Introduction: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the standard care for large vessel occlusions (LVO). However, its use in medium vessel occlusions (MeVOs) is still being studied as it’s not yet considered first-line treatment. While existing research supports EVT for MeVOs, many studies treat MeVOs as a broad category, overlooking differences in clinical outcomes. This literature review focuses on EVT outcomes for left-sided M2 segment MeVO strokes, a less-studied subgroup of acute ischemic stroke research. Methods A focused literature search was conducted using PubMed and AHA Journals. Search terms included “medium vessel occlusions (MeVO),” “acute ischemic stroke,” “stroke onset,” “thrombectomy,” and “left.” Filters limited results to clinical studies and meta-analyses from the past ten years. Additional articles were sourced through manual review of reference lists. Case reports were excluded. Results Out of 53 articles screened, 15 met the inclusion criteria. The findings support EVT as a generally safe and effective treatment for MeVOs. Several studies noted that left M2 occlusions may lead to worse language and cognitive outcomes, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention. Differences in symptoms between left- and right-sided strokes highlight the need to consider anatomical location in treatment planning. Conclusion: This project highlights the need for more targeted research on EVT use in MeVOs for treatment guidelines to account for anatomical location.

Microglia are dynamic cells that survey the CNS environment and whose dysregulation can contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders. Altering their metabolism and lysosomal function influences their activity, suggesting that mitochondria and lysosomes serve as signaling hubs during aging and Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, little is known about how these organelles are altered in microglia during these contexts. Here we utilize novel transgenic crosses and imaging-based approaches to profile microglial mitochondria and lysosomes during aging and in a PD model. Previous confocal microscopy analysis revealed changes in microglial mitochondrial number and shape and increases in lysosomal volume in 12-13 month (mo) and 16-18mo mice compared to 2-3mo mice in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), where microglia show distinct cellular phenotypes and aging profiles. To investigate PD, we injected alpha-synuclein fibrils (PFF) into the striatum and cortex of 12-13mo transgenic mice with EGFP-labeled microglial mitochondria and analyzed VTA and substantia nigra (SNc) microglia 16-weeks post injection. ImageJ analysis revealed that mitochondrial number is elevated in both the VTA and SNc of PFF treated mice compared to saline controls. Normalized CD68 area and number exhibited potential increases in the SNc of PFF treated mice and increased variability in both regions compared to controls. Together, our results highlight potential changes in microglial mitochondria and lysosomes in response to aging and PD.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, is marked by atypical sensory processing that may impair cognition and learning. Individuals with FXS focus on visual details and struggle to integrate the whole picture, suggesting altered processing. However, the circuit-level mechanisms are unclear. Using two-photon calcium imaging in layer 2/3 of the primary visual cortex (V1) in head-fixed mice, we found that FXS mice had larger receptive fields than wild-type (WT) mice, with stronger neuronal responses to larger stimuli as shown in size tuning curves. We then investigated whether these specific circuit deficits relate to documented perceptual challenges in FXS. Compared to WT mice, we hypothesize that Fm1KO mice will exhibit impaired visual discrimination and learning based on stimulus size. To test this, we trained mice to associate the direction of full-screen drifting sinusoidal gratings (left or right) with the correct lick port for a water reward. The final task involves discriminating between circular patches of varying sizes to assess correlations with receptive field and size tuning differences. Throughout 32 sessions, WT mice made fewer errors, gradually completed the task more quickly, and required only three sessions to learn how to initiate the task. These same protocols will apply to FXS mice. Understanding these mechanisms could inform targeted therapies to improve sensory processing and cognitive function in individuals with FXS, thus enhancing their quality of life.

Drosophila melanogaster larvae are a powerful model for studying neural function due to their fully mapped nervous system, genetic tractability, and compatibility with in vivo imaging using genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs). However, motion artifacts remain a major obstacle to high-resolution imaging, particularly when monitoring dynamic neural activity over extended periods. Here, we present a novel multi-modal immobilization technique that combines cold anesthesia, diethyl ether exposure, and hydrogel-based mechanical restraint to achieve stable, long-term immobilization of Drosophila larvae suitable for calcium imaging. Using second-instar larvae expressing the pan-neuronal calcium indicator GCaMP8f, we demonstrate that our method enables high-quality vivo fluorescence imaging of brain activity for up to 1 hour post-preparation, with minimal residual motion if any and often no need for post-hoc motion correction. Compared to existing techniques—which often require complex microfluidic devices, are limited by short immobilization windows, or risk physiological disruption—our method offers a reliable, accessible, and physiologically compatible alternative.

Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder affecting 24 million individuals globally. Although the DSM does not identify impaired cognition as a characteristic symptom of schizophrenia, cognitive deficits are prevalent and persistent among affected individuals, though their impact on daily functioning remains largely unexplored. These challenges are especially pronounced in veteran populations, who experience higher rates of schizophrenia and related cognitive impairments due to factors such as trauma, stress, and comorbid conditions. This study aimed to examine the relationship between schizophrenia, cognition, and real-world functioning in a sample of 127 American veterans. Individuals with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 72) were compared with clinically stable controls (n = 54). The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) assessed patterns of cognitive impairment, particularly in processing, memory, and social cognition. The Role Functioning Scale (RFS) assessed real-world functioning in work, independent living, and social relationships. The Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS) assessed negative symptoms relating to motivation and pleasure. Analyses explored the correlation between clinical status and cognitive performance, and the association between negative symptom severity and functional outcomes. This study also sought to identify cognitive predictors of real-world functioning in veterans with schizophrenia, with the goal of informing targeted intervention strategies.