Neuroscience and Cognition

Emily Holder, emily.holder@my.utsa.edu
The University of Texas San Antonio, with Dr. Lindsey J. Macpherson

Investigating TNF as a Mediator of Synaptic Formation in the Taste System
The Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and its receptor, TNFRI, belong to a pro-inflammatory cytokine family with diverse roles in immunity and tissue regulations. Beyond inflammatory functions, TNF signaling has been implicated in the regulation of axonal branching. In the taste system, both TNF and TNFRI are expressed within the taste bud under homeostatic conditions, and are upregulated during inflammatory related taste loss. However, their role in regulating synaptic connectivity remains unclear. Given the influence on axonal branching, we hypothesize that TNF/TNFR1 signaling may contribute to the accumulation of presynaptic sites within taste receptor cells. To better understand the effect of TNF/TNFRI on synaptic architecture, we utilized TNF- and TNFRI-knockout mouse models. Utilizing immunohistochemistry, we found that TNFRI knockout mice have increased innervation and decreased presynaptic sites. This data suggests that TNFRI plays a role in the regulation of presynaptic site accumulation and nerve fiber innervation.
 

Garett Knight, gdknight@shockers.wichita.edu
Wichita State University, with Dr. Mythili Menon, Dr. Erin O’Bryan, Dr. Courtney Long

From Sound to Synapses:  Music’s Impact on Psychological States & Emotional Intelligence through Mental Imagery 
Music has long been recognized as a powerful medium capable of evoking profound psychological and emotional responses. Over the past few decades, research has increasingly focused on understanding how music influences psychological states, emotional intelligence, and the mind’s ability to create vivid mental imagery. This review explores three key themes: music’s impact on psychological states, its role in shaping emotional intelligence, and its ability to create scenes in the mind’s eye. By synthesizing findings from seminal works and recent experimental research, this review aims to highlight the interconnectedness of music, emotion, and cognition, while identifying gaps for future research.
 

Marissa Martinez, c835794471@colostate.edu
Colorado State University Pueblo, with Dr. David Volk 

Perception of Dissonance 
How are abstract emotions portrayed in music? Although intervallic perception has evolved across genres and eras, the minor second consistently indicates emotional turmoil. In Hildegard von Bingen’s Ordo Virtutum (1151), Arnold Schoenberg’s “Der Kranke Mond” (1912), and Lifelover’s “Mental Central Dialog” (2008), themes of agony are illustrated using the minor second, and other types of dissonance (intervallic, vocal, and distortion). Using the musical pieces above, this presentation analyzes dissonance beyond its harmonic function or lack thereof.