CTSI seminar explores the effects of gestational iron deficiency on brain development

Margot Mayer-Proschel, PhD will present “Non-anemic gestational iron deficiency disrupts brain development: Risk factor for psychiatric disorders?” at the Tuesday, November 5th session of the CTSI Seminar Series. Dr. Mayer-Proschel summarizes the seminar:

Using a murine model we show that gestational iron deficiency (ID) impairs specific cellular populations in the fetal brain at the level of specification and/or migration. We provide evidence of the mechanisms by which ID leads to these quite specific impairments and discuss the consequences of these impairments on the development of cognitive function.

The theme of the Fall CTSI Seminar Series is “From Test Tube to Table: Understanding the Evolving Science of Nutrition Research.” The series takes place on Tuesdays from 12:15-1:15 pm in the Helen Wood Hall Auditorium. You can access the full schedule here. Lunch is provided. Please provide your own beverage. The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CTSI seminar explores electronic healthy lifestyle interventions for pregnant and postpartum women

Diana Fernandez, MD, MPH, PhD and Susan Groth, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FAANP will be presenting a lecture on “e-Moms Roc:  A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Using Electronic Media” for the Tuesday, October 29th session of the CTSI Seminar Series.  The study focuses on bridging the gap between pregnancy-related weight gain and weight management in women of childbearing age. Dr. Fernandez summarizes the seminar:

The influence of childbearing in the development of obesity is situated within two different but related contexts:  one is pregnancy-related weight gain and the other larger context is weight gain prevention and control in young adult women.  E-Moms, a study that designed and is testing electronically-mediated interventions to slow the accumulation of weight in childbearing women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, fits in the intersection between these two contexts.  A sample of approximately 1700 socio-economically and racially/ethnically diverse women delivering in the 4 major hospitals in Monroe County were randomized to two electronically-mediated behavioral interventions and one control arm.  The study is now in the postpartum phase. We will present an overview of the study design and intervention and discuss the opportunities and challenges of conducting population-based research using electronic media.

The theme of the Fall CTSI Seminar Series is “From Test Tube to Table: Understanding the Evolving Science of Nutrition Research.” The series takes place on Tuesdays from 12:15-1:15 pm in the Helen Wood Hall Auditorium. You can access the full schedule here. Lunch is provided. Please provide your own beverage. The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CTSI seminar explores endocrine disruptors’ effect on prenatal and postnatal development

Shaw-Ree Chen, PhD will be presenting a lecture on “Dietary Exposures to Endocrine Disruptors in Low Income Pregnancies” for the Tuesday, October 8th session of the CTSI Seminar Series. Dr. Chen summarizes the seminar:

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.  These chemicals are found in products that we use every day. In fact, one of the major sources is food, so it’s not surprising that we all have detectable levels of EDCs in our bodies. Research shows that endocrine disruptors may pose the greatest risk during prenatal and early postnatal development when organ and neural systems are forming.  However, very little is known about the best ways of reducing our exposure to these ubiquitous chemicals and how information about EDCs can be provided to women, particularly during pregnancy, to reduce risks.

The theme of the Fall CTSI Seminar Series is “From Test Tube to Table: Understanding the Evolving Science of Nutrition Research.” The series takes place on Tuesdays from 12:15-1:15 pm in the Helen Wood Hall Auditorium. You can access the full schedule here. Lunch is provided. Please provide your own beverage. The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CTSI seminar looks at the potential beneficial effects of nutrients in fish

Edwin van Wijngaarden, PhD will be presenting a lecture on “Prenatal Methylmercury Exposure from Fish Consumption and Child Development: Findings from the Seychelles Child Development Study” for the Tuesday, September 24th session of the CTSI Seminar Series. Dr. van Wijngaarden summarizes his lecture below:

Fish is an important source of nutrition worldwide. Aside from being an important source of proteins, fish contain a variety of nutrients essential for normal brain development, in particular n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). Nevertheless, all fish also contain small amounts of methyl mercury (MeHg), a known neurotoxicant. For over two decades, the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) in a series of investigations has examined whether any risks are associated with MeHg exposure that would result from daily ocean fish consumption during pregnancy. For the last decade, the potential beneficial effects of nutrients in fish have also been investigated. I will describe the study design of the SCDS Main Cohort and Nutrition Cohorts, followed by a summary of research findings to date.

To read more about Dr. van Wijngaarden’s research on prenatal mercury and Autism Spectrum Disorder, click here.

The theme of the Fall CTSI Seminar Series is “From Test Tube to Table: Understanding the Evolving Science of Nutrition Research.” The series takes place on Tuesdays from 12:15-1:15 pm in the Helen Wood Hall Auditorium. You can access the full schedule here. Lunch is provided, please provide your own beverage. The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.