year to physically show my findings rather than just explaining by word of mouth, but also as a way for me to more thoroughly understand exactly what is happening."
-Lei'a Brookhouser, Fall 2019
"My project focuses on pathological gambling (PG). This is a mental disorder in which a person continues to gamble regardless of any negative consequences. This often impacts not only their lives but also those around them. The areas of the brain that are associated with this mental disorder include the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the mesolimbic system. There is less activity in the vmPFC in pathological gamblers which impact their ability to make decisions and assess risks. There is also less activity in the mesolimbic system which is associated with the ability to feel reward. These areas are shown in black to indicate low activity while other areas are multicolored. This project showed me the importance of 3-D technology and its ability to allow people to see the brain. Often times people can be mistaken by the idea that mental disorders aren’t real, or they have no biological background. However, this project and the use of 3-D technology allows us to throw away those misconceptions and hopefully raise awareness not only to pathological gambling but other mental disorders. I plan to use this technology whenever available to learn about the human body and its intricate structures."
-Jason Banuelos, Fall 2019
-Jason Banuelos, Fall 2019
"For this project I decided to investigate Alzheimer’s disease the effects it had on the brain. I chose this topic because this disease is fascinating to me. Through all my undergraduate courses of biology and psychology, I learn something new about the disease and the various research being done to help investigate ways to alleviate the symptoms or create better lifestyles for those with the disease. From the research I did for this assignment, the two areas involved were the cortex and the thalamus. The cortical volume shrinks about 10-30% with patients who develop Alzheimer’s. The thalamus is also
known to also reduce in size at about 27%. This is presented in the my 3D model. I had faced many challenges with this experience, but it was all a learning process. I learned how to use 3D software and more about research that is currently being done on Alzheimer’s. In the future, I do plan on using 3D software due to the better visualization. I plan on going into the health care field and after creating a 3D print of my own, I feel like I am more able to visualize the different concepts of what I am learning (that could be the brain or the heart)."
-Nisi Jara-Aguirre, Fall 2019
known to also reduce in size at about 27%. This is presented in the my 3D model. I had faced many challenges with this experience, but it was all a learning process. I learned how to use 3D software and more about research that is currently being done on Alzheimer’s. In the future, I do plan on using 3D software due to the better visualization. I plan on going into the health care field and after creating a 3D print of my own, I feel like I am more able to visualize the different concepts of what I am learning (that could be the brain or the heart)."
-Nisi Jara-Aguirre, Fall 2019
"For my honor’s project, I decided to focus on Phantom Limb Disorder. My brain model represents an amputation to the right hand, where the Primary Somatosensory Cortex is in the process of reorganization. While the right hemisphere of my model shows the regular distribution of the PSSC, the left side is different. The Face Area is overtaking the Hand and Arm areas, which can explain how some individuals experience displaced phantom limb pain during reorganization of the PSSC. When we learned about Phantom Limb Pain during lecture, I was very interested in how the brain could reorganize and reuse an area when unfortunate events like amputations occur. This project allowed me to research a topic that caught my interest, as well as understand its structural irregularities better. By having the model in front of me, as opposed to looking at pictures through a computer screen, I think now I’m able to understand why the brain would want to reorganize an area for an amputated limb. Structurally, it makes sense. As of right now, I don’t really have a plan for my model apart from keeping it on my desk and admiring it in the future. However, I am very thankful for the opportunity to 3-D print something, since I never thought I would be able to do it and using the software to depict psychological conditions never crossed my mind."
-Lizbeth Meneses, Fall 2019
-Lizbeth Meneses, Fall 2019
"The condition I chose to model was Schizophrenia. One thing I learned about this disease is that those afflicted can have up to 25% less gray matter in the frontal and temporal lobes than a healthy individual; a fact I tried to display in my project. There was a learning curve to using the 3D software and adjusting sizes with an x, y, and z-plane. But it was fun learning how to use the software in case I need it for the future, which with the way 3D printing is going, is more than likely. Overall, this was a very fascinating project and I’m happy with the way it turned out!"
-Cassie Krob, Spring 2019
-Cassie Krob, Spring 2019
Limbic system + ventral components of MTL
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Color-coded cranial nerves + brain stem, cerebellum, & diencephalon
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