Abstract Booklet MTB 2016

Abstract booklet
Mind the Brain symposium 2016

Sensitive Periods
May 10 & 11
Information about the abstract booklet

This booklet contains all the abstracts of the participating students. The abstracts are structured per day
and per session. By clicking on the underlined words you will be moved to the location of the
abstract(s). By clicking on a sessions name, you will be directed to that session, and by clicking on a
students name you will be directed to their abstract.
At the top of each page there is a button to go return to this overview page or the overview pages of
the day. At the end of this document there is also a list of all the participating students to make it easier
to look up the abstract of a specific student.
Overview
Tuesday May 10th
Time
08:45-09:15
09:15-09:30
09:30-10:30
10:30-11:30
11:30-13:00
13:00-14:00
14:00-15:00
15:00-16:00
16:00-17:00
17:00-17:15
17:15
Session
Registration
Welcome
Berna Grolu: Adolescence and the Social Brain
Development (Oral Presentation)
Stress, Fear, and Connections (Poster Presentation)
James Fawcett: Reactivating plasticity as a treatment for nervous system damage
Neurology (Oral Presentation)
Development (Poster Presentation)
Social Neuroscience (Oral Presentation)
Best speaker and poster of the day awards
Closure
Wednesday May 11th

Time
08:45-09:15
09:15-09:30
09:30-10:30
10:30-11:30
11:30-13:00
13:00-14:00
14:00-15:00
15:00-16:00
16:00-16:15
16:15
16:15-17:30
Session
Registration
Welcome
Neurology (Oral Presentation)
Psychiatry (Oral Presentation)
Neurology and Perception (Poster Presentation)
Reward systems (Oral Presentation)
Psychiatry and Rewards Systems (Poster Presentation)
Takao Hensch: Unlocking the power of the infant brain
Best speaker and poster of the day awards
Closure
Drinks
Oral Presentations Tuesday May 10th

Back to Overview
Session 1: Development 10:30 - 11:30

Valeria Bonapersona Mineralocorticoid receptor function and early life stress: mapping HPA axis
reactivity
Nina van Bruggen Structural magnetic resonance imaging in very low birth weight and preterm
born adults
Lianne Hulshof Abstract not made available online
Wouter Beenker Abstract not made available online
Session 2: Neurology 14:00 - 15:00

Dirk Jan Ardesch An experimental rat model for MRI-compatible transcranial direct current
stimulation
Albena Vassileva Cortico-cortical evoked potential mapping of critical language cortex
Danille Bruel Encoding of perceived speech intensity in the brain using fast fMRI
Joran Schulte Abstract not made available online
Session 3: Social neuroscience 16:00 - 17:00

Jutta de Jong Abstract not made available online
Julia Boere Is fear recognition ability related to social cognition in children with ASD and
intellectual disabilities?
Despina Demenega Involuntary attention mechanisms & novel sound processing during social and
non-social interaction in children
Beorn Nijenhuis How many ways to Rome? Physical accuracy and the quality and sound of
music
Poster presentations Tuesday May 10th

Back to Overview
Session 1: Stress, fear, and connections 11:30 - 13:00

Sanne Beerens
Renate de Bock
Nienke van Bueren
Maud Buseman
Luis Csedas
Cosette Cornelis
Lotte Herstel
Roel van Hooijdonk
Eline Kraaijenvanger
Igor Lusin
Louise Martens
Hester Meeusen
Michle Olsthoorn
Danil Puntman
Lisa Scheefhals
Hannah Spencer
Maxime Verwoert
David de Wied
The role of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in discrimination between two distinct fear

memories
Abstract not made available online
Brain processes activated during pleasant affective touch and empathy in relation to pain
endurances
From a maltreated child to a maltreating parent: testing a neuroendocrine mechanism
Dynamics of human fear response depending on threat imminence
Kiva microfinance requests with "purpose" decrease stress responses and result in
increased investments
The effect of soluble amyloid-beta (A) on synaptic inhibition
The relation between affective touch and pupil size: a pilot study
Getting together; how epigenetics and family history predict sensitive caregiving behavior
Proactive & reactive aggression: differences in coalescence of physiological, behavioral and
subjective measures
Oxytocin and dopamine interactions in humans Insights into vulnerability to and recovery
from drug addiction
The development of behaviour in male mice after early life stress; the mineralocorticoid
receptor
The effects of the circadian rhythm on LTP in the basolateral amygdala and hippocampus
Acute stress: Influences of corticosterone receptors on synaptic plasticity
Dissecting the role of actin in inhibitory bouton dynamics
Differences in electrophysiological and behavioral responses to ingroup and outgroup
childrens faces
The runner's high, anxiolysis and endocannabinoids
The anxiolytic and cognitive effects of L-theanine
Session 2: Development 15:00 - 16:00

Jessy van Asperen
Annemiek van Berkel
Elias Brandorff
Julia Broekhuizen
Viktoriia Chubar
Emma Everaert
Robin Goudeketting
Kayla Green
Morphology and maturation of human astrocytes in a novel 3D organoid co-culture system

New insights in axonal maturation of human CNS neurons: A proteomics analysis
The ARHGAP gene family and neocortical development
Localization of CREB1 intronic transcript in the female zebra finch brain
Marc van den Heerik
The Virtual Supermarket a study on virtual reality in cognitive rehabilitation for children
Klara Jansen
Femke van Kalken
Kim Kijk in de Vegt
Petra van Soldt
Kirsten Sparnaaij
Stefanie Trinh
Julian Vlasblom

A controlled study on bilingual advantage in one bidialectal group and four bilingual groups
Development of astrocyte-like glia in Drosophila Melanogaster, sifting their genome
The adolescent paradox: unravelling adolescent risk and resilience to alcohol use disorders

Immaturity at birth has limited impact on cortical development in extremely preterm infants

Effects of early life stress on memory and pattern separation; what role plays epigenetics?
Mineralocorticoid receptor expression differentially affects mice behavior after early life
stress
Starvation-induced effects on cell proliferation in activity-based anorexia rats
Oral session 1 Tuesday May 10th:

Development 10:30 11:30
Back to Oral Presentations Tuesday May 10th
Back to Overview
Mineralocorticoid receptor function and early life stress: mapping HPA

axis reactivity
V. Bonapersona1, R. Damsteegt1, M. Jols1, R. A. Sarabdjitsingh1
1
Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: v.bonapersona@students.uu.nl
The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) plays a major role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
(HPA) axis. Recently, the interest in the MR has steadily increased due to its essential modulatory role in
appropriate behavioral and neural responses to acute stress, but also because the MR might act as a
genetic risk / resilience factor for psychopathology in humans. Exactly how MR can act as a genetic risk /
resilience factor is poorly understood. Here we use a brain-specific heterozygous MR knockout mouse
model and test the effect of an early life stress condition (limited nesting and bedding) on HPA
properties. This approach mimics the three hit hypothesis of vulnerability and resilience genetic
predisposition, early and later life environments of stress-related neuroendocrine and psychiatric
disorders. We expect MR heterozygous knockout and exposure to early life stress but especially the
combination of these factors to result in higher basal corticosterone levels and increased stress
reactivity when compared to control conditions. After validating the degree and function of MR reduction
in several brain areas with western blot and immunohistochemistry, we will investigate the effect of the
interaction between the heterozygous knockout model (1-hit) and early life stress condition (2-hit) by
mapping the HPA axis after 10 minutes restraint stress exposure (3-hit). Blood samples collected via a
tail nick are analyzed in a corticosterone radioimmunoassay, while central markers of the HPA axis are
evaluated in brain tissue by means of in situ hybridization and qPCR.
Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Very Low Birth Weight

and Preterm Born Adults
Nina van Bruggen1, Devon Shook1, Bob Oranje1, Sarah Durston1
1
NICHE lab, Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, The
Netherlands
Corresponding author: N.vanBruggen@umcutrecht.nl
In 1983, virtually all children who were born very preterm (VPT; 2232 weeks of gestation) and/or small
for gestational age (very low birth weight; VLBW; <1500 g) were included in a population-based study in
the Netherlands; the POPS-cohort (Project On Preterm and Small for gestational age infants). The third
trimester is known to contain various critical periods for (brain) development, which makes this
population of neonates that are born during this trimester vulnerable for various physical, physiological,
neurological, cognitive and behavioural abnormalities and deficits. Moreover, mortality rates are high. In
previous structural MRI studies consistent reductions were found in whole brain volume as well as
multiple grey and white matter areas such as the thalamus and corpus callosum. These reductions
correlated with shorter gestational age and lower IQ-, memory-, and language scores. Thirty-two
individuals from the POPS-cohort had a T1-weighted structural MRI scan at age 19 (2002-2003). These
scans will be analysed with both Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) and Freesurfer to investigate
structural brain abnormalities. The results will be correlated to cognitive data provided by researchers
from the POPS-cohort at various points in time. This study is distinct from previous studies, as it is part
of a large and controlled cohort study that provides a longitudinal set of data. This will provide us with a
more informative and reliable outcome that could solve any inconsistencies in past findings. The
outcome of this study might provide a more global understanding of changes related to extreme
prematurity in adulthood.
Oral session 1 Tuesday May 10th:

Back to Overview
L.A. Hulshof, L.M. Will, N. Jonkhout, and C. Hoogenraad
Department of Cell Biology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands Cell Biology, March 2016
Corresponding author: L.A.Hulshof@students.uu.nl
Wouter A.G. Beenker1, Suzanne Lemstra1, R. Jeroen Pasterkamp1

1
Department of Translational Neuroscience, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, The
Netherlands
Corresponding author: w.a.g.beenker@students.uu.nl
Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th

Stress, Fear, and Connections 11:30 13:00
Back to Poster Presentations Tuesday May 10th
Back to Overview
The role of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in discrimination between

two distinct fear memories
Sanne Beerens1, Patrick Davis1, Leon Reijmers1
1
Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

Corresponding author: s.beerens@students.uu.nl
Adapting behavior to dangerous situations is important for survival. In anxiety disorders and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), fear learning is aberrant or inappropriate, which can lead to
dangerous situations. The amygdala is not only critical in the formation and retrieval of both normal as
well as maladaptive fear memories, but also shown to be involved in fear extinction learning. This form
of learning involves repeated exposure to a former neutral stimulus in absence of the associated noxious
stimuli, which leads to a reduction in the physiological fear response. Previous research has shown that
inhibition of parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PV-cells) in the amygdala results in disinhibition of the
neurons activated during initial fear learning, and increased physiologic fear behavior in mice. Moreover,
chemogenetic stimulation of PV-cells during extinction increased the efficacy of learning, but did not
have an acute effect on fear behavior. However, the effect of activation of PV-cells was only tested on
one conditioned stimulus. Therefore, it is not known if this increase in extinction learning is stimulusspecific, or if it decreased fear response to other fear-conditioned stimuli as well. Hence, my research
focuses on the role of the PV-network in discrimination between two distinct fear memories. This will be
investigated by stimulation of PV-cells during extinction for one conditioned stimulus, and subsequent
measuring of the physical fear response to another fear-conditioned cue. If PV-cells modulate extinction
learning in a stimulus-specific manner, extinction learning to other stimuli should not be affected.
Renate de Bock1, Ivo Heitland1, Joke M.P. Baas1

1
Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Corresponding author: r.debock@students.uu.nl

Back to Overview
Brain processes activated during pleasant affective touch and empathy

in relation to pain endurances
Nienke van Bueren1, Isabell Meier1 Peter A. Bos1, Dennis Hofman1,
1
Department of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The
Netherlands.
Corresponding author: n.e.r.vanbueren@students.uu.nl
Touch that is regarded as pleasant plays an important role in bonding and communication. Previous
research stated that there are different neural networks for empathy for pleasant and unpleasant
touch. However, there is little consensus about the involved brain processes. The aim of the current
study is to compare the brain processes activated by empathy for pleasant affective touch with direct
pleasant affective touch and whether this activation is related to individual pain endurances. This is
done by stroking the left arm of 32 female participants with a soft brush and showing a video of the
same procedure during an EEG (electroencephalography). Subsequently, the pain threshold and
tolerance are measured with the TSA-II (NeuroSensory Analyzer).The main hypothesis of this study is
that the brain processes that are recruited during direct pleasant affective touch are also activated
during empathy for pleasant affective touch. It is further expected that individual pain endurances are
correlated with the degree of activation of the recruited brain processes during both empathy for
pleasant affective touch and direct pleasant affective touch. This research could contribute to a broader
knowledge about individual differences of the endurance of pain. Further research will include anodal
transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to investigate if activation of the involved brain processes
could enhance endurances of pain.
From a maltreated child to a maltreating parent: testing a

neuroendocrine mechanism
Maud M. Buseman1, Estrella R. Montoya1, Jack van Honk1, Peter A. Bos1
1
Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Corresponding author: m.m.buseman@students.uu.nl
Humans who were exposed to parental neglect or childhood trauma are known to have a higher chance
of becoming a maltreating parent themselves. Consequently, there is a negative cycle of non-optimal
parenting in which maltreated children become maltreating parents later in life. In animals, parental
neglect results in altered sensitivity of the oxytocin system; the endocrine system that is importantly
involved in parental bonding.
This study aims to test whether experienced parental neglect in humans might result in less optimal
neural parental responsiveness through decreased sensitivity of the oxytocin system. Participants are
selected on the basis of a childhood trauma questionnaire, in order to create a range from high to low
levels of experienced childhood trauma. Intranasal oxytocin administration is used together with fMRI
to assess neural parental responsiveness. Neural parental responsiveness is assessed with established
neuroimaging designs that tap into social reward, empathy and emotion regulation. In addition, a
newly developed context-dependent emotional learning paradigm assesses neural processing of facial
expressions of children associated with harsh or positive experienced parenting. The study follows a
within-subjects, placebo controlled, randomized design (n = 26), participants ranging from high to low
experienced childhood trauma will be exposed to placebo and oxytocin in a randomized fashion.

