1 2322-1887 Shefa Neuroscience Research Center 939 Cognitive Neuroscience The Effect of Manipulation of Neural Activity of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Cognitive Flexibility Deficit Rezanejad Asl Amin b Issazadegan Ali c Mikaeli Manei Farzaneh d b Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran c Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran d Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran 1 6 2016 4 2 1 10 29 06 2016 29 06 2016 Introduction: Deficit in cognitive flexibility has been observed in several mental and brain disorders. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is the most important brain region involved in cognitive flexibility related tasks. Using a computer model of neuronal stimulation, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of manipulating neural activity in this brain region on cognitive flexibility. Materials and Methods: A computer simulation approach was used. Simulation was in the context of Leabra cognitive architecture and by using PBWM model was implemented. Results: This study shows that increasing neural activity in the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex linearly decreased cognitive flexibility. In addition, reduction of neural activity in this region of the brain decreased cognitive flexibility in a larger extent. Conclusion: These data indicate that hypo- or hyperactivity of inhibitory interneurons in the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex can cause deficit in cognitive flexibility. Manipulation of neural activity in this region can distinguish two subgroups of patients with impaired cognitive flexibility.
934 Cognitive Neuroscience The Effect of Exercise Training on Serum Level of β-Estradiol, Testosterone, and Cognitive Deficit in Rats with Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rafiei Samaneh e Edalatmanesh Mohammad Amin f e Department of Exercise Physiology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran f Department of Physiology, College of Sciences, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran 1 6 2016 4 2 11 18 25 06 2016 25 06 2016 Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder with unclear etiology, which characterized by ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism. We investigated the possible influence of exercise training on the serum level of β-estradiol and testosterone as well as on cognitive functions in rat model of PCOS. Materials and Methods: To induce PCOS, 30 virgin female Sprague dawley rats received letrozole continuously (1mg/kg/d). After 28 day of letrozole intra- peritoneal injection, rats were randomly divided into the PCOS and PCOS+exercise groups and compared with healthy controls. In PCOS+exercise group, the exercise program was to 20 minutes daily swimming for four weeks.  After four weeks, we evaluated spatial memory by Morris water maze test in all groups. Then, the serum level of free testosterone and β-estradiol was measured using ELISA. Results: The findings indicated an increase of serum level of testosterone and β-estradiol with spatial memory deficits in PCOS rats. However, exercise training significantly reduced the serum level of both hormones and improved cognitive function in PCOS+exercise rats. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that short-term exercise training can ameliorate the cognitive deficit and decrease the serum level of testosterone and β-estradiol in PCOS model. The exercise training can be the basic therapeutic means for cognitive aspect of PCOS. 936 Psycology A Comparison of Theory of Mind and Empathy in Male and Female Students at University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Tehran Soltani Azemat Ebrahim g Mohammadian Abolfazl h Kamie Maryam i Jebreeili Maryam j Doolatshahi Behrooz k g Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran h Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran i Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran j Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran k Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran 1 6 2016 4 2 19 26 25 06 2016 25 06 2016 Introduction: Empathy and theory of mind, capacities that are essential for human communication, are abilities which highly correlated to each other. Several studies have shown that women outperform men regarding empathy. However, using theory of mind did not confirm these results. The aim of the present study was to compare theory of mind and empathy in male and female students at University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Tehran. Materials and Methods: The research was a descriptive-comparative study. One hundred undergraduate students, 50 males and 50 females (due to the population size by using the Cochran formula), from different rehabilitation majors took part in this study. They were selected by non-probability quota sampling. Davis empathy questionnaire and Baron Cohen Eyes Test were used for this evaluation. Results: The findings showed that women outperformed men significantly with regard to empathy test scores. However, there was not a statistically significant difference between men and women in theory of mind test scores. Conclusion: One possible reason for different findings between two methods used in this study may be the self-report nature of sympathy questionnaire. Women are expected to be more empathic in society and this