translation neuroscience and public policy exam

california deer mouse

A monogamous rodent species known for its strong paternal caregiving behaviors; used to study naturalistic models of parenting and emotional resilience

common deer mouse

A widespread, non-monogamous species used for comparison in behavioral and neurobiological studies.

maternal behavior

Female parental care, typical of mammals, includes giving birth, lactation, nest-building, nursing, offspring retrieval and grouping, grooming, and protection of offspring.

paternal behavior

Male parental care, including nest building, pup retrieval, and grooming, often studied in biparental species like P. californicus (only observed in about 3% of mammals).

mammary glands

glands responsible for milk production in mammals; hormonally regulated and involved in the expression on maternal behaviors

preclinical animal model

A non-human species used in experimental research to explore mechanisms and treatments relevant to human health and disease.

early life stress (ELS)

Exposure to adverse conditions during early development, known to alter brain structure, stress responsiveness, and behavior.

low SES model

 An experimental paradigm simulating the effects of growing up in low socioeconomic environments, often using unpredictability or scarcity to assess neural and behavioral consequences.

Michael Meaney

A behavioral neuroscientist whose seminal work on maternal care and epigenetics demonstrated how early experience shapes gene expression and stress physiology

Paul MacLean

 A neuroscientist known for proposing the "triune brain" model, which emphasized the role of evolutionarily older brain systems (like the limbic system) in emotion and maternal behaviors; all mammals have lactation, vocalization, and play

monogamy

 A mating system involving a pair bond between two individuals, often involving shared parental investment.

Prairie Voles

 Rodents known for their strong pair bonds and high levels of social behavior; widely used in oxytocin research.

montane voles

 A closely related species to prairie voles but typically promiscuous and lacking strong social bonds

Oxytocin

A neuropeptide involved in social bonding, maternal behavior, and trust.

Vasopressin

A neuropeptide associated with territorial and pair-bonding behaviors, especially in males.

Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptors

Protein receptors that mediate the effects of these neuropeptides in specific brain regions, influencing social behavior.

Autism

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction and communication.

autism model

 An animal model used to mimic aspects of autism spectrum disorder for research purposes, often involving manipulations of oxytocin pathways.

Partner Preference Test

Behavioral assessment to determine partner/social preferences of rodents

Down Syndrome

A genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra (third) copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21), resulting in a combination of intellectual disability, characteristic facial features, and increased risk of certain medical conditions. First formally described by Dr. John Langdon Down in 1866, the syndrome has since been the focus of major shifts in medical, educational, and social policy.

feeble-minded

 An outdated and offensive term historically used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to classify people with intellectual disabilities. It was part of a hierarchy of terms (including "idiot" and "imbecile") used by eugenicists and psychiatrists to justify institutionalization and sterilization.

idiocy

A now-defunct medical term used in the 19th and early 20th centuries to refer to the most "severe" form of intellectual disability. Considered a scientific classification at the time, it is now recognized as offensive and unscientific.

Asylums

 Institutions originally designed to house individuals with mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities. In practice, many became overcrowded and inhumane, especially during the early 20th century. They played a central role in the history of institutionalization and the eugenics movement.

sterilization

A medical procedure used to permanently prevent reproduction. In the context of public policy, forced or coerced sterilizations were inflicted on individuals with intellectual disabilities under eugenic laws in the U.S. and elsewhere, often without consent, and justified by pseudoscientific claims of "degeneracy."

eugenics

 A social and scientific movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed at improving the genetic "quality" of human populations by controlling reproduction. It led to discriminatory policies including forced sterilizations, marriage restrictions, and immigration laws targeting people with disabilities and marginalized populations.

normalcy

 A social and political concept referring to what is perceived as “typical” or “average” in behavior, ability, or physicality. In policy contexts, appeals to “normalcy” have been used to marginalize those with disabilities or developmental differences.

Erik Erikson

A psychoanalyst and developmental psychologist best known for his theory of psychosocial development across the lifespan. His stages of identity development provided new ways to understand psychological growth and informed educational and therapeutic approaches to individuals with developmental challenges; his son was born with Down syndrome so he locked him away in an institution and told his family (including his wife) that the baby died

Maragret Mead

 A cultural anthropologist who emphasized the role of culture and environment in shaping human development. Her cross-cultural studies challenged Western assumptions about childhood, adolescence, gender, and intelligence—indirectly influencing broader debates about the nature of developmental differences.

Buck v Bell (1927)

A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of a Virginia law allowing forced sterilization of individuals deemed “unfit to reproduce,” including those labeled “feeble-minded.” Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’ infamous opinion stated: “Three generations of imbeciles are enough.” The decision legitimized thousands of involuntary sterilizations in the U.S.

degeneracy

A now-discredited theory suggesting that social problems and intellectual disability stemmed from inherited “defective” traits. Used to justify eugenic policies and institutionalization, it reflects early pseudoscientific views about the heritability of morality, intelligence, and behavior.

Dr. John Langdon Down

 A British physician who, in 1866, published the first clinical description of the condition now known as Down Syndrome. He coined the term “Mongolian idiocy” (a term no longer in use due to its racist implications) based on perceived facial features. Though misguided in his categorization, he contributed to early recognition of distinct genetic syndromes; established an institution actually meant to help and teach people with DS

neurodiversity

The concept that neurological differences such as autism are normal variations of the human genome and should be respected as such.

autistic self-advocacy

A movement in which autistic individuals speak for themselves and advocate for policies that support their rights and needs.

stimming

Self-stimulatory behavior, such as hand-flapping or rocking, commonly used by autistic individuals to manage sensory input or express emotion.

Refrigerator Mother Theory

A discredited theory claiming autism is caused by emotionally cold mothers. Popularized by Bruno Bettelheim, who lacked formal psychiatric or psychological training; buddy didn’t even have a PhD in psychology or related/medical field

community inclusion

The practice of ensuring individuals with disabilities, including autism, are integrated into mainstream community settings like schools and workplaces.

diagnostic criteria

Standardized definitions used to diagnose autism, which have broadened over time, increasing diagnosis rates.

screening

Initial process of identifying individuals who may require further evaluation for autism

heritability

The proportion of variation in autism attributable to genetic differences. Autism is estimated to be 60–90% heritable.

environmental risk factors

Non-genetic influences (e.g., prenatal exposures) that may contribute to autism development.

broadening diagnostic categories

Changes that include milder or previously excluded forms of autism, contributing to rising prevalence.

screening vs diagnosis

Screening identifies potential cases; diagnosis is a formal confirmation by professionals.

epidemiological data

 Data describing autism rates across populations, used to understand diagnostic and prevalence trends.

diagnosis “epidemic” rhetoric

The framing of rising autism diagnoses as an epidemic, which can mislead policy and public understanding.

research funding & politics

The influence of government and advocacy efforts on how autism research is funded and framed.

Cerebellum and Associative Cortical Areas

 Brain areas implicated in symptoms of autism; cerebellum is involved in motor coordination and the cortical association areas influence thought processes (along with white matter)