Back to Overview
Dynamics of human fear response depending on threat imminence

Luis Csedas1, David Terburg1
1

Corresponding author: l.casedasalcaide@students.uu.nl
Evolution has provided humans with a set of adaptive responses deployed when facing an oncoming
threat. From active avoidance to passive freeze, these defensive behaviors and their physiological
counterparts vary depending on the imminence of the danger, as well as on the availability or absence of
a potential escape option. The present study aims to assess the dynamics of several physiological and
behavioral parameters in response to a three-dimensional approaching virtual-predator. To this end,
heart rate, startle eye-blink as well as body sway and head movement data will be collected during the
presentation of the virtual menace on the Oculus Rift. The study bears the potential to shed new light on
how these different components shape the human fear response along the threat imminence continuum.
Kiva microfinance requests with "purpose" decrease stress responses

and result in increased investments
Cosette Cornelis1, Elizabeth T. Terris1, Mitchell J. Neubert 1, Matthew S. Wood 1, & Paul J. Zak1
1
Center for Neuroeconomics Studies, Claremont Graduate University.
People are bombarded with investment opportunities. Websites offering microfinance loans have become
an increasingly popular form of investment. However, it is unclear why some projects offered on sites
such as Kiva.com, Microplace.com, and Lendforpeace.org, meet funding goals while others do not.
Research on the effect of narratives suggests that physiological measures can predict charitable
behaviour. Hence in this study we studied the physiological and behavioural responses to microfinance
requests on Kiva.com, in order to understand why people invest in specific microfinance projects. We
hypothesized that people who viewed investment pitches that had a social purpose, would loan more
money compared to people who viewed individually focused pitches. Additionally, we hypothesized that
an increase in physiologic engagement while watching investment pitches would predict investment
decisions. Electrodermal activity (EDA) and cardiac activity (R-R interval, heart rate variability (HRV))
were monitored for 122 participants from the Claremont community, while they saw six edited microloan
requests from women in Africa. Half of the participants viewed social purpose loan requests (community,
village, women), while the other half was presented with self or family focused requests (me, myself, my
family). Our results show that investments with a social purpose receive more loans and are
physiologically more engaging than self-focused projects. Furthermore, being exposed to social purpose
pitches increased general donations to Kiva.com. Taken together these findings suggest ways in which
micro-entrepreneurs and mircolending sites can strive to be more effective.

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The effect of soluble amyloid-beta (A) on synaptic inhibition

Lotte J. Herstel1, Dennis L.H. Kruijssen1, Hai Yin Hu1 and Corette J. Wierenga1
1
Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: l.j.herstel@students.uu.nl
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimers disease (AD), characterized by a progressive
impairment of memory and cognition. In an early stage of the disease, epilepsy incidence has been
reported to be increased, making it a potential early indicator of AD. This early stage hyperexcitability
suggests a disturbed balance between excitation and inhibition. Increased network excitability could be
an indirect result of reduced inhibition, but the role of inhibitory synapses in early AD has not been
investigated in depth. It is believed that extracellular amyloid-beta oligomers contribute causally to the
pathogenesis of AD, independent of and prior to their deposition into amyloid plaques. The acute effect
of amyloid-beta on inhibitory synapses is currently unknown. To understand network changes caused by
amyloid-beta oligomers, it would be crucial to determine the alterations that occur in inhibitory
connectivity and plasticity. In this study, we investigate how inhibition is affected in organotypic
hippocampal slice cultures by synthetic amyloid-beta oligomers. We are using whole-cell patch clamp
recordings of excitatory CA1 pyramidal neurons to determine the effect of amyloid-beta on incoming
inhibitory synaptic activity. If reduced inhibition contributes to the previously reported amyloid-beta
induced hyperexcitability, we expect to find a reduction in frequency and/or amplitude of (miniature)
inhibitory postsynaptic currents upon addition of amyloid-beta oligomers. In the future we plan to study
morphological changes in inhibitory axons using two-photon microscopy in hippocampal slices of the
transgenic GAD65-GFP mouse, in which GABAergic cells are labeled with the fluorescent protein GFP.
The relation between affective touch and pupil size: a pilot study
Roel van Hooijdonk1, Sebastiaan Mathot1, Stefan van der Stigchel1, Chris Dijkerman1
1

Corresponding author: r.f.vanhooijdonk@students.uu.nl
Interpersonal touch is known to influence human communication and emotion. Affective touch is defined
as soft stroke on hairy skin with a velocity of 1-10cms-1. This type of touch activates specific lowthreshold unmyelinated mechanoreceptors, known as C-tactile afferents, which have been proposed to
play a unique role in processing the hedonic valence and emotion of touch. For different modalities,
hedonic processing has been associated with pupil dilation. However, it is currently unclear whether pupil
dilation can be caused by hedonic touch processing. The current study investigated how pupil size reacts
to both affective (3cms-1) and non-affective stroking (0.3 and 30cms-1) on the dorsal side of the right
hand. Pupil size data was obtained to investigate differences between stroking conditions. Additionally,
an adjusted version of the Touch Perception Task (TPT) was used to assess subjective touch
pleasantness ratings. Results revealed that stroking velocity had a significant effect on TPT-item scores,
showing higher positive and lower negative ratings for the affective touch compared to non-affective
touch, thereby replicating results of previous studies. Results revealed no specific pupil dilation for the
3cms-1 condition, instead a logarithmic relation was found between all conditions.

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Getting together; how epigenetics and family history predict sensitive

caregiving
Eline J. Kraaijenvanger1, Estrella R. Montoya, and P.A. Bos1
1
Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Corresponding authors: e.j.kraaijenvanger@students.uu.nl, p.a.bos@uu.nl
Sensitivity to social cues from infants faces and empathic response to these signals are considered to be
essential aspects of sensitive caregiving behavior, known to facilitate a healthy outcome of childrens
social-emotional development. However, what makes people more or less sensitive to social cues from
infants is still largely unknown. The current observational study aims to unravel the role of two critical
factors predicting such social sensitivity: exposure to (in)sensitive caregiving behavior during childhood
and functionality of the oxytocin receptor gene. To this means, 84 healthy, nulliparous females, recruited
from a large longitudinal cohort study on child-parent relationships, will be epigenetically screened on
methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene. Using electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography
(EMG), participants will be performing various behavioral experiments tailored to indicate both
physiological and behavioral aspects of sensitive caregiving, including reward-processing and empathy.
Also, self-reported questionnaires will be used to assess family history. With this correlational setup,
unique inside into the mechanisms underlying intergenerational caregiving behavior can be provided.
Proactive & reactive aggression: differences in coalescence of

physiological, behavioral and subjective measures
Igor Lusin1 & David Terburg1
1
Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Corresponding author: i.lusin@students.uu.nl
In aggression, a distinction is often made between proactive and reactive aggression. Within this topic,
many studies have been done using physiological, behavioral or subjective measures. However, less is
known about the coalescence of these measures in each type of aggression. In this study, we set out to
find different relationships within a proactive and reactive aggression group of participants. We used a
task in the form of a game, in which two participants per session were tested simultaneously and could
choose to supposedly block each others progress. The game successfully elicited aggression in all
participants. Results revealed clearly different relationships within each group. In the proactive group,
left frontal cortex dominance was related to trait aggression scores. In this group, we also found a
relationship between behavioral measures. In the reactive group, a relationship was found between
heart rate (variability) and anger. Our data show that proactive aggression is more associated with
behavioral expression of aggression and herein trait aggression is predicted by brain activity. In contrast,
reactive aggression is more associated with internal expression of aggression in the form of interrelated
physiological arousal and emotion. These findings expand on the understanding of aggression and offer
directions for future research.

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Oxytocin and dopamine interactions in humans Insights into

vulnerability to and recovery from drug addiction
Louise Martens1, Jack van Honk1,2
1
Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Corresponding author: l.n.martens@uu.nl
2
Individuals with a drug addiction often are socially impaired, and research in recent years has therefore
focused on a possible role for the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in drug addiction. OT is involved in social
approach and bonding behavior and interacts with the dopaminergic reward system in rodents. Rodent
studies indicate that OT is crucial in dampening of the DA response to drugs. Both human and rodent
research demonstrates reduced brain OT levels in offspring of an addicted mother, which may indicate a
less responsive OT system. Reduced OT levels may also decrease the saliency and reward associated
with social stimuli. This shift from for social reward and familiarity preference, to drug reward and
novelty preference, possibly explains the reduction of social play found in rats chronically selfadministrating drugs of abuse. OT administration in rats reduces drug reward, craving, withdrawal, and
relapse. Future research should investigate if social deficits are also reversed after OT administration. OT
may reverse neuroadaptations due to (exposure to) drug addiction via social support. Moreover, clinical
trials should be conducted to explore OT as a potential treatment for addiction in humans. As most
evidence for the effects of OT x DA interactions comes from rodent studies, a long-term cohort study of
healthy and at-risk parent-infant dyads is warranted to investigate the development of OT and DA
systems from early life until adulthood, and to disentangle the influence of interactions with other
systems and factors such as sex, social class, and early life experience of the mother.
Hester Meeusen1, A.M. Lotz1, Kim van Elst1, Femke S. den Boon1, Martien J.H. Kas1, Marian Jols1 &
Angela Sarabdjitsingh1
1
Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Corresponding author: h.meeusen@students.uu.nl

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The effects of the circadian rhythm on LTP in the basolateral amygdala

and hippocampus
Michle P.A. Olsthoorn1, Marie C. Agahozo1, Femke S. den Boon1, Henk Karst1, Marian Jols1
1
Department of Translational Neuroscience, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center of Utrecht, the
Netherlands
Corresponding authors: m.p.a.olsthoorn@uu.nl
The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis regulates the mammalian stress response and responds to
stressor inputs from the periphery and central nervous system through the release of the stress hormone
corticosterone (CORT) by the adrenals. Light input from the suprachiasmatic nucleus also affects the
secretion of CORT, giving rise to a circadian rhythm of CORT plasma levels. Low levels of CORT are
detected in animals at the start of the inactive phase, higher levels of CORT are seen in animals at the
start of the active phase. In this study we investigate the effects of the circadian rhythm on long-term
potentiation in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the hippocampus. The hippocampus is involved in
memory consolidation in general, whereas the BLA is known to specifically regulate memory
consolidation by emotionally salient stimuli. Long-term potentiation (LTP) in both brain regions is thought
to be the main cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. Preliminary whole-cell patch clamp
experiments show that animals decapitated at the start of the active phase have higher baseline
glutamatergic transmission than animals decapitated at the start of the inactive phase. CORT levels could
play an important role in this difference. In this study, we will investigate whether in the BLA and in the
hippocampus the amount of LTP induction is different for animals at the start of the active or inactive
phase. This could correspond to differences in learning and memory for active or inactive phase animals.
So far, we were able to induce LTP in the hippocampus in inactive phase animals.
Acute stress: Influences of corticosterone receptors on synaptic

plasticity
Danil C. Puntman1, Femke S. den Boon1, Marian Jols1
1
Department of translational neuroscience, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, The
Netherlands
Corresponding author: d.c.puntman@students.uu.nl
Organisms have to cope with major ecological, environmental or physical disturbances in homeostasis in
order to survive. This adaptation is mediated by the stress response and includes endocrine and
neuronal mechanisms which are quickly activated, but can have long-lasting effects. However, these
systems can be maladaptive by causing psychopathologies. The main hormone that modulates brain
function is corticosterone, which can bind to mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and glucocorticoid
receptors (GRs). This hormone exerts genomic effects via classical intracellular MRs and GRs, but also
mediates fast effects via more recently discovered membrane-located MRs and GRs. Knowledge of the
molecular mechanisms activated by these receptors is essential for understanding how acute stress
modulates brain function at both the short and long term. In this review, the downstream pathways of
membrane-localized corticosterone receptors are discussed, as well as their resulting effects on
neurotransmission and gene transcription. Furthermore, these findings are compared with action of the
genomic receptors. The recent literature adds complexity to the original idea that MRs and GRs have
opposing effects on synaptic plasticity and glutamatergic transmission. Overall, the molecular studies
however tend to agree on MR activations having positive effects on long term potentiation and
glutamatergic signaling, whereas GR activation promotes long term depression and inhibits glutamatergic
neurotransmission.

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Dissecting the role of actin in inhibitory bouton dynamics

Lisa Scheefhals1, Ctia P. Frias1, Casper C. Hoogenraad1, Corette J. Wierenga1
1
Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Beta-sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: l.scheefhals@students.uu.nl
Synapses are the fundamental elements of neuronal communication. For normal brain function, the
correct balance between excitation and inhibition needs to be maintained, and dysregulations can give
rise to neurological disorders. Even though excitatory synapses have been widely studied, inhibitory
synapses remain less well understood. Inhibitory presynaptic boutons are very dynamic structures, which
continuously change shape and appear, disappear, and reappear along the axon over the course of
minutes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms in bouton dynamics are currently not known.
Actin has been shown to be important for both synapse formation and function, being highly enriched at
presynapses. To study the role of actin in inhibitory bouton dynamics, we use two-photon microscopy to
visualize inhibitory axons in hippocampal slices from GAD65-GFP mice, in which a subset of inhibitory
neurons is GFP-labelled. We acquire high-resolution image stacks at every 10 minutes. After a 50-minute
baseline period, we wash in different actin drugs, and the imaging is continued for 100 minutes. Our lab
previously observed that inhibition of actin polymerization by LatrunculinB promotes stabilization of
inhibitory presynaptic boutons. We are now studying the effect of Jasplakinolide, an actin polymerization
enhancer drug, on inhibitory bouton dynamics. Our preliminary data shows that Jasplakinolide treatment
specifically induces the formation of boutons. Our results show that actin dynamics is important to
regulate inhibitory presynaptic bouton dynamics, and suggest that actin regulation plays an important
role in maintaining the balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain.
Differences in electrophyshiological and behavioral responses to ingroup

and outgroup childrens faces
Hannah Spencer and Peter A. Bos
1
Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Utrecht University

Corresponding author: h.spencer@uu.nl
1
Compelling evidence indicates that sensitivity towards infant facial cues is important for adult-child
interactions and caretaking behaviors. Since caregiving behavior has an extensive impact on the
cognitive and social-emotional development of a child, it is of great importance to understand underlying
mechanisms that may affect this interplay. For the current research we were interested to see if facial
characteristics typical of different ethnicities would influence the electrophysiological and behavioral
responses to childrens faces. A total of 46 nulliparous healthy females participated in the study and
conducted a key pressing task measuring dual aspects of appraisal and incentive salience in the reward
processing of childrens faces. During task execution, electrophysiological responses were measured
using electroencephalography (EEG). We are currently running analyses, therefore no conclusions can be
drawn as of yet. However, preliminary analyses indeed indicate that ingroup and outgroup childrens
faces elicit different electrophysiological and behavioral responses.