can affect their responses. Theory of mind test emphasizes on more complex mind states and examines empathy in an indirect way could be a more reliable test. 935 Basic research in Neuroscience Effect of Vitamin C on Serum Concentration of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor among Healthy Inactive Young Men Nazari Hossein l Heydarpoor Sajad m Mohamadi Mofrad Abuzar n Nazari Yazgaldi o Nazari Araz p l Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Mazandaran, Iran m Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Science and Research Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad, Iran n Department of Sport Physiology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran o Department of Sport Physiology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran p Higher Educational Complex of Saravan, Saravan, Iran 1 6 2016 4 2 27 32 25 06 2016 25 06 2016 Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of consuming vitamin C on the serum level of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) among healthy inactive young men. Materials and Methods: In this semi-empirical study, 18 healthy inactive men were randomly divided into two groups; a group consuming vitamin C as a supplement and a control group. Subjects in consuming vitamin C group received 500 milligrams of vitamin C supplement daily for one week. The control group consumed placebo. Blood samples of participants were taken in fasting mode to measure BDNF concentration. BDNF was measured by ELISA method. Results: The serum levels of BDNF significantly increased one week after receiving vitamin C compared to the control group. In addition, the level of BDNF in subjects received vitamin C for one week significantly increased compared to the beginning of the investigation. Conclusion: Data indicate that consuming vitamin C increased the serum concentration of BDNF in healthy inactive men. 940 Neurophysiology Burst Firing of the Ventral Tegmental Area Neurons through Bicuculline-Induced GABA-A Receptor Blockade Tale Fereshteh Ghaderi Pakdel Firouz Shahabi Parviz Naderi Somayyeh Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran a. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran b. Neurophysiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Danesh Pey Hadi Co, Urmia Health Technology Development Center, Research and Technology Vice Chancellor, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran 1 6 2016 4 2 33 46 09 07 2016 09 07 2016 Introduction: Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), as a major source of dopaminergic (DA) neurons, has crucial roles in the vital and pathologic conditions, such as drug dependence and depression. The receptors on the VTA-DA neurons with different density and diversity have modulatory effects on their target tissues, such as the cerebral cortex. The aim of the present study was to study the effect of GABA-A receptor blockade on the VTA-DA neuronal firing pattern. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (~200 gr) were randomly allocated in 8 groups with equal substitutive numbers (control, sham, and treatments). The VTA-DA neuronal firing patterns (simple-tonic or burst firing) were acquisitioned under urethane anesthesia and stereotaxic approach. Bicuculline as a GABA-A receptor antagonist were infused microiontophoretically intracerebroventricularly (5, 25, 50, 500, 1000, and 2500 ngr) and peri-injection neuronal firing were captured for burst firing detection. Results: The simple-tonic spiking of the VTA-DA neurons in the pre-injection period was about 5.78 spikes/sec overall with stable firing. Bicuculline microinjection dose-dependently modulated burst firing pattern. The abovementioned amounts of Bicuculline induced 5.2, 10.4, 23.4, 28.8, 35.9, 36.17 percent of neurons to fire burst with duration of 5.2, 8.7, 24.45, 29.87, 40.56, and 50.34 minutes, respectively. The post injection simple-tonic firing rates were also dose-dependently elevated from 8 to 358 percent of the pre-injection levels. Conclusion: The results showed that GABA-A receptors on the VTA-DA neurons can have regulatory roles on their firing patterns. The external GABAergic afferents or internal interneurons that mediate GABA modulation on the VTA-DA neurons can interfere in the efferent functions of the VTA-DA neurons. 941 Molecular Neurobiology Evaluation of the Neurotrophic Factors in Animal Model of Myelin Destruction Induced by Cuprizone in C57bl/6 Mice Shirazi Arefeh Golab Fereshteh Sanadgol Nima Barati Mahmood Mohammad Salehi Reza Vahabzadeh Gelareh Shadalui Zeinab Rezaei Zarchi Saeed Biology Department, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Molecular Microbiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Biology Department, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran 1 6 2016 4 2 47 54 09 07 2016 09 07 2016 Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with unknown etiology. Neurotrophins are polypeptides belonging to the neurotrophic factor family. Neurotrophins mediate cell survival and proliferation in the nervous system. In this study, we determined the production of various neurotrophins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in Cuprizone model of demyelination. Materials and Methods: In order to induce demyelination, animals were treated by Cuprizone. The mice were divided into three groups. The first group was treated by Cuprizone for 5 