Berkeley Pharma Tech Journal of Medicine

Narcolepsy: Identifying its Causes and Assessing Novel Therapeutic Targets

Mari Ziegler — 2026-06-30

Narcolepsy is a dysfunction of the orexin neurons commonly associated with excessive sleepiness and cataplexy, which is characterized by the abrupt loss of muscle control. Two types of narcolepsy exist. Type 1 narcolepsy is narcolepsy with cataplexy, while Type 2 narcolepsy is associated with the same drowsiness as Type 1 narcolepsy, but no cataplexy is observed. There has been substantial research into the causes and development of narcolepsy, with current hypotheses focusing on both genetic expression and competition, as well as dysfunction in the hypocretin (HCRT) system. Orexin neuropeptides within this system regulate the sleep-wake cycle; therefore, abnormal production of these peptides may lead to narcolepsy. The aim of this paper is to examine the mechanisms underlying narcolepsy in order to provide a comprehensive evaluation of current and emerging treatments.

Addiction Risk, Decision Making, and Mood Regulation: The Impact of Nicotine and Cannabis on Adolescent Brain Development

Vismaya Panicker — 2026-06-30

Adolescent nicotine and marijuana use has been shown to increase risk for addiction, impair decision-making, and disrupt mood regulation—heightening susceptibility to future substance use disorders. Nicotine and cannabis affect the brain's circuits in different ways, but their overall impact on the adolescent brain is remarkably similar. A literature review was conducted to understand the mechanisms and implications of nicotine and cannabis use. Data from 2003 to 2024 from PubMed, PsychINFO, and SCOPUS were collected using key words such as adolescent, nicotine, cannabis, brain development, and mental health. Since adolescence is a time of brain development, consumption of a drug during this time can lead to long-term consequences. Addiction risk and impacts on decision making and mood regulation are among the most concerning consequences. Teenagers who use cigarettes and marijuana acquire heightened risk of mood and anxiety disorders, as these chemicals interfere with the brain's processes for regulating stress. Additionally, initiation of drug use is highly associated with social isolation, low selfesteem, and suicidal thoughts, especially for teenagers with risk factors for mental health. Research is developing new therapeutic approaches and evaluating the effects of nicotine and cannabis on adolescent brain health. This report offers a comprehensive overview of studies investigating adolescent brain development.

Confluence of Cellular Agriculture: Clinical, Nutritional and Environmental Applications

Ella Maclear — 2026-06-30

Cultured cells, grown from animal tissue in vitro, present a novel alternative to conventional meat production, with wide-ranging implications for regenerative medicine, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. On the clinical front, advances in cell culture techniques, scaffold engineering, and bioreactor technologies are cementing the role of cultured cells in regenerative medicine, creating new platforms for tissue repair and organ regeneration. Nutritionally, lab-grown meat can match the high protein content of traditional meat and improve digestibility and nutrient absorption, offering significant opportunities to enhance human health. Environmentally, it offers the potential to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption compared to traditional livestock farming, while also mitigating the risk of numerous animal-borne diseases. This review synthesizes current literature on cultured meat, delineating its potential to transform food systems, public health, and biomedical innovation.

Advancing the Future of Reproductive Technologies: The Formation of Gametes from Fibroblast-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells through in vitro Gametogenesis

Daniella Gutierrez — 2026-06-30

While Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) are widely used as alternatives for people who cannot conceive offspring, many studies have shown the potential of using fibroblasts as an alternative to in vivo gametogenesis (IVG). Fibroblasts can be genetically reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can then further differentiate into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs), the possible precursors of functional gametes. This review examines differentiation pathways, ongoing clinical studies, ethical considerations, the development of test subjects, and future directions of using iPSCs. Therefore, this review evaluates the potential of using skin cells through IVG as a new method of reproductive technology.