Back to Overview
The runner's high, anxiolysis and endocannabinoids

Maxime Verwoert1, Joke M.P. Baas1
1
Department of Experiment Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Corresponding author: m.verwoert@students.uu.nl
It has long been thought that the pleasant feelings associated with exercise (euphoria, anxiolysis,
analgesia and sedation), also termed the "runner's high", are mediated by the opioid system. Recent
evidence however suggests that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may mediate these feelings instead.
Our interest is in the putative, acute, anxiolytic effect associated with the endocannabinoid release after
running. Recreationally fit participants will engage in both walking and running on a treadmill on
separate days. Before and after the exercise the participants will fill in an anxiety questionnaire and after
each exercise the subjects proceed with a fear-potentiated startle (FPS) experiment. Anxiety, as
measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and FPS are expected to be reduced after the running
condition compared to the walking condition. In addition, anandamide levels (an endocannabinoid) will
be observed in this pilot study via changes in Positive Affect, as the two were correlated in a previous
study.
The anxiolytic and cognitive effects of L-theanine

David de Wied1, Leon Kenemans1, Joke Baas1
1

Corresponding author: d.e.dewied@students.uu.nl
L-theanine (N-ethyl-L-glutamine) is a major amino acid uniquely found in tea leaves, structurally similar
to glutamic acid. A number of studies investigated the anxiolytic effects with varying levels of success,
but none so far have looked at physiological indices of anxiety. Our first aim is to use an anxiety test
battery that includes the Fear-Potentiated Startle (FPS) as a direct test of the hypothesis that L-theanine
has anxiolytic effects. Physiological measurements will be collected in the form of heart rate, skin
conductance, blood pressure and alpha amylase as indicators of defensive arousal, as well as resting
state EEG measurements to determine alpha wave generation. A secondary aim relates to the
observation that people with a higher level of trait anxiety have more room to improve and this group
receives stronger beneficial effects of L-theanine. In a study where participants were divided into two
groups based on their trait anxiety, results showed that only participants with high levels of anxiety
received beneficial cognitive effects of the L-theanine administration based on reaction time and
accuracy of a mental arithmetic task. Given that high levels of anxiety are often detrimental to cognitive
performance, the increased performance could be due to reduced anxiety. Several cognitive tasks are
included to replicate this result and measure attention. Our secondary hypothesis is that participants with
higher trait anxiety scores will show greater improvements when compared to participants with lower
scores. This test battery will be run on two test days, with 200 mg of L-theanine being administered in a
placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over trial.
11
Oral session 2 Tuesday May 10th

Neurology 14:00 15:00
Back to Overview
An experimental rat model for MRI-compatible transcranial direct

current stimulation
Dirk Jan Ardesch1, Julia Boonzaier1, Rick M. Dijkhuizen1
1
Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, The
Netherlands
Corresponding author: d.j.ardesch@students.uu.nl
Stroke is the leading cause of chronic adult disability worldwide. Although treatment options after the
acute stage are limited, some spontaneous functional reorganization is observed in the brain. This
reorganization may be modulated by noninvasive brain stimulation such as transcranial direct current
stimulation (tDCS) to potentially improve functional recovery. tDCS studies in humans thus far have
yielded promising yet inconclusive results due to widely differing experimental protocols and subject
groups. Thus, more reproducible and controlled experiments are needed, with a promising role for
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to elucidate tDCS-induced changes in functional connectivity and
perfusion in the brain. The aim of this study is to establish a rat model for MRI-compatible tDCS to test
stimulation set-up and parameters, which may further our understanding of the mechanisms and
treatment potentials of tDCS. Two electrodes will be fixed directly to the cranium over the bilateral
sensorimotor regions in Sprague-Dawley rats. In a 4.7 T MRI scanner, a weak current will be induced
between the electrodes, preceded and followed by resting-state functional MRI and perfusion MRI. We
expect to find increased functional connectivity in the brain regions beneath the anode, and the reverse
effect beneath the cathode. If successful, the technique will be applied under various stimulation
conditions to study the effects on healthy animals and animals with experimentally induced stroke. This
would contribute to our understanding of the mode of action of therapeutic tDCS and may guide further
studies to optimize tDCS as a stroke treatment.
Cortico-cortical evoked potential mapping of critical language cortex

Albena Vassileva1,2, Dora Hermes1, Nick Ramsey1
1
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht
Neuroscience and Cognition Masters, Utrecht University
Corresponding author: a.g.vassileva@students.uu.nl
2
Electrocortical stimulation mapping (ESM) directly on the cerebral cortex is currently the "gold standard"
in mapping language function before epilepsy surgery. However, ESM can cause after-discharges, it
requires active patient cooperation and it is time-consuming. One hypothesis is that critical language
regions are defined by their connectivity patterns. Single-pulse electrical stimulation can be used to map
cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs), which can reveal the specifics of effective connectivity. No
systematic tool is currently available to map the amplitude, latency and synchrony of the CCEPs. This
report presents a method to map these aspects of CCEPs and to reveal unique connectivity patterns of
language regions. In 4 patients who had electrodes implanted for seizure localization, critical language
nodes were stimulated and CCEPs were measured across the cortex. The N1 component is the first
negative deflection peaking between 10 and 50ms. A Gaussian curve was fitted to the CCEP averaged
over half of the trials, and parameters for the amplitude, latency and width were extracted. It was tested
how well the other half of the trials were predicted by the fitted CCEP, using the ratio of the prediction
and test-retest root mean squared errors (relative root mean squared error). For nearly 50% of the
electrodes the model predicted the data better than the other half of the trials. Maps of the fitted
parameters revealed the timing and amplitude of connections between frontal and temporal language
areas. The results show that the model allows for a very useful characterization of the CCEP. Using this
tool, we can now study the connectivity patterns of language regions using graph measures, and
compare these to ESM.
Oral session 2 Tuesday May 10th

Neurology 14:00 15:00
Back to Overview
Encoding of perceived speech intensity in the brain using fast fMRI

Danille Bruel1, Julia Berezutskaya1, Nick Ramsey1
1
Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: d.m.m.bruel@students.uu.nl
Studies on electrophysiology have indicated that superior temporal gyrus (STG) tracks one of the key
characteristics of naturalistic speech its perceived loudness, or speech intensity. However, sparse
spatial sampling of electrophysiological approaches requires further investigation of the question. In this
study we tested whether fast fMRI can provide additional evidence of tracking speech intensity in the
human brain. Fifteen patients with intractable epilepsy participated in the fMRI experiment, where they
watched a 6.30min movie (Pippi Longstocking). Speech intensity was constructed as mean amplitude
over all audio frequencies and convolved with a standard hemodynamic response function at various lags
(1 to 10s). FMRI measurements were acquired using a 3T scanner (TR=0.608, slice thickness=4mm).
The data were realigned, despiked, detrended and high-pass filtered at 0.009Hz. Spearman rank
correlation to speech intensity was calculated for each voxel at each hemodynamic lag (HL). We found
that individual correlation scores reached 0.48 (p<0.01, FDR-corrected). The group map at HL=4
revealed bilateral engagement of posterior STG in tracking speech intensity across all subjects (t=2.76,
p<0.01, unc). Longer HLs also produced significant correlations in most subjects, although their
localization in the brain differed from HL=4 and varied considerably across subjects. Overall, our results
are in agreement with the previous findings and support the claim that posterior STG tracks the intensity
of naturalistic speech. Our results also suggest that brain areas involved in tracking speech intensity
might vary over time. This can be indicative of propagation of the processed information from early
auditory cortices to higher-level processing units.
Joran T.Schulte1,2, Giuliano Giuliani1, Pierre N.E. de Graan1, R. Jeroen Pasterkamp1

1
Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Master Neuroscience & Cognition, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: j.t.schulte@students.uu.nl
2
13

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Morphology and maturation of human astrocytes in a novel 3D cerebral

organoid co-culture system
Jessy V. van Asperen1, Robert Krencik1, Kyounghee Seo1, Erik M. Ullian1
1
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Corresponding author: j.v.vanasperen@students.uu.nl
Astrocytes and astrocyte-derived signals have an important role in central nervous system development
and function, as evident by their role in synaptogenesis and synaptic refinement. Although functional
human astrocytes have successfully been derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC), so far it has
not been possible to recapitulate the complex structure and heterogeneity that these cells display in vivo,
which is a caveat in studying astrocytes in the context of disease. In this study, we investigate the
effects of hPSC-derived neurons from different regions of the brain on maturation of co-cultured
astrocytes. Our preliminary data suggests that the environment of the astrocytes influences its
morphology. Traditionally, two dimensional (2D) methods are used to co-culture neural subtypes,
however this method does not recapitulate the three dimensional (3D) microenvironment that neural
cells encounter in vivo. Therefore, a novel 3D-cerebral organoid co-culture system was developed and
the morphology and functionality of astrocytes in this system was compared to traditional 2D methods.
As proof of principle for disease modeling, this 3D organoid system was also utilized to examine
astrocytes with a mutation in the Progranulin gene, a mutation that is prevalent in patients with familial
frontotemporal dementia. Potentially, this 3D in vitro system will provide better representation of the in
vivo environment of the astrocyte and can be used in the future to study their function in development
and disease.
New insights in axonal maturation of human CNS neurons: A proteomics

analysis
Annemiek van Berkel1, Susan van Erp1, Charles ffrench-Constant1
1
MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
Corresponding author: a.a.vanberkel@students.uu.nl
Developing axons of CNS neurons have the intrinsic ability to grow and, if necessary, to regenerate in
order to reach their targets. As they mature, this ability significantly reduces and after injury mature
neurons fail to regenerate. Numerous studies suggest that in addition to inhibitory factors in the
environment of mature neurons, molecular mechanisms within the axon are causing this deficiency.
Manipulating these mechanisms may enhance the intrinsic growth ability of axons, which is highly
relevant for neurodegenerative disease therapies. However, all previous work has been performed in
non-human cells, and it remains unknown which essential pathways are altered during maturation in
human axons. Recent advances in stem cell biology have opened up possibilities to culture and study
human neurons. The aim of this study is to reveal developmental changes in the human axonal
proteome in order to identify novel factors contributing to the reduced outgrowth ability of mature
axons. We use an unbiased proteomics approach to analyse human embryonic stem cell-derived
neurons. By using culture inserts, the axons grow spatially separated from the cell bodies. This allows us
to specifically harvest axonal protein fractions at critical time points during maturation. Western blot
analysis validates that these fractions are enriched in axonal markers, and devoid of MAP2 (dendritic
marker) and NeuN (neuronal cell body marker). Next, the samples will be analysed by massspectrometry based proteomics. These findings will provide valuable and comprehensive information
about the factors that are related to the lack of regeneration in human CNS neurons.

Back to Overview
The ARHGAP gene family and neocortical development

Elias Brandorff1 and Marta Rosrio1
1
Neuroscience Excellence Cluster, Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charit Universittsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Corresponding author: j.e.brandorff@students.uu.nl
In the neocortex, information is processed through the dendritic arbor of neurons. During cortical
development dendritic branching is restrained until newly formed neurons have migrated towards their
location in the cortical plate. From studies that include post-mortem tissue analysis of children with
mental retardation it is known that neurodevelopmental impairment is associated with dendritic tree
morphology. Currently, however, little is known about the mechanisms involved in the regulation of
dendritic branch formation. Rho GTPases are critical regulators of fundamental cellular processes. They
act as binary switches in various intracellular processes, including dendritic outgrowth and are modulated
by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). A key Rho GTPase during neurite sprouting is Cdc42. Recently, a
new GAP was described that showed specific inhibitory activity towards Cdc42 signalling during cortical
development and was involved in dendritic morphology and autism-like behaviour in mice. Other GAPs
may also affect cortical development and behaviour in a similar fashion and therefore the current line of
research is set out to identify GAPs, coded by genes from the ARHGAP family that involved in normal
cortical development. Elucidating these pathways will be addressed by dominant negative mutants of the
investigated Rho family member, which is expected to lead to restoration of dendritic complexity.
Moreover, brain tissue from genetically modified animals and treated by in utero electroporation will be
analyzed to determine DNA and RNA expression of GAP genes with in situ hybridization and
immunohistochemistry. Additionally, neuronal cell cultures are used for live imaging to visualize the
dendritic arbor.
Localization of CREB1 intronic transcript in the female zebra finch brain

Julia A. Broekhuizen1, Julia M. George1, David F. Clayton1
1
School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, Queen Mary University of
London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England.
Corresponding authors: J.A.Broekhuizen@students.uu.nl, D.Clayton@qmul.ac.uk
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have a wide variety of potential functions in gene regulation. In particular,
evidence suggests that ncRNAs may regulate expression of neighbouring genes. A RNA-seq experiment
by Dr. J. George revealed a novel ncRNA that is embedded inside an intron of the cyclic AMP response
element binding protein (CREB1) gene. As CREB has a central role in learning and memory formation,
the ncRNA CREBi might also be involved in these processes by regulating the transcription of CREB1. In
this study we took the first step to elucidate the functions of CREBi by attempting to locate this CREBi
transcript in the zebra finch brain using in situ hybridization. In the first attempt, a cDNA clone encoding
CREBi was identified in the libraries of the Songbird Neurogenomics Initiative and used to synthesize a
hybridization probe (riboprobe). However, no consistent signal above background could be detected
using this probe. A second cDNA probe was then produced using PCR from zebra finch brain DNA. This
probe yielded a faint signal in some brain sections, in a subset of relatively large cells which appear to be
neurons. These results establish hybridization conditions that could be used in future experiments to
study the effect of experience on the expression of CREBi, and its possible role in regulating CREB
expression.
15

Back to Overview
Viktoriia Chubar1, Rachel M. Brouwer1, Jalmar Teeuw1, Dorret I. Boomsma2, Hilleke E. Hulshoff Pol1
1
Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: v.chubar@students.uu.nl
2
A controlled study on bilingual advantage in one bidialectal group and

four bilingual groups
Emma Everaert1, Tessel D. Boerma1, Leonie Cornips2, Mona Timmermeister1, Elma Blom1
1
Department of Special Education: Cognitive & Motor Disabilities, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: e.everaert@uu.nl
2
Previous research has shown that bilinguals outperform monolinguals on executive functioning tasks.
Executive functioning is defined as an umbrella term for functions that regulate cognitive processes, such
as inhibition, planning and working memory. It has been proposed that the management of two
languages simultaneously requires more inhibition and (task) switching, leading to more practice with
executive functions. This increased amount of practice results in better executive control. Bilingual
advantage has been found in varying groups of bilinguals. However, to this day there is very little
consensus on which factors related to bilingualism, such as language proficiency or language pair
spoken, are specifically responsible for or influence this bilingual advantage. In a literature study by the
first author various relevant factors have been identified. In this study it will be investigated whether
dialect speakers may entertain the same cognitive benefits as bilinguals. Dialect speakers are rarely
investigated in bilingual advantage research, while it is theoretically likely they will also show bilingual
advantage. In this study a bidialectal group of children is compared to four groups of bilingual children
and a control group of monolingual children in The Netherlands. They are compared on measures of
nonverbal IQ, verbal and visuospatial working memory storage and processing, selective attention, and
interference inhibition, while controlling for the relevant factors identified in the literature study. It is
hypothesized that bidialectals will show enhanced executive functioning compared to the monolinguals,
but will not differ from the bilingual groups.