weeks. The second group was treated by Cuprizone for 5 weeks and normal diet for 1 week. The third (control) group received normal diet for 6 weeks. After the mice were sacrificed, cerebral corpus callosum was removed and evaluated for expression of neurotrophic factors by real time PCR and histological evaluation. Results: After five weeks, we detected a significant increase of BDNF and GDNF compared to the control group. No changes were observed in CNTF expression. After six weeks, expression of BDNF and GDNF were decreased but they had still higher levels compared to control group. Conclusion: This study suggests that neurotrophins may play a role in pathogenesis of MS. 946 Basic research in Neuroscience Effects of a Self-Assembling Peptide Nanofiber Containing Laminin Motif on Survival and Proliferation of Embryonic Rat Neural Stem Cells Khaksar Zabihollah Sahab Negah Sajad Mohammad Sadeghi Shahin istology Group, Basic Science Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran istology Group, Basic Science Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran a. Plastic Surgery Department, Medical Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran b. Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran 1 6 2016 4 2 55 64 18 07 2016 18 07 2016 Introduction: Recent studies have shown the key roles of different sequences and motifs in the extracellular matrix guidance. Biological activities of the macromolecules can be mimicked by the motifs of extracellular matrix. Laminin peptide sequences and motifs can bind the biomaterials of scaffolds, improve the cells mechanical protection, increase the cells growth, and lead to the formation of tissues. Materials and Methods: Neural stem cells (NSCs) were isolated from embryonic ganglionic eminences of 14 days rats and cultured as neurosphere. The number and diameter of neurospheres on days 3, 7, and 10 were measured. NSCs were cultured by two-dimensional (2D) and 3D cultures. To evaluate cell survival, Live/Dead kit was used on days 1 and 7. The cell proliferation was assessed using the MTS assay on days 1 and 7. Results: Our finding showed that the cells isolated from ganglionic eminences have a high proliferative capacity. According to the proliferation assay measurements, the number and diameter of neurosphere significantly increased after culturing for 10 days. Cell proliferation and survival in the self-assembling peptide nanofiber containing laminin motif (SAPN-LM) were significantly higher than that of 2D. Conclusion: SAPN-LM improved cell proliferation and survival and suggest an appropriate models for further investigations. 947 Neurophysiology An Introduction to Neurotechnologies, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Their Applications in the Cognitive Enhancement and Rehabilitation Eslamizade Mohammad Javad Behbahanian Shahram Mahdavi Mohammad Oftadehal Mohsen a. Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran b. Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Institute Boulevard, Pardis City, Tehran, Iran Department of Medical Physics, Malek-Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Institute Boulevard, Pardis City, Tehran, Iran 1 6 2016 4 2 65 86 18 07 2016 18 07 2016 Introduction: Non-invasive brain stimulation technologies are a group of powerful tools that are exploited in manipulating functional properties of the brain. These technologies have a relatively long history in cognitive enhancement and rehabilitation, as well as in treating stress and depression. Of these technologies are transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). TMS technology works with producing magnetic fields emitted from a coil over the scalp to induce ion currents; however, in tDCS there is a direct connection of electrodes on the skin over the scalp to inject electrical currents yielding modulation in neural circuits. Conclusion: In this review, we reviewed over the literature concerning applications of neurotechnologies, TMS and tDCS, in cognitive enhancement and rehabilitation. 924 Neurology The Role of Stem Cell Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease Alipour Fatemeh Borhani Haghighi Maryam Pasand Mojdeh Hoda Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran a. Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran b. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 1 6 2016 4 2 87 97 02 06 2016 02 06 2016 Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most ordinary reason of dementia in old population. AD is a permanent and progressive brain disorder that gradually deteriorates memory and speaking skills, and eventually leads to disability to accomplish the effortless skills. In this disease, the brain cells are gradually destroyed and as a result, the patients suffer from amnesia. Definitive treatment for AD has not been found yet and enormous efforts have been made to find novel and effective therapies. The stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have a potential to differentiate into many different cell types. Several studies revealed that neurons and glial cells have successfully been differentiated from various stem cells, such as neural, embryonic, and mesenchymal stem cells. Cell therapy is a potential novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of AD. Conclusion: Successful stem cell therapy in animal models of AD points to a potential therapeutic approach in patients with AD.