Student research discussed at Brain Awareness Week

Erin Hillard

The Central Neuroscience Society hosted Brain Awareness Week, with discussions and tours of the lab and Brain Research And Integrative Neuroscience Center (B.R.A.I.N. Center) on March 18 through March 21.
The week was a chance for both graduate and undergraduate students to talk about their current research in the study of neuroscience.
Much of the research talks centered around treatments for Huntington’s Disease, a genetic mutation that eventually leads to a lack of muscle movement.
According to Nicholas Dey, a graduate student at CMU, much of the current research on Huntington’s Disease needs to be researched further.
“Many of the techniques scientists are working on now are invasive surgeries,” Dey said.
He said more research needs to be done on the other possible effects of treatments that are currently being tested.
On Thursday, Mary Heng, a graduate student from University of Michigan, came to give a presentation on the usefulness of mice in Huntington’s Disease research.
“We’re very pleased that Mary Heng could be here to join us this week,” said Gary Dunbar, Central Neuroscience Society advisor.
Heng said that for ethical reasons, mice were the preferred choice in research.
“The mouse models are very powerful to use in pharmacology and real-life situations,” Heng said.
She said the mouse models have provided researchers with a lot of insight, but have not yet been transferred to human models.
Heng also gave a presentation on Friday, March 21, about the more technical aspects of her research. Her presentation was followed by a discussion on ways in which virtual reality could be useful in the laboratory.

Edited by: Mariah Richards and John Morelli