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Development of astrocyte-like glia in Drosophila Melanogaster, sifting

their genome
Robin M. Goudeketting1, Tobias Stork1, Marc R. Freeman1
1
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

Corresponding author: Robin.Goudeketting@umassmed.edu
Like mammalian brains, the brain of Drosophila melanogaster contains multiple morphologically and
functionally distinct glial subtypes. One has been identified that shows striking similarities with
mammalian astrocytes. Drosophila astrocyte-like glia (ALG) have fine ramified processes which infiltrate
specifically into the neuropil, a structure that encloses all the CNS synapses. ALG are essential for animal
survival and are crucial for clearance of glutamate and GABA. Ablation of ~75% of ALG causes lethality
mostly at pupal stages. The few flies that do survive to adulthood are severely uncoordinated and unable
to fly or walk, and usually die within days. Morphology of surviving ALG is extremely affected and they
show great reduction of neuropil-infiltrating processes compared to controls. The ramified morphology
and neuropil infiltration of ALG processes thus proves crucial for Drosophila neuronal function and
consequently organism survival. However, molecular mechanisms that control coordinated outgrowth
and communication between ALG, neurons, and synapses are very poorly understood. To identify genes
that are specifically required in ALG for these mechanisms, we are conducting an in vivo RNAi screen.
Using an ALG-specific Gal4 driver and publically available UAS-RNAi lines, gene expression can be
knocked down specifically in ALG. Morphology then can be assessed using antibody detection of the
astrocytic membrane-bound GABA transporter GAT. Morphology and neuropil infiltration can be
accurately investigated using confocal microscopy since GAT is evenly distributed over the ALG
membrane. We aim to identify genes involved in achieving complex ALG morphology. Ultimately, this will
enhance our understanding of signaling pathways controlling astrocyte development.
The adolescent paradox: unravelling adolescent risk and resilience to

alcohol use disorders
Kayla H. Green1,2, Maaike Labots1, Leon Kenemans2, Louk J.M.J. Vanderschuren1, Janna Cousijn, Heidi
M.B. Lesscher1
1
Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioural Neuroscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht
University 2Department of Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University
Corresponding author: k.h.green@uu.nl
The adolescent brain is characterized by the maturation and fine-tuning of processes related to cognitive
control and motivation. These immature behavioral control processes are thought to put adolescents at
risk for alcohol use disorders (AUD) and addiction in general. Previous studies have shown that poor
control over the motivation to drink contributes to the development of AUD. At the same time the
adolescent brain is flexible to adapt to the changing environment. As such, adolescence poses not only a
risk period for AUD, but also a window of opportunity to overcome alcohol abuse. The aim of the project
is to assess the age-related differences in adolescents and adults in the relation between cognition,
motivation and alcohol use, using questionnaires and neuropsychological tasks. We hypothesize that
adolescents are less likely to lose control over alcohol use, even though they consume more alcohol. We
expect that adults, compared to adolescents, show a stronger negative association between cognitive
control (working memory, inhibition, behavioral control) and alcohol use. Additionally, we expect that
adolescents show a stronger positive association between reward sensitivity, alcohol-related motivational
processes (attentional bias, approach bias, craving) and alcohol use compared to adults. This human
study will be paralleled by a rat study, to investigate the neurobiological (prefrontal cortex functioning)
consequences of alcohol consumption in adolescence versus adulthood. This translational approach will
contribute to the understanding of age-related differences in the mechanisms underlying addiction and
17
will therefore help to unravel the adolescent paradox.

Back to Overview
The virtual supermarket a study on virtual reality in cognitive

rehabilitation for children
Marc S. van den Heerik1,2, Lauriane A. Spreij
Nijboer1,2,3
1,2
, Ingrid Rentinck2, J.M. Anne Visser-Meily1,2, Tanja C.W.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands

De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation Center, The Netherlands
3
Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: m.s.vandenheerik@gmail.com
2
A vast majority of children suffering from acquired brain injury (ABI) experience cognitive impairment.
These impairments can severely limit engagement in daily activities and therefore the quality of life.
Current neuropsychological assessment is able to assess cognitive functioning, but has low predictive
value of (independence in) functioning in daily life. This is not surprising considering the gap between
performance on static paper-and-pencil tests and functioning in our highly complex and dynamic
everyday living. Over the last years a rapidly increasing number of virtual reality (VR) environments have
been investigated with the premise of being more motivating and ecological valid compared to
conventional assessment and therapy. However, most VR applications investigated effects on physical
functioning and far less on cognitive functioning. To explore VR as a more ecological valid
neuropsychological assessment and intervention tool in the future, this study will investigate the
feasibility and usability of a new VR environment - The Virtual Supermarket - within cognitive
rehabilitation for children. Fifteen Children with ABI receiving treatment at De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation
Center and fifteen healthy age- and gender matched control children will be included in this study. They
will perform a grocery shopping task in The Virtual Supermarket presented on a desktop computer
screen as well as using the immersive head-mounted display (Oculus Rift). To assess the feasibility and
usability of both setups the primary behavioural measures of the shopping task, eye movements and
fixations, and overall experience will be compared between groups.
A
Klara I. Jansen1, Anne F. J. Janssen1, Lukas C. Kapitein1
1
Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Corresponding author: k.i.jansen@students.uu.nl

Back to Overview
Immaturity at birth has limited impact on cortical development in

extremely preterm infants
F. van Kalken1, K. Keunen, P. Moeskops, N.H.P. Claessens, F. Groenendaal, L.S. de Vries, M.A. Viergever, I.
Igum, M.J. Benders1,2
1
Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
Corresponding author: F.vanKalken-3@umcutrecht.nl
2
Extremely preterm birth can have adverse consequences for brain development. We aimed to investigate
the relationship between immaturity at birth and development of the cerebral white matter and cortex in
terms of growth and cortical convolution through term equivalent age (TEA). Serial scans of 50 infants
born at a gestational age (GA) 24+0-27+6 weeks were obtained at around 31 weeks postmenstrual age
(PMA) and at TEA. Coronal T2 weighted images were segmented into cortical grey matter (CGM),
unmyelinated white matter (UWM) and cerebrospinal fluid volumes using an automatic segmentation
method. Cortical thickness and gyrification index were calculated from these segmentations. CGM and
UWM growth was computed as the difference in volume between serial scans, corrected for PMA.
Multivariate linear regression was used for analyses. GA at birth was significantly related to UWM volume
at 31 weeks PMA (T(1)=4.16, p<0.001), but not with UWM at TEA or with UWM growth between these
time-points. No significant association was observed between GA and CGM volumes, gyrification index or
cortical thickness at both time-points. Here we provide evidence that cortical development and UWM
growth may not be related to immaturity at birth in extremely preterm infants. These findings may
reflect the true absence of an association between immaturity at birth (i.e. GA) and cortical and white
matter development when born extremely prematurely. Alternatively, neonatal morbidity may have more
significant impact on the developing brain than GA alone. Future research should address these
hypotheses in a larger sample.
Kim Kijk in de Vegt1, Myrte Merkestein1, Frances M. Ashcroft1

1
Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire

Corresponding author: t.k.kijkindevegt@students.uu.nl
19

Back to Overview
Effects of early life stress on memory and pattern separation; what role
plays epigenetics?
Petra E. van Soldt1, Shaghayegh Abghari1, Amanda Jager1 Jeffrey C. Glennon1 and Charlotte A. Oomen1
1
Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain,
Cognition, and Behaviour, Centre for Neuroscience, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: P.E.vanSoldt@students.uu.nl
Luckily, everyone experiences stress in their life. Without stress, we would not be able to respond
optimal to challenging situations. The stress response can thus function as a protective mechanism, but
unfortunately stress can also have a negative impact on organisms, especially when experienced early in
life. Early life stress in humans has been a known risk factor for multiple psychopathologies such as
depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. To be able to get insight
in how early life stress could lead to these psychopathologies, an established model for severe early life
stress in rats is used (24 h maternal deprivation at postnatal day 3). In this model we tested memory
and pattern separation ability in adulthood with the use of a spontaneous location recognition task. In
addition, we used a touchscreen based continuous trial-unique nonmatching-to-location task. In both
tasks, in order to investigate differential effects of stress hormone levels, animals were tested under
baseline and high-corticosterone conditions. The outcome of these behavioural tasks will be correlated to
the individual micro-RNA expression patterns. With this correlation, we hope to be able to identify
protective and harmful micro-RNA changes in relation to memory and pattern separation as a result of
early life stress, which may identify putative targets for treatment.
Mineralocorticoid receptor expression differentially affects mice

behavior after early life stress
Kirsten Sparnaaij1, Hester Meeusen1, Marian Jols and Angela Sarabdjitsingh1
1
Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: k.sparnaaij@students.uu.nl
Early life stress (ELS) has a strong effect on brain and behavior and may increase vulnerability to
psychopathology later in life. ELS causes the release of corticosteroid hormones and these act through
two receptors that are highly expressed in the brain: the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and
mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Recent human research suggests a novel role for the MR as certain
haplotypes are associated with a variable degree of resilience against depression and modulate the effect
of childhood maltreatment in a sex-dependent manner. However, the causal relationship between ELS,
MR expression and brain function is still unclear. This is further investigated in this study. We expect to
replicate previous findings of the effect of ELS on adult behavior. In addition, we expect that MR knockout (MRKO) mice show a stronger behavioral phenotype. We exposed control and heterozygous MRKO
C57BL/6J male and female mice to either a normal control condition or an early life stress (ELS)
condition by limiting the bedding material. Starting at four weeks of age, these mice were tested in a
battery of behavioral tasks, measuring behavior in several domains (e.g. anxiety, social, and cognition)
over the course of the animals development. Preliminary results in males show increased anxiety levels
and impaired behavioral flexibility after ELS. MRKO mice just showed decreased locomotor activity in
response to novelty, which did not fully reflect our expectations. We currently compare data collected in
females with previously collected data from male mice, to assess putative gender effects.

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Starvation-induced effects on cell proliferation in activity-based

anorexia rats
Stefanie. N. Trinh1, Linda Frintrop, Julia Kempermann, Johanna Liesbrock, Cordian Beyer, Martien Kas,
Jochen Seitz2
1
Institute of Neuroanatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Corresponding author: s.n.trinh@students.uu.nl
2
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by reduced food intake, hyperactivity and
an irrational fear of weight gain. Moreover, gray and white matter volume reductions were observed in
patients with AN. We hypothesize that volumetric brain changes are caused by decreased formation of
new cells. Physical exercise and mild food deprivation are known to promote cell proliferation, however,
excessive activity and severe food restriction as seen in AN are associated with reduced cell proliferation.
A modified version of the activity-based anorexia (ABA) model for rodents was used. Adolescent female
rats had 24 h/day access to a running wheel and received limited food so that a 25% weight reduction
was reached and maintained for two weeks. The levels of cell proliferation using the proliferation marker
Ki67 and total brain weights were assessed. ABA rats (n=6) showed a significant starvation-induced
bodyweight loss and higher activity levels than normally fed controls (n=5) in the acute starvation phase.
Brain weights of ABA animals were significantly smaller compared to controls (p=0.0003). Cell
proliferation in the hippocampal formation (p=0.145) and in the corpus callosum (p=0.059) showed a
trend towards reduction in ABA rats compared to control animals. The ABA paradigm mimics several
characteristics of AN including volumetric brain changes. We intend to enlarge the sample size to further
investigate cell proliferation changes. Diminished cell proliferation is a possible cause for brain volume
alterations in AN. Potentially mediating factors such as weight loss and excessive activity will be
explored.
Vlasblom J1, Rehberg K1, Pasterkamp RJ1

1
Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The
Netherlands.
Corresponding author: j.l.vlasblom@students.uu.nl
21
Oral session 3 Tuesday May 10th: Social Neuroscience 16:00 17:00

Back to Overview
Jutta de Jong1, Anouk Keizer1, Chris Dijkerman1

1
Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands

Corresponding author: j.r.dejong@uu.nl
Is fear recognition ability related to social cognition in children with ASD

and intellectual disabilities?
Julia J. Boere1, Nina K. Molendijk1, Peter A. Bos2, Dorine Slaats-Willemse3
1Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department for Intellectual Disability, Oosterbeek, the Netherlands
2Utrecht University, Department of Experimental Psychology, the Netherlands
3Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Corresponding author: j.j.boere@students.uu.nl
Social impairments have been widely studied as one of the core features of Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD). However, the causal relationship between these impairments and ASD is still unclear. Studies
have shown emotion recognition to be related to Theory of Mind (ToM): Poor fear recognition has been
shown to predict deficits in ToM in healthy individuals and impaired recognition of fear has been found in
ASD subjects with an average IQ. Furthermore, 50% of the children with ASD have comorbid intellectual
disability (ID), but little is known about the influence of ID on the phenotype of ASD. The relationship
between fear recognition and ToM in children with ASD and ID has not been studied yet. This study
investigates impairments in social cognition in children with ASD and mild to borderline intellectual
functioning (MBIF: IQ 60-85), by exploring a childs ability to recognize facial expressions in relation to
its ToM abilities. Based on previous studies, we expect to find a correlation between fear recognition and
ToM ability, with better ToM abilities in children that show better fear recognition. Furthermore, IQ is
expected to be a moderating factor in social cognitive impairments. A computerized task for
Identification of Facial Emotions (ANT) is used to measure emotion (i.e. fear) recognition. To test ToM
abilities a Theory of Mind task (NEPSY-II) is administered. Thirty participants, aged 6 to 9, with ASD and
an IQ between 60 and 90 are included in the study. No results can be reported, the study is still in
progress.
Oral session 3 Tuesday May 10th: Social Neuroscience 16:00 17:00

Back to Overview
Involuntary attention mechanisms & novel sound processing during

social and non-social interaction in children
D. Demenega1, 2, E. Schrger1, N. Wetzel1
1
University of Leipzig, Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Leipzig, Germany
Corresponding author: d.demenega@students.uu.nl
Unexpected auditory events elicit a cascade of reactions known as the orienting response, which serves
to prepare us for sudden changes in the environment. The auditory system is fundamentally equipped
with mechanisms to detect such changes automatically. Auditory detection of change, has been studied
by measuring event-related potentials (ERPs) to occasional infrequent changes in a sequence of
repeated standard stimuli (oddball paradigm).
Within the ERPs research, the distraction potential has been described as an early negativity (mismatch
negativity (MMN)), a later positivity (P3a), and a final negativity (reorienting negativity (RON)). These
potentials have been proposed to reflect the three main stages of attentional control: change detection,
orienting of attention to the distractor and evaluation, and finally the return of attention to the initial
task. The goal of the present study is to reveal the role of the distraction potentials by using naturalistic
conditions to raise the likelihood of ecologically valid findings. We utilized an oddball paradigm in which
simple tones were presented (standards) interrupted by natural sounds (novels). The behavioral task
was to perform a memory matching game either on iPad or playing with an experimenter while ignoring
the auditory stimuli. This study explores in what way different aspects of the task i.e. working memory
load, social conditions, can modulate and in which direction the processing of novel sounds. We predict
that processing of unattended sound streams competes with task demands for cognitive resources, and
that would be manifested in the characteristics of the distraction potential.
How many ways to Rome? Physical accuracy and the quality and sound
of music
Beorn G. Nijenhuis1, H. Chris Dijkerman1, & Jeroen B. J. Smeets2
1

Department of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: b.g.nijenhuis@students.uu.nl
2
We believe that master musicians improvisational exactness is reflective of a highly developed

proprioceptive system giving them great accuracy in proprioceptive tasks that are specific to their
instrument. However, the question remains how does the exactness of a musicians movements influence
the quality of the notes and eventually the quality of the music? Are the most exact classical musicians
the best ones, and does physical exactness even translate into auditory exactness? We wish to use 3d
camera technology such as the 3D investigator camera system to track and quantify the variance in
movement exhibited by the hands of professional musicians as they play their instruments to see if it
corresponds with the auditory and musical quality of their pieces. We would perform objective
measurements using principal component analysis and canonical discriminant analysis on both the
musician's movements and the corresponding notes produced by those movements. We would then
combine the two data sets with procrustes analysis to see if the variance in the movement correlates
with the variance in the sound of the notes. Subjective analysis entails a team of experts from the
Conservatory of Amsterdam to see any relationship between variance in physical movement, produced
sound and subjective musical rating. Employing this strategy, we hope to better empirically understand
the relationship between physical control and the resultant variance in corresponding notes and the
quality of the music.
23
Oral presentations Wednesday May 11th

Back to Overview
Session 4: Neurology 2 09:30 10:30

Myrna Kelfkens The role of the CSF-brain barrier in glioma pathogenesis
Frederieke Gigase Unravelling the role of microglia in Alzheimers disease
Paul Hop Unravelling the role of methylation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Naomi Vlegels Cerebral small vessel disease and structural network alterations in patients with
vascular cognitive impairment
Session 5: Psychiatry 10:30 11:30

Michelle de Goeij Abstract not made available online
Miryea Ruiz Stress and brain connectivity in siblings of schizophrenia patients
Andromachi Tsouli Cortical brain measures and IQ in first-degree relatives of patients with
schizophrenia
Marieke Weijs From smartphone to lab: Clinical and cognitive correlates of social withdrawal in
schizophrenia
Session 6: Reward Systems 13:00 14:00

Anna Hoefnagels Abstract not made available online
Jodie Man Bidirectional chemogenetic control of dopaminergic activity in the
mesocorticolimbic pathway
Charlotte van Gelder Conditional deletion of the vesicular aminergic-associated transporter slc10a4 in
serotonergic neurons
Poster presentations Wednesday May 11th

Back to Overview
Session 3: Neurology and perception 11:30 13:00

Claudia Amboni
Philip Brandner
Hilde van den Brink
Zo Cox-Putker
Lieke van de Haar
Christian van 't Hekke
Elle van Heusden
Rein Hoogstraaten
Marije van der Kamp
Anu Meerwaldt
Sylvana Pol
Jackie Poos
Siem van den Reijen
Carlien Roelofzen
Erik Schild
Rosyl Somai
Marjolein Versteeg
Regulation of GFAP isoform expression and their role in astrocytoma cell lines
Acute cerebral microinfarcts in patients with vascular cognitive impairment

Understanding encoding of complex visual features in a continuous feature film
The role of Rab27a and Rab35 in extracellular vesicle release by glioma cells
Oscillations of attention within and between hemifields
Astrocyte and microglia response in human brain tissue after aneurysmal subarachnoid
haemorrhage
The effect of multisensory stimulation on brain connectivity following experimental
stroke in rats
Hyperdirect, direct and indirect pathway contribution to the triphasic response in the
Substantia Nigra
The effect of serious game training on cognitive bias mitigation
Visual perimetry based on anatomy using ultra-high field MRI

Establishment of an in vitro system to model the blood brain barrier
The cost of a saccade: The influence of availability of the external world on visual short term
memory
Session 4: Psychiatry and reward systems 14:00 15:00

Julia Binnewies
Differences in functional connectivity between offspring with high vs low risk for bipolar
disorder
Jantina Brummelman
Diego Fuentes
Esther Hazelhoff
Miriam HoffmannHarnisch
Christiaan Huffels
Maayke Klaver
Jasper Nuninga
Lynn van Olst
Claire Smid
Anne Snelting
Danille van Spijker
Giedre Stripeikyte
Elisa Voets
Thecla van
Wageningen
Jelmer Zondergeld
Koen van der Zouwen
Deep-coverage exome sequencing of the DRD2 gene using a schizophrenia case-controlrelatives design
Understanding cognitive rigidity in adolescents with anorexia nervosa
The role of amygdalocortical connectivity in decision-making behavior

A potentially regulatory effect of depression on social capacity in men and women with autism
Can the synergy between HPA axis and SNS activity predict generalisation of fear to new
contexts?
The neural basis of social exclusion in patients with borderline personality disorder
Neural encoding of cue-reward associations by orbitofrontal cortical neurons projecting to the
VTA
Effects of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 on serotonin transporter expression
Investigating face representations in schizophrenia using reverse correlation image
classification
The role of the habenula in control over cocaine self-administration in rats
25
Oral session 4 Wednesday May 11th: Neurology 09:30 10:30

Back to Oral Presentations Wednesday May 11th
Back to Overview
The role of the CSF-brain barrier in glioma pathogenesis

Myrna M. Kelfkens1, Sophietje F.A.M. de Sonnaville1, Pierre A.J.T. Robe2, Elly M. Hol1
1
Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The
Netherlands
2
Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: m.m.kelfkens@students.uu.nl
Gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors. Even after optimal treatment,
tumor recurrence is inevitable and median patient survival is 12 to 15 months. It is thought that
gliomas arise from and are maintained by glioma stem cells (GSCs), which strongly resemble
neural stem cells (NSCs) in their behavior and localization. NSCs are present in two distinct
niches in the adult brain, including the subventricular zone (SVZ), flanking the lateral ventricles.
It is hypothesized that GSCs hide in the SVZ where they escape standard-of-care treatment,
enabling them to cause glioma recurrence by migrating to the tumor site. Ventricular
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been shown to stimulate proliferation of NSCs. Considering their
resemblance to NSCs and their localization near the ventricles, GSCs might respond to CSF in a
similar manner. The only barrier between the GSCs and CSF is a single ependymal cell layer: the
CSF-brain barrier. The aim of this project is to elucidate the role of this barrier in glioma
pathogenesis. The human CSF-brain barrier will be characterized by immunohistochemistry on
postmortem brain tissue, comparing barrier integrity in glioma patients versus controls.
Furthermore, obtaining ependymal cells in culture would facilitate co-cultures with GSCs and CSF
to study their interactions. Differentiation of ependymal cells from NSCs will therefore be
attempted. Elucidating the influence of CSF on GSCs and the role of the CSF-brain barrier will
provide important information on the mechanisms of glioma pathogenesis, which may lead to
novel approaches to inhibiting glioma recurrence and increasing patient survival.
Unraveling the role of microglia in Alzheimers disease

Frederieke A.J. Gigase1, Miriam E. van Strien1, Elly M. Hol1
1
Netherlands
Corresponding author: f.a.j.gigase@students.uu.nl
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the brain and are involved in the immune response as
well as in wiring the central nervous system during development by mediating synapse
maturation and synaptic pruning. Recently, it has been shown that microglia are also involved in
synaptic pruning in the adult brain. Alzheimers Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative
disease characterized by beta-amyloid aggregates forming plaques in the brain. One of the main
hallmarks of AD is memory loss, likely caused by defects in synapses and synaptic loss.
Widespread microglia activation is a prominent feature in AD. However, the role of activated
microglial cells in AD pathology remains unclear.
The involvement of microglia in the elimination of synapses raises the question whether microglia
are involved in synaptic loss in the AD brain.
The current study investigates the role of microglia in synaptic pruning in AD. It is hypothesized
that in the AD brain microglia phagocytize more synapses compared to non-demented controls,
thereby affecting neuronal communication and cognitive functioning leading to AD. To investigate
this, immunohistochemical analyses of human post-mortem brain tissue obtained from the
Netherlands Brain Bank were performed for synapse markers (e.g. synaptophysin) and a
microglia marker (IBA1) to identify a correlation between the number of activated microglia and
synaptic loss. Unravelling the role of microglia in AD pathology would greatly add to the
understanding of the underlying mechanisms of AD and could result in microglia as a new
therapeutic target for Alzheimers Disease.
Oral session 4 Wednesday May 11th: Neurology 09:30 10:30

Back to Overview
Unravelling the role of methylation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Paul Hop1, Fabrizio Giuliani1, Kristel Kool-van Eijk1, Jan Veldink1
1
Department of Human Neurogenetics, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The
Netherlands
Corresponding author: p.j.hop@students.uu.nl
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating late-onset neurodegenerative disease in

which progressive motor neuron loss leads to relentlessly worsening paralysis. Several gene
mutations have been discovered, explaining a considerable amount of familial forms of ALS, and
have led to a better understanding of pathogenesis. However, about 90% of ALS cases are
sporadic and are likely the result of interactions between multiple genes and both the internal
and external milieu. Several environmental factors have already been associated with ALS,
including exposure to pesticides, metals, head injuries and lifestyle habits such as smoking.
Interestingly, epigenetic mechanisms which reversibly alter gene expression are influenced
by environmental factors as well. Moreover, it has been shown that major epigenetic differences
arise during the lifetime of monozygotic twins, who can be discordant for ALS. Therefore, we
hypothesize that epigenetic mechanisms might explain incomplete penetrance and late-onset of
ALS. In this study we focus on methylation, one of the most widely studied epigenetic
mechanisms. Methylation differences in ALS have been found on a genome-wide scale as well as
in specific ALS genes, most notably in the C9orf72 repeat expansion. In this study we obtained
genome-wide methylation data for approximately 3000 individuals, including both ALS cases and
controls. To our knowledge, this is by far the largest ALS methylation dataset to date, allowing
us to detect differences with high power. In this study we investigate both specific methylation
differences of ALS risk genes, as well as genome-wide methylation differences in association
with environmental/lifestyle factors.
Cerebral small vessel disease and structural network alterations in

patients with vascular cognitive impairment
Naomi Vlegels1, Rutger Heinen1, Hugo Kuijf, Jeroen de Bresser, Yael D. Reijmer1, Geert Jan
Biessels1
1
Department of Neurology, Brain Centre Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: n.vlegels@umcutrecht.nl
Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), a vascular disease which affects the deep perforating
arteries in the brain, is an important cause of dementia. Vascular disease in cognitive decline
and dementia is referred to as vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Structural network
alterations have been shown to relate to cognitive impairment in patients with VCI. Whether the
burden of SVD is related to structural network alterations in these patients is unknown. We aim
to assess the relationship between SVD burden and structural network alterations on MRI in
patients with VCI. 189 Patients with VCI were included from a large multi-centre study
(TRACE_VCI study). These patients were recruited from a memory clinic at the University
Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands, between July 2009 and September 2013. All patients
underwent a 3T brain MRI at baseline. Structural brain networks will be reconstructed using
semi-automated cortical parcellation of the brain (Freesurfer version 5.3.0) and Diffusion Tensor
Imaging (DTI)-based tractography (Explore DTI version 4.8.6). Structural network metrics (e.g.
global efficiency) will be calculated using graph theoretical analysis. In the past few months, 64
network nodes were obtained using cortical parcellation of the brain. Next, the connections
between the nodes will be reconstructed using DTI-based tractography. SVD markers (WMH,
lacunes, cerebral microbleeds and perivascular spaces) will be visually rated on various
sequences. Subsequently these markers will be used to calculate a composite SVD score to
indicate disease burden. The relationship between the composite SVD score and structural
network metrics will be assessed using correlation analysis.
27
Oral session 5 Wednesday May 11th: Psychiatry 10:30 11:30

Back to Overview
Michelle H.M. de Goeij1, Paul Ormel1, Lot de Witte1, Elly Hol1

1
Netherlands
Corresponding author: m.h.m.degoeij@students.uu.nl
Stress and brain connectivity in siblings of schizophrenia patients

Miryea C. Ruiz1, Judith M.C. van Leeuwen1, Matthijs Vink1, Marian Jols, Ren Kahn1, Christiaan
H.Vinkers1
1
University Medical Center Utrecht, Psychiatry, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Corresponding author: m.c.ruiz@students.uu.nl ; Corresponding supervisor: j.m.c.vanleeuwen@umcutrecht.nl
Stress has adverse effects on the brain and can promote the development of psychiatric
disorders. In addition, there is an increased risk for psychotic episodes in schizophrenia patients
after stressful events. Aberrant brain networks can cause brain dysfunction that seems to give
rise to a maladaptive stress response. How stress exactly affects the development of psychosis is
still however unknown. Furthermore, unaffected siblings that have increased genetic risk for
psychosis but exhibit no psychiatric symptoms, appear to have abnormal brain activation and
connectivity patterns. In this study, the brain connectivity between important brain areas
involved in the stress response circuit, particularly the amygdala, ventromedial prefrontal cortex
and posterior cingulate cortex, is measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Both unaffected siblings (N=40) and healthy controls
(N=40) will undergo either the control or stress condition of the validated Trier Social Stress
Test. Rest and task-induced functional connectivity as measured with fMRI will give more insight
on brain communication after stressful events in the healthy population as well as individuals
vulnerable for psychosis. DTI comparisons will be used to see whether any white matter deficits
contribute to the stress effect on functional connectivity. The results of this study might help to
understand how biological and neurological foundations can lead to maladaptive reactions to
stress and possibly increased risk for psychotic symptoms.
Oral session 5 Wednesday May 11th: Psychiatry 10:30 11:30

Back to Overview
Cortical brain measures and IQ in first-degree relatives of patients

with schizophrenia
Andromachi Tsouli1, Sonja de Zwarte1, Rachel M. Brouwer1, Neeltje van Haren1
Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, The
Netherlands
Corresponding author: a.tsouli@students.uu.nl
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a highly heritable mental disorder characterized by psychotic symptoms

and cognitive impairment. Structural MRI has revealed widespread morphological deficits in
patients, which are often shared by their unaffected first-degree relatives. Thus, we sought to
examine whether patients and their first-degree relatives share cortical abnormalities, which are
distinct for each relative group based on their differential risk of developing SCZ. Separate
analyses were conducted with and without total IQ score as a covariate, along with sex and age,
to examine the role of IQ in brain morphology of relatives. A total of 186 SCZ patients, 28
offspring, 208 siblings and 43 parents of SCZ patients and their respective controls, as well as 9
monozygotic and 9 dizygotic twins discordant and concordant for SCZ were included. A
significantly decreased global cortical thickness, surface area and intracranial volume in offspring
as compared with controls was found, while siblings displayed significantly decreased global
surface area and intracranial volume, but no deficits in cortical thickness. No significant
differences were found in global cortical thickness, surface area or intracranial volume in
parents, or discordant twins. The decreased surface area and intracranial volume in siblings and
SCZ patients ceased to exist when adding IQ as a covariate, with thickness measurements
remaining unchanged. These findings provide relative support for the dissociation between
cortical thickness and surface area in patients and their unaffected relatives and indicate how
cortical thickness is affected by disease-specific mechanisms while surface area and intracranial
volume are more influenced by neurodevelopmental processes.
From smartphone to lab: Clinical and cognitive correlates of social

withdrawal in schizophrenia
Marieke Weijs1, Jacob Vorstman1, Martien Kas2, Neeltje van Haren1
1
Netherlands 2Department of Translational Neuroscience, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical
Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: m.l.weijs@students.uu.nl
Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that often is characterized by poor daily life
functioning and increased social withdrawal. Studies show that social cognition partially explains
the variance in functional outcome in patients with schizophrenia, and that this effect is
mediated by negative symptoms and general neurocognition. However, the determinants of
social withdrawal are not conclusive across different studies. This might be due to the method of
assessing social withdrawal, which is traditionally done with self-report questionnaires and
clinical interviews. These measures are highly subjective and influenced by biases from both the
patient and the observer. Recent technological developments allow for novel methods to assess
daily life functioning in a more objective and ecologically valid manner. In this study, a
smartphone application (BeHapp) will be used to continuously monitor a number of activities
such as phone calls, messages, GPS coordinates, Bluetooth signals in the environment, and
application activity. These give an indication of an individuals social communication and social
exploration, and could be used to estimate social withdrawal in patients with schizophrenia.
BeHapp overcomes biases of the observer and patient, and gives an objective peek into
someones daily life social functioning. The relationship between daily life social withdrawal,
social cognition, and clinical symptomatology will be assessed to investigate the cognitive and
clinical underpinnings of social withdrawal. This study could improve understanding of the
determinants of social withdrawal, and therefore advance insight into the etiology and
underlying cognitive mechanisms of impaired social functioning in patients with schizophrenia.
29
Poster session 3 Wednesday May 11th: Neurology and Perception

11:30 13:00
Back to Poster Presentations Wednesday May 11th
Back to Overview
Regulation of GFAP isoforms expression in astrocytoma cell lines

Claudia Amboni1, Emma van Bodegraven1
1
Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: c.amboni@students.uu.nl
In the human brain two regions maintain their neurogenic function after development, namely
the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the subgranular zone (SGZ). Astrocytoma, a subtype of brain
tumor, are indeed thought to arise from astrocytes in these areas, as well as progenitor cells and
mature astrocytes. Four grades of tumor malignancy are distinguished (WHO grades I-IV), that
differ in respect of tumor growth and invasiveness, with the IV grade having poor prognosis,
very high recurrence rate and is usually resistant to therapies. GFAP is an Intermediate Filament
(IF) protein, one of the three main components of the cytoskeleton, and it has been used as a
marker for astrocytes. GFAP has at least ten known isoforms and their expression patterns have
been shown to change in different glioma grades. Of particular importance is the ratio between
the isoforms GFAP, the canonical and most abundant and marker for mature astrocytes, and
GFAP, marker for human adult neural stem cells (NSC). It has been observed that while GFAP
expression decreases with increased astrocytoma grade, GFAP expression remains the same,
resulting in an increase in the GFAP/GFAP ratio. In vitro, when the GFAP/GFAP ratio
becomes too high, the whole IF network of the cell collapses around the nucleus. We aim to
identify the molecular pathways regulated by the GFAP/GFAP ratio in astrocytoma cell lines.
Using lentiviral transductions we will knock down and overexpress different splice factors that
are known to regulate GFAP alternative splicing. RNA analysis and immunocytochemistry will be
used to identify changes in gene expression and changes in biological processes involved in
astrocytoma malignancy and invasiveness.
Philip Brandner1,2, Christina Pressl2,3, Maximilian Friedrich2,, Winrich Freiwald2

1
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Laboratory of Neural Systems, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
3
Department of Neurology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
Corresponding author: p.brandner@students.uu.nl
2

11:30 13:00
Back to Overview
Hilde van den Brink1, Doeschka A Ferro1, Geert Jan Biessels1

On behalf of the Utrecht Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) Study group
1
Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding authors: h.vandenbrink-2@umcutrecht.nl, g.j.biessels@umcutrecht.nl
Understanding Encoding of Complex Visual Features in a

Continuous Feature Film
Zo Cox-Putker1, Julia Berezutskaya1, Nick Ramsey1
1
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The
Netherlands
Corresponding author: z.s.c.cox-putker@students.uu.nl
Both low and high level visual features have been used to predict neural responses while
watching a series of video clips in the MRI scanner. However, the semantic representations of
visual experiences from a continuous feature film may differ from a randomised set of video
clips. In particular, using a feature film allows focusing on features that pertain to the characters
and story development rather than mere perception of objects and object categories. In the
present study we will use fMRI data from 15 subjects who watched a 6.5 minute fragment from
a feature film (Pippi Longstocking, 1969) and investigate how neural patterns are tuned towards
different visual properties of the film. Based on the previous literature, low level visual features
are expected to be encoded in the primary visual cortex, and higher level features related to
object processing are expected to be encoded more in the inferior temporal cortex. The visual
features which relate to the main characters and the story development are expected to be
encoded in posterior middle temporal and frontal cortices. If we can successfully predict fMRI
time courses, we can better understand how the brain processes complex visual stimuli, such as
a continuous feature movie. This work might, in the future, contribute to the construction of
brain-computer interface devices that determine whether paralysed patients process complex
visual information correctly and help them to provide feedback.
31

11:30 13:00
Back to Overview
The role of Rab27a and Rab35 in extracellular vesicle release by

glioma cells
Lieke van de Haar1, Erik Abels1, Xandra Breakefield1 and Marike Broekman1,2
1
Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School,
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
2
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: l.l.vandehaar@students.uu.nl
The past decade knowledge has increased on the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in
transcellular signaling. EVs are vesicles released from the cell into the extracellular space. These
vesicles either originate from the plasma membrane or from multi vesicular bodies inside the
cell. Their cargo consist of membrane and cytosolic proteins and multiple types of RNA. Cancer
cells show enhanced shedding of EVs that often contain altered cargo. The uptake of these
tumor-derived EVs by neighboring cells can spread oncogenic activity. Proteins of the Rasrelated proteins in the brain (Rab) family regulate intracellular vesicle transport between cell
compartments. Rab27a and Rab35 have been shown to allow docking of multi vesicular bodies
at the plasma membrane to release vesicles into the extracellular space. We test whether vesicle
shedding by mouse glioma cells in vitro is altered by knocking down Rab27a and Rab35. GL261
mouse glioma cells are transduced using a lentiviral vector containing a short hairpin targeting
Rab27a or an inactive dominant mutant of Rab35. Subsequently, cells are cultured and EVs are
isolated from the medium. Ultimately, the amount of vesicles in quantified using nanoparticle
tracking analysis and tunable resistive pulse sensing techniques. All of this in order to shed light
on the role of Rab27a and Rab35 in vesicle release and to explore the possibility to reduce
vesicle shedding by tumor cells in a therapeutic context.
Motorneuron-myotube co-culture system to study neuromuscular

junction defects in spinal muscular atrophy
Christian D. van t Hekke1,2, Bert M. Verheijen1,2, R. Jeroen Pasterkamp2
1
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht,
The Netherlands 2Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center
Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding authors: c.d.vanthekke@students.uu.nl, L.M.Verheijen-3@umcutrecht.nl

11:30 13:00
Back to Overview
Oscillations of attention within and between hemifields

Elle van Heusden1 and Hinze Hogendoorn1
1
Dept. of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, the Netherlands

Corresponding author: e.m.vanheusden@students.uu.nl
Although we experience a continuous, uninterrupted visual world, recent evidence suggests that
visual processing in the brain takes place as a series of discrete snapshots. In this metaphor,
visual attention plays the role of the shutter, rhythmically drawing samples from the stream of
incoming visual information. This shutter samples are roughly 8 samples per second: when a
participant is instructed to monitor one item for a target, detection performance oscillates at
8Hz. When two items are monitored, the same attentional resources have to be shared and 4Hz
oscillations are observed at each location, with attention alternately sampling the two items.
Importantly, research suggests that dividing attention is easier when stimuli are presented in
different visual hemifields, as compared to when they are presented within one hemifield. This
was taken as evidence for independent attentional resources in the brains two hemispheres.
Following these lines of research, here we investigate the possibility that the two hemispheres
each produce independent 4Hz attentional oscillations. To do so, we measure oscillations in
performance when attention is divided either within or across visual hemifields. Preliminary
results replicate previous reports of hemisphere asymmetry and also suggest that, even within
one hemifield, the attentional rhythm is more dependent on spatial location than previously
thought.
Rein I. Hoogstraaten1, Jik Nijssen1, Suzanne Nichterwitz1, Julio Aguila Benitez1, Illary Allodi1, Eva
Hedlund1
1
Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

Corresponding author: r.i.hoogstraaten@students.uu.nl
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Astrocyte and microglia response in human brain tissue after

aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage
Marije J. van der Kamp1, Bart J. van Dijk1, Elly M. Hol1
1
Netherlands.
Corresponding author: m.j.vanderkamp@students.uu.nl
Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is a severe subtype of stroke causing high

mortality and morbidity in patients. The haemorrhage in the subarachnoid space causes early
brain injury (EBI) and patients who survive the haemorrhage, often suffer from delayed cerebral
ischemia (DCI) or livelong cognitive impairment. The pathogenesis of EBI, DCI and cognitive
impairment after aSAH remains unclear, but reactive gliosis is likely involved in this process.
Reactive gliosis is an acute response of astrocytes and microglia to central nervous system
damage, involving morphological and functional changes of the glia cells. In this study we
investigate how reactive gliosis can affect brain functioning and if it contributes to EBI, DCI and
cognitive impairment. We will use brain tissue from SAH patients and age-matched control
patients to study the amount of reactive gliosis. Furthermore, brain tissue from different brain
regions will be compared, relative to the location of the haemorrhage. Immunofluorescent
markers and 2D and 3D imaging will be used to visualise the morphological and functional
changes of the glia cells and the results will be analysed with ImageJ. With this study, more
knowledge will be gained about glial contribution to SAH pathology in humans, which can lead to
novel treatments for SAH recovery in patients.
The effect of multisensory stimulation on brain connectivity

following experimental stroke in rats
Anu E. Meerwaldt1, Caroline van Heijningen1, Gino Hu-A-Ng1, Annette van der Toorn1, Geralda A.
F. Van Tilborg1, Rick M. Dijkhuizen1
1
Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, The
Netherlands
Corresponding author: anu@meerwaldt.fi
The loss of brain function due to acute lack of blood supply to the brain, i.e. ischemic stroke, is
the leading cause of permanent adult neurological disability. Rehabilitation after the acute phase
decreases the likelihood of death and improves functional outcomes in patients. Many studies
have shown the beneficial effects of post-stroke multisensory stimulation (e.g. social housing
with spatial and sensory enrichment) in terms of functional improvement. However, the effect of
multisensory stimulation on structural and functional brain connectivity remains to be elucidated.
In our study, photothrombotic stroke was induced in the (dominant) forelimb region of the
sensorimotor cortex of adult male rats (n=18). Following stroke ten (n=10) animals are housed
in an enriched environment (EE) for multisensory stimulation, while control animals (n=8)
remain in standard housing. During a period of 26 weeks the animals undergo serial magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) and behavioral tests, such as skilled reaching and grip strength
measurements. Structural and functional MRI protocols enable assessment of intra- and interhemispheric connections and reorganisation in the brain, which we compare between animals
following post-stroke standard or enriched housing conditions. Our research provides new
understanding of the underlying mechanisms of post-ischemic multisensory stimulation-induced
brain plasticity and functional recovery.

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Hyperdirect, direct and indirect pathway contribution to the

triphasic response in the Substantia Nigra
Sylvana Pol1, Giorgio Rizzi1, Kelly R. Tan1
1
Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel

Corresponding author: s.pol@students.uu.nl
The Basal Ganglia is a neural circuit implicated in a number of functions, including motor control,
cognition, and emotions. Dysfunction of these brain structures causes movement disorders such
as Huntingtons disease and Parkinsons disease. Basal Ganglia voluntary movements are
mediated through three parallel pathways: the hyperdirect, indirect, and direct pathways. These
subcircuits connect different input stations with the output nucleus of the Basal Ganglia, the
Substantia Nigra Pars Reticulata (SNr). Electrical stimulation of the cortex evokes a typical
triphasic response in the SNr, composed of an early excitation, followed by an inhibition, and
finally a late excitation or rebound excitation. We hypothesized that each of the three parallel
pathways contributes to a specific part of the triphasic response. To test this, we will perform
loss of function experiments by optogenetically inhibiting each pathway separately using
transgenic mice and taking advantage of the emx1- , A2A- , and Drd1- promoters respectively,
and record the in vivo response of SNr neurons to electrical motor cortex stimulation. We predict
that inhibition of the hyperdirect pathway will lead to a loss of early excitation, and inhibition of
the indirect pathway will reduce the late excitation response, whereas inhibition of the direct
pathway will disrupt the inhibitory phase. Furthermore, we want to test how this triphasic
response is modified in a mouse model of Parkinsons disease. This will give insight into how the
network dynamics of the Basal Ganglia at the level of the SNr change in a dopamine depleted
state.
The effect of serious game training on cognitive bias mitigation

Jackie M. Poos1,2, Karel van den Bosch2, Chris P. Janssen1
1
Department of experimental psychology, Utrecht University, the Netherlands

Department of Training and Performance Innovations, TNO, the Netherlands
When humans are faced with complex and unfamiliar problems, they often rely on a repertoire
of heuristic decision rules. These rules are effective in most situations but they sometimes
produce erroneous assessments and wrong decisions (i.e. cognitive bias). There is evidence that
cognitive biases may be mitigated by improving awareness of cognitive biases and by training in
critical and reflective thinking (CRT). In addition, recent research has shown that training with
serious games brings about more effective learning than with traditional training methods. It is
argued that the realistic and immersive context of a game has a positive effect on learning. The
present study investigates the effects of training (no training versus training in critical and
reflective thinking), and the effects of learning environment (text-based versus gamebased). Two cognitive biases were selected: the fundamental attribution error and
confirmation bias. Subjects in the game conditions play a game called Sherlock Holmes. Subjects
in the text-based conditions read the stories adapted from the game play. Each condition
consists of 20 subjects, summing to 80 in total. Performance measures are collected during the
training and on post-training sessions. It is hypothesized that CRT training will reduce cognitive
bias by improving cognitive reflection. In addition, it is expected that training in a realistic and
immersive environment will be more effective than text-based training.
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Siem van den Reijen1 & Kelly R. Tan1

1
Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland

Corresponding author: s.vandenreijen@students.uu.nl
Visual perimetry based on anatomy using ultra-high field MRI

Carlien Roelofzen1, Alessio Fracasso1,2, Giorgio L. Porro3, Serge O. Dumoulin1,4
1

Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
3
Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
4
Spinoza Centre for Neuroimaging, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: c.a.roelofzen@students.uu.nl
2
Visual perimetry is an essential tool for visual field assessment. Many conditions as optic
neuropathy, retinis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, brains stroke or tumors along the visual
pathways may cause visual field defects or scotomas. All types of standard perimetry tests
clinically rely on subjective collaboration. However, they cannot easily be administered in young
or neurologically impaired subjects. In this study, we aim to introduce a new objective method
of visual perimetry in the clinical practice, based on an anatomical feature: the stria of Gennari.
The stria of Gennari consists of a horizontal band of highly myelinated fibers in human calcarine
fissure, representing the main input stage of primary visual cortex. We hypothesize that the stria
of Gennari will be indicative of aberrant visual input such as in visual field defects or scotomas.
By using ultra-high field (7T) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and taking advantage of the
retinotopic organization or primary visual cortex, the intensity of the stria of Gennari will be
delineated and correlated with the position of defects (scotomas) across the visual field. Myelin
distribution in participants with visual field defects will be mapped and compared with
behavioural perimetry.

11:30 13:00
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Establishment of an in vitro system to model the blood brain

barrier
Erik S. Schild1, Aleksandra Tata1, Chenghua Gu1
1
Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, U.S.A.
Corresponding authors: E.S.Schild@students.uu.nl,
The blood brain barrier (BBB) maintains the tightly controlled chemical environment of the
central nervous system. The BBB is formed by endothelial cells in brain microvasculature which
exhibit specialized tight junctions and low rates of transcytosis. Many neurological disorders are
characterized by BBB disruption. Moreover, the healthy BBB forms a formidable obstacle for drug
delivery to the brain. A better understanding of the molecular processes underlying BBB function
could lead to new insights into diseases, as well as novel strategies for drug delivery to the
brain. Developing an easy to use in vitro model could offer the ability to quickly and cost
effectively study how chemical compounds and expression of genes modulate BBB function.
Major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2a (Mfsd2a) has recently been implicated in the
suppression of transcytosis in BBB endothelial cells. We developed an in vitro cell culture system
to allow to investigate the role of MFSD2A expression on transcytosis further. We hope the
effect of other transcytosis regulators on BBB function can also be studied using our in vitro
model. These results could in turn pave the way to novel ways of manipulating BBB function for
drug delivery or disease treatment.
The cost of a saccade: The influence of availability of the external

world on visual short term memory
Rosyl Somai1, Stefan Van der Stigchel1
1
Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, the Netherlands

Corresponding author: r.s.somai@uu.nl
Models of working memory assume an internal representation of the visual world which is
maintained by visual working memory (VWM). Much of the research on VWM focuses on its
maximum capacity. Although this is informative, it gives little insight in the working of VWM in
natural viewing behavior and corresponding interactions within VWM. To gain more insight in
VWM, the input of the system, the external world needs to be taken into account. We
hypothesize that the external world functions as an external memory and that the availability of
the external world effects the level of utilization of internal visual memory. To test this, we will
use the paradigm of the copying task. In this task participants will be asked to copy a model into
a workspace using building blocks. The availability of the model will be manipulated by
modifying the presence of the model after a saccade from the workspace to the model. This will
be done by removing the model after a saccade towards the model and introducing a delay in
presentation time after the saccade, which induces costs to the saccade. The capacity of VWM is
measured as the fixation duration while viewing the model. By not focusing on the maximum
capacity of the system, we can investigate the influence of the external world on VWM as it
would be of influence in daily life. We expect that less availability of the external world leads to a
higher utilization of VWM.
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Marjolein Versteeg1, Joanna A. Korecka1, Ole Isacson1

1
Neuroregeneration Institute, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
Corresponding author: m.versteeg3@students.uu.nl
39
Oral session 6 Wednesday May 11th: Reward Systems 13:00 14:00

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Anna Hoefnagels1, Vronne de Vrind1, Ruud van Zessen1, Roger Adan1

1
Netherlands
Corresponding author: a.m.hoefnagels@students.uu.nl
Bidirectional chemogenetic control of dopaminergic activity in the

mesocorticolimbic pathway
Jodie H. K. Man1, Linde Boekhoudt1*, Mieneke C. M. Luijendijk1, Roger A. H. Adan1*
1
Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht,
The Netherlands
Corresponding author: j.h.k.man@students.uu.nl
The mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system is highly involved in the psychopathology of a range

of psychiatric disorders (i.e. ADHD, schizophrenia). However, the precise nature of disruption in
dopaminergic activity remains debatable. DREADDs (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by
Designer Drugs) have extensively been used to study the role of neural pathways in complex
behaviors. The recent availability of DREADDs activated by distinct pharmacological ligands
enables bidirectional control of the same or different neural projections. This provides a novel
approach to define the causal role of the mesocorticolimbic pathway in psychiatric-related
behavior in vivo. Here, Gq-coupled human muscarinic-based DREADD (hM3Dq) and Gi-coupled
kappa-opioid receptor DREADD (KORD) are simultaneously expressed in mesocorticolimbic
dopaminergic neurons by injecting CRE-dependent adeno-associated viruses for hM3Dq and
KORD into the ventral tegmental area of transgenic rodent CRE-lines. Using distinct
pharmacological ligands selective for hM3Dq or KORD we may sequentially enhance and silence
mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic signaling, respectively, and study consequent changes in
behavior (e.g. locomotor activity, motivation) within the same animal. This will improve our
understanding of how altered dopaminergic signaling in the mesocorticolimbic pathway induces
psychiatric-related changes in behavior. Moreover, our study will give us more insight into the
possibility and effectiveness to simultaneously use available chemogenetic tools to study the
underlying role of neural pathways in multifaceted behaviors.
Oral session 6 Wednesday May 11th: Reward Systems 13:00 14:00

Back to Overview
Conditional deletion of the vesicular aminergic-associated

transporter slc10a4 in serotonergic neurons
Charlotte A.G.H. van Gelder1, Akilandeswari Balasubramanian1, Fabio Viegas Caixeta1, Klas
Kullander1
1
Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Box 593, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.

Corresponding authors: C.A.G.H.vanGelder@students.uu.nl, klas.kullander@neuro.uu.se
Slc10a4 is a member of the solute carrier family of transporters. Although it is classed in the
subfamily of bile transporters, slc10a4 has been found to be abundantly expressed in the brain.
Recent studies have located slc10a4 in presynaptic vesicles of aminergic neurons, and have
found it to have a functional role in the modulation of aminergic neurotransmission. It was
therefore designated as vesicular aminergic-associated transporter (VAAT). The absence of
VAAT leads to altered signaling patterns in null mice, and increased sensitivity to epileptic states.
This suggests a key role for slc10a4 in the homeostasis of aminergic neurotransmission,
necessitating the study of the role of slc10a4 in other aminergic nuclei, including serotonin.
Alterations in serotonin transmission are observed in multiple diseases, including depression and
several anxiety disorders. The molecular mechanisms of depression are poorly understood, and
characterisation of proteins with potential modulatory roles in brain circuitry is therefore
relevant. In this study, we investigated the effect of VAAT deletion in serotonergic neurons on
depressive and anxiety-like behaviour in adult male mice. Our first results gave no indication of
altered phenotypic behavior in the open field, elevated plus maze, tail suspension, and forced
swimming test. However, knock out of VAAT in serotonergic neurons led to an increase in overall
serotonin levels in the brain, suggesting a change in serotonin homeostasis. Current effort is set
to investigate phenotypic changes in serotonergic VAAT null mice upon chronic stimulation with
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
41
Poster session 4 Wednesday May 11th: Psychiatry and Reward

Systems 14:00 15:00
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Differences in functional connectivity between offspring with high

vs low risk for bipolar disorder
Julia Binnewies1, Matthijs Vink1, Nikita Setiaman1, Manon Hillegers1
1
Corresponding author: j.binnewies@students.uu.nl
Bipolar disorder is often associated with impaired functional connectivity between brain regions,
as measured by resting state fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging). Furthermore, it is
known that bipolar disorder is highly heritable, the risk for developing this disorder is more than
tenfold increased for offspring of parents with bipolar disorder. It is therefore of great
importance to identify factors that might predict the vulnerability as well as factors that might
promote resilience for developing this disorder. It has been suggested that impaired functional
connectivity between brain regions might be such a potential biomarker for an increased risk for
bipolar disorder as there is preliminary evidence that it is also impaired in offspring with an
increased risk for the disorder. In this study the functional connectivity within some of the main
resting state networks will be compared between high risk offspring of parents with bipolar
disorder (n=93) and low risk offspring of parents without psychopathology (n=48). Resting state
fMRI will be used to identify functional networks at rest. It is expected that the functional
connectivity patterns will be different between these groups. Additionally, these differences will
also be related to the presence of a diagnosis of an axis I disorder. For this, the functional
connectivity of 47 high-risk individuals with diagnosis will be compared to 46 high-risk individuals
without diagnosis and 39 low-risk individuals without diagnosis. Moreover we will look at the
effects of age, IQ and stressful life events on the connectivity within networks.
Jantina T.H. Brummelman1,2, Fahimeh Darki2, Torkel Klingberg2, & Caroline M.M. Junge3
1
Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
3
Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, The
Netherlands
2

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Deep-coverage exome sequencing of the DRD2 gene using a

schizophrenia case-control-relatives design
Diego Fuentes1, Raha Pazoki1, Jurjen J. Luykx1 and Jan H. Veldink1
1
Department of Neurogenetics, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: d.fuentespalacios@students.uu.nl
The dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) has been described as a major element in the regulation of
the dopaminergic pathways in the brain, which in turn are assumed to be critical in the etiology
of schizophrenia (SCZ). The Psychiatric Genomics ConsortiumSchizophrenia Workgroup (PGCSCZ) recently published a genome-wide association study (GWAS), identifying over a hundred
loci associated with this disorder, with the DRD2 as the most biologically plausible. However, no
functional genetic variants in or surrounding DRD2 have been associated with SCZ. With the aim
of fine mapping SCZ-risk loci within DRD2, we performed next-generation exome sequencing of
DRD2. We used MiSeq to allow extremely deep coverage. For statistical analysis we performed
burden testing to interrogate the load of functional variants scattered across the exons. We thus
hope to unravel potential novel targets for drug development, thereby closing the gap between
GWAS and the clinic in one of the most complex psychiatric disorders.
Esther M. Hazelhoff1, Jeffrey Prijn, Mieneke C.M. Luijendijk1, Kathy C.G. de Git1, Roger A.H.
Adan1, Geoffrey van der Plasse1
1
Netherlands
Corresponding author: e.m.hazelhoff@students.uu.nl
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Understanding cognitive rigidity in adolescents with anorexia

nervosa
Miriam Hoffmann-Harnisch1, Lot Sternheim1
1
Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University

M.I.Hoffmann-Harnisch@students.uu.nl
L.C.Sternheim@uu.nl
It is theorized that cognitive rigidity (the inability to let go of conscious or unconscious rules) is a
key part of the psychopathology of anorexia nervosa (AN). Cognitive rigidity in adult AN patients
is linked to impairments in set-shifting (the cognitive ability to switch tasks, or rules within a
task, flexibly) and may be linked to impairments in implicit learning (including priming, classical
conditioning and procedural learning). However, it is as yet unclear whether adolescents with AN
have similar impairments in these abilities, and if so, how they are linked to the severity of their
eating disorder (including BMI), and other clinical symptoms of AN (including depression and
anxiety). We therefore asked adolescents aged 12-17 who have been diagnosed with AN as well
as healthy control adolescents to do two neuropsychological tasks (Houses & Castles task to
measure set-shifting abilities, Spatial Frequency Task to measure implicit learning) and fill out an
array of clinical questionnaires in order to explore how all of these complicated factors are
interlinked. We aim to build a clinically and neuropsychologically valid new theoretical model of
cognitive rigidity that encompasses the results of this data and calculate the predictive value of
this model. This model will aid us in theorizing whether cognitive rigidity, as part of AN, is a
state or trait impairment and how it influences or is influenced by the acute illness, as well as
theorize about biological markers of AN.
The role of amygdalocortical connectivity in decision-making

behavior
Christiaan F.M. Huffels1, Jeroen P.H. Verharen1, Mieneke C.M. Luijendijk1, Roger A.H. Adan1,
Louk J.M.J. Vanderschuren2
1
Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, , The
Netherlands, 2Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioural Neuroscience, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: c.f.m.huffels@students.uu.nl
Neuropsychological disorders are often associated with decision-making deficits. A variety of

brain regions is involved in processes related to decision-making. These regions include frontal
cortical domains, like the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), as well as
subcortical structures belonging to the limbic system, of which the basolateral amygdala (BLA)
constitutes an important part. However, the precise aspects of decision-making in which these
BLA-cortical projections are important are yet unknown. Here we show that BLA-cortical
connectivity is involved in probabilistic aspects of decision-making and the modulation of choice
behavior by fear. In addition, we investigated the effect of silencing BLA-cortical projections on
adaptive choice behavior regarding devaluation and upvaluation of choice options. To establish
this, we irreversibly silenced the BLA-medial PFC and BLA-lateral OFC projections using an
adeno-associated virus. In a probabilistic discounting paradigm, we found that silencing these
pathways resulted in an increased likelihood of choosing the economically most beneficial option.
Furthermore, the same alterations in brain connectivity resulted in decreased sensitivity to a
tone previously associated with an aversive footshock, using a conditioned suppression
paradigm. However, we found no effect on adaptive choice behavior involving upvaluation of
reward in a reversal learning task. Our results demonstrate in what way these BLA-cortical
projections contribute to choice behavior, particularly focusing on probabilistic and
environmental aspects of choice. Altogether, this study elucidates the role of amygdalocortical
connections in decision-making deficits and may form a starting point for future research dealing
with neuropsychiatric disorders affected by decision-making deficits.

Systems 14:00 15:00
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Maayke Klaver1, Maya Schutte1, Edwin van Dellen1, Ren Mandl1, Iris Sommer1
1
Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht & Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, the Netherlands
Corresponding author: m.klaver@umcutrecht.nl
Jasper O. Nuninga1, Marc M. Bohlken1, Ania Fiksinski1, Elemi J. Breetvelt, Sasja, N. Duijff Ren C.
W. Mandl1 & Jacob A. S. Vorstman1
1
Netherlands
45

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Lynn van Olst1, Charlotte Madore1, Oleg Butovsky1

1
Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard
Medical School, Boston, MA
Corresponding author: l.vanolst@students.uu.nl
A potentially regulatory effect of depression on social capacity in

men and women with Autism
Claire R. Smid1, Amber N. V. Ruigrok1, Richard A. I. Bethlehem1, Paula Smith1, & Simon BaronCohen1
1
Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Corresponding author: cs860@cam.ac.uk
Individuals with autism have difficulties with understanding emotions and empathizing. In
previous literature, psychological tests that measure specific social skills such as the Empathy
Quotient (EQ), Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET)
and the Karolinska Directed Emotional Faces (KDEF) test show distinctions in performance
between individuals with and without autism. Autism has also been shown to have high
comorbidity with psychiatric illnesses, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The aim of this
study was to investigate whether depression had an effect on the performance on these tests.
The study existed of two experiments. For the first experiment, participant data was sampled
from the Cambridge Autism Research Database, a database for both individuals with Autism (A)
and typically developing individuals (TD). For the EQ and AQ test, a sample of a total 907 As and
1755 TDs was analyzed, for the RMET test 337 As and 450 TDs and for the KDEF test 343 As
and 491 TDs. For the second experiment, participant data was sampled from the MRC-AIMS
consortium. Only participants scanned from the Cambridge site were selected, which gave a
total sample of 67 As and 68 TDs. A mediation analysis was conducted using the structural
equation model software LAVAAN in R. Diagnosis was used as the independent variable,
depression as the mediator and the performance measures of the four test were used as the
dependent variable in each analysis.

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Anne Snelting1, Martin Verkuyl2, and Johan Garssen3

1
Master Neuroscience and Cognition, Utrecht University, Netherlands

Advanced Medical Nutrition, Nutricia Research, Utrecht Netherlands
3
Immunopharmacology of nutrition, Utrecht University, Netherlands
2
Can the synergy between HPA axis and SNS activity predict
generalisation of fear to new contexts?
Danille M. van Spijker1, Milou S.C. Sep1,2, Elbert Geuze1, Marian Jols2
1
Research Centre Military Mental Health Care, Dutch Ministry of Defence, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Netherlands
Corresponding author: d.m.vanspijker@students.uu.nl
2
Contexts play a crucial role in the interpretation and recollection of threatening events. The
inability to use context information could lead to generalisation of fear memories across
contexts, predisposing one to several stress- and trauma-related disorders (e.g. PTSD). Previous
research suggests that stress can have a profound impact on contextual fear learning, in which
timing plays a crucial role. Regulation of the stress response can mainly be attributed to two
physiological systems, the hypothalamus-pituitary-axis (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous
system (SNS), of which salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase (sAA), respectively, are reliable
markers. However, little is known about possible cross-regulatory effects between these systems
in response to stress, and certainly not about subsequent effects of this interplay in the
generalisation of fear. This study aims to explore whether an interaction between salivary
cortisol and sAA, induced by psychosocial stress, can predict participants fear potentiated startle
responses in a new context. This will be done by implementing a contextual fear generalisation
paradigm in 120 healthy male participants, in a time-dependent manner. It is hypothesized that
the ability to contextualise threatening information will be deteriorated shortly after stress, but
improved in the more advanced stages of the stress response. Additionally, it is expected that
greater symmetries (i.e. similar activation patterns) as compared to asymmetries in cortisol and
sAA levels will better predict context-dependent fear generalisation and thus can be accountable
for the variance in responses to a greater extent.
47

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The neural basis of social exclusion in patients with borderline

personality disorder
Giedre Stripeikyte1, Johannes Wrege1, Claudia Lenz1, Stefan Bogwardt1
1
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Switzerland

Corresponding Author: giedre.stripeikyte@upkbs.ch
One of the key features of borderline personality disorder (BPD) is increased fear of
abandonment. Patients with BPD feel more excluded compared to healthy controls (HC) during
expected and received rejections. In order to reveal neural networks responsible for social
exclusion the virtual ball-tossing game called Cyberball is applied during fMRI approach. The
game consists of three pre-defined conditions: control (implicit exclusion), inclusion and explicit
exclusion. In total 42 BPD patients and 29 HC are included in the study. Subjective experiences
of exclusion were assessed before and after the task. The goal of this research project is to gain
insight in the neural networks underlying in exclusion perception and processing. We
hypothesize that compared to HC BPD patients show alterations in functional activity during the
Cyberball task. We also expect compensatory over-engagement in inhibitory areas as well as
engagement of additional cognitive areas, e.g. in parietal and dorso-frontal regions. On the
behavioral level, we assume that BPD patients would experience more feelings of anger during
exclusion, and compared to HCs social interaction in all conditions would be linked to alterations
in activation pattern of BOLD-signaling. We predict enhanced BOLD-activation in the dACC,
insula, mPFC and precuneus in BPD patients compared to HC.
Neural encoding of cue-reward associations by orbitofrontal

cortical neurons projecting to the VTA
Elisa S. Voets1,2, Vijay M. K. Namboodiri2, James M. Otis2, Garret D. Stuber2
1
Departments of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Corresponding authors: e.s.voets@students.uu.nl, garret_stuber@med.unc.edu
2
Environmental cues can direct behavior to allow reward consumption, a phenomenon that is
critical for survival. However, the basic mechanisms that contribute to cue-reward processing are
unclear. Previous investigations reveal that activity of dopamine neurons within the ventral
tegmental area (VTA) is critical for the prediction of reward availability based on environmental
cues. One potential source of this cue information is the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a frontal
structure that innervates the VTA and is thought to be involved in reward value and reward
learning. Despite this, the natural activity dynamics and function of OFC to VTA neurons for
reward processing is unknown. In this study, we will identify how OFC to VTA neurons encode
cue-reward information by imaging these neurons in awake, head-fixed animals. To monitor the
activity dynamics of these projection-specific neurons, in vivo calcium imaging will be performed
using two-photon microscopy in these mice. Next, we will identify how OFC to VTA neurons
contribute to cue-induced motivated behavior by optogenetically activating and silencing these
neurons in awake, head-fixed mice. These data will identify how a basic and well-known circuit
contributes to reward-seeking behavior.

Systems 14:00 15:00
Back to Overview
Effects of Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-10 on Serotonin

Transporter Expression
Thecla A. van Wageningen1, Paul Forsythe1
1
Body-Brain institute, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada

Corresponding author: vanwaget@mcmaster.ca
The cytokine-sickness theory of depression proposes that depression is caused by a maladaptive

reaction to elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines. This theory is supported by cytokineadministration studies, where administration of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6
and interleukin-1 lead to depressive behaviours. Several other psychiatric disorders such as
autism and schizophrenia are also characterized by increased serum cytokine levels. However, it
remains unclear if elevated cytokine serum levels also lead to elevated brain cytokine levels and
what their effect on the brain is.
It has been shown that in depressed patients, the increase of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6
levels is accompanied by a decrease of the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10. It has been
proposed that this skewed balance in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines
ultimately leads to depressive symptoms. It has been shown that both interleukin-6 and
interleukin-10 can separately affect serotonin-transporter (SERT) expression. Drugs used
currently for treatment of depression and anxiety, such as the selective serotonin-reuptake
inhibitors, also target SERT. This could prove a possible mechanism of how the immune system
affects the brain. In this study, HEK-293 cells transfected with SERT are incubated with
interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 at various concentrations. Subsequently, expression of SERT and
interleukin-6 receptor is measured to investigate the possible effect of these cytokines.
Furthermore, expression of SERT and interleukin-6 receptor is investigated when several
concentrations of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 are combined to simulate a skewed balance
between the two cytokines. Results from this study could give us more insight in the
mechanisms behind the effect of the immune system of the brain.
Investigating face representations in schizophrenia using reverse

correlation image classification
Jelmer Zondergeld1, Ron Dotsch2, Henk Aarts2, Neeltje van Haren1
1
Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: j.j.zondergeld@uu.nl
2
Humans rapidly and automatically process and evaluate face stimuli, extracting key social cues
(such as approachability and emotional state) and trait judgments (such as trustworthiness and
attractiveness). Previous studies have indicated that these processes are impaired in
schizophrenia, in line with more general deficits in social cognition. However, these studies are
limited to showing impaired performance on face evaluation tasks and do not address potential
underlying deficits. Furthermore, conventional methods for investigating mental representations
of faces (which may underlie the face processing deficits in schizophrenia) are limited because
knowledge about face processing is difficult to verbalize, either because diagnostic features lack
verbal descriptors, or introspective knowledge about these features is lacking. We use reverse
correlation image classification to investigate the mental representation of trustworthiness in
schizophrenia, avoiding the limitations of conventional methods. We thereby improve upon
previous research by investigating not just whether deficits are present but also investigating
properties of the corresponding mental representation (in which the performance deficits may be
rooted).
49

Systems 14:00 15:00
Back to Overview
The role of the habenula in control over cocaine selfadministration in rats
Koen van der Zouwen1, Maryse Minnaard1, Annemarie M. Baars1, Jos G. Lozeman-van t
Klooster1, Louk J.M.J. Vanderschuren1, Heidi M.B. Lesscher1
1
Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: C.L.vanderzouwen@students.uu.nl
An important step in the process of addiction is the progression from impulsive substance use to
compulsive use. One of the indications that drug use has become compulsive is that there is loss
of control over drug use in circumstances where it may be hazardous. This has also been
demonstrated in an animal model of addiction using a conditioned suppression test, in which a
tone, that was associated with foot shocks, functions as a warning signal. Rats with limited
exposure to cocaine or alcohol will then decrease their substance seeking behavior upon
confrontation with the tone, whereas the same rats with prolonged cocaine or alcohol exposure
no longer suppress their substance seeking, suggesting loss of control over substance seeking.
However, it remains largely unclear which neural mechanisms cause loss of control over
substance use. The habenula is a small diencephalic structure that has been shown to be
important in relaying negative stimuli to the brains reward system. As such, the habenula might
be involved in the development of loss of control over substance use. The aim of this project is
to study the role of the habenula in loss of control over cocaine seeking. To address this, the
habenula of rats with limited cocaine exposure will be inactivated during a conditioned
suppression test by infusing a mixture of GABA agonists into the habenula. We expect that
inactivation of the habenula reduces conditioned suppression, mimicking loss of control over
cocaine seeking as was observed after extensive cocaine exposure.
Participating Students
Back to Overview
Albena Vassileva
Andromachi Tsouli
Anna Hoefnagels
Anne Snelting
Annemiek van Berkel
Anu Meerwaldt
Beorn Nijenhuis
Carlien Roelofzen
Charlotte van Gelder
Christiaan Huffels
Christian van 't Hekke
Claire Smid
Claudia Amboni
Cosette Cornelis
Danil Puntman
Danille Bruel
Danille van Spijker
David de Wied
Despina Demenega
Diego Fuentes
Dirk Jan Ardesch
Elias Brandorff
Eline Kraaijenvanger
Elisa Voets
Elle van Heusden
Emma Everaert
Erik Schild
Esther Hazelhoff
Femke van Kalken
Frederieke Gigase
Giedre Stripeikyte
Hannah Spencer
Hester Meeusen
Hilde van den Brink
Igor Lusin
Jackie Poos
Jantina Brummelman
Jasper Nuninga
Jelmer Zondergeld
Jessy van Asperen
Jodie Man
Joran Schulte
Julia Binnewies
Julia Boere
Julia Broekhuizen
Julian Vlasblom
Jutta de Jong
Kayla Green
Kim Kijk in de Vegt
Kirsten Sparnaaij
Klara Jansen
Koen van der Zouwen
Lianne Hulshof
Lieke van de Haar
Lisa Scheefhals
Lotte Herstel
Louise Martens
Luis Csedas
Lynn van Olst
Maayke Klaver
Marc van den Heerik
Marieke Weijs
Marije van der Kamp
Marjolein Versteeg
Maud Buseman
Maxime Verwoert
Michle Olsthoorn
Michelle de Goeij
Miriam Hoffmann-Harnisch
Miryea Ruiz
Myrna Kelfkens
Naomi Vlegels
Nienke van Bueren
Nina van Bruggen
Paul Hop
Petra van Soldt
Philip Brandner
Rein Hoogstraaten
Renate de Bock
Robin Goudeketting
Roel van Hooijdonk
Rosyl Somai
Sanne Beerens
Siem van den Reijen
Stefanie Trinh
Sylvana Pol
Thecla van Wageningen
Valeria Bonapersona
Viktoriia Chubar
Wouter Beenker
Zo Cox-Putker

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Mind the Brain symposium 2016

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Wednesday May 11th

Oral Presentations Tuesday May 10th

Session 1: Development 10:30 - 11:30

Session 2: Neurology 14:00 - 15:00

Session 3: Social neuroscience 16:00 - 17:00

Poster presentations Tuesday May 10th

Session 1: Stress, fear, and connections 11:30 - 13:00

The role of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in discrimination between two distinct fear

Abstract not made available online

Session 2: Development 15:00 - 16:00

Morphology and maturation of human astrocytes in a novel 3D organoid co-culture system

Marc van den Heerik

Abstract not made available online

Abstract not made available online

Abstract not made available online

Abstract not made available online

Oral session 1 Tuesday May 10th:

Mineralocorticoid receptor function and early life stress: mapping HPA

Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Very Low Birth Weight

Corresponding author: N.vanBruggen@umcutrecht.nl

Oral session 1 Tuesday May 10th:

L.A. Hulshof, L.M. Will, N. Jonkhout, and C. Hoogenraad

Abstract not made available online

Wouter A.G. Beenker1, Suzanne Lemstra1, R. Jeroen Pasterkamp1

Abstract not made available online

Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th

The role of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in discrimination between

Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

Renate de Bock1, Ivo Heitland1, Joke M.P. Baas1

Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Abstract not made available online

Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th

Brain processes activated during pleasant affective touch and empathy

From a maltreated child to a maltreating parent: testing a

Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th

Dynamics of human fear response depending on threat imminence

Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Kiva microfinance requests with "purpose" decrease stress responses

Center for Neuroeconomics Studies, Claremont Graduate University.

Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th

The effect of soluble amyloid-beta (A) on synaptic inhibition

Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th

Getting together; how epigenetics and family history predict sensitive

Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Proactive & reactive aggression: differences in coalescence of

Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th

Oxytocin and dopamine interactions in humans Insights into

Department of Experimental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Abstract not made available online

Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th

The effects of the circadian rhythm on LTP in the basolateral amygdala

Acute stress: Influences of corticosterone receptors on synaptic

Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th

Dissecting the role of actin in inhibitory bouton dynamics

Differences in electrophyshiological and behavioral responses to ingroup

Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Utrecht University

Poster session 1 Tuesday May 10th