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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
 
NAME
Alarik Thomas Arenander
POSITION TITLE
Director, Brain Research Institute
EDUCATION/TRAINING
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION DEGREE
(if applicable)
YEAR(s) FIELD OF STUDY
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI B.S. 1967 Molecular Biology
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI M.S. 1971 Developmental Biology
University of California at Los Angeles, CA Ph.D. 1980 Neuroscience
 
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1968-71   Research Assistant, Laboratories of Developmental Biology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
1972-73 Research Assistant, Neuroendocrinology Section, Harbor General Hospital, University of California, Torrance, CA.
1974-75 Lecturer in Neuroscience and Research Associate, Maharishi European Research University, Seelisberg, Switzerland.
1980-82 Research Associate, Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory, Univ. of Calif., Los Angeles, CA.
1982-87 Assistant Professor, Neurosciences, Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA.
1987-89 Research Associate, Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Chemistry and the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
1989-94 Research Faculty, Neurobiochemistry Group, Mental Retardation Research Center, Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital, Department of Anatomy and the Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
1994-99 Director, Maharishi Vedic University, San Diego, CA.
1999-2003 Professor of Physiology, Maharishi College of Vedic Medicine,
Professor of Maharishi Vedic Science, Maharishi College of Vedic Science, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA.
2003-present Adjunct Research Professor, Physiology, and Maharishi Vedic Science, Maharishi College of Vedic Science, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA.
1999-present Director, Brain Research Institute, Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA.
 
HONORS
University of California Student Grant, 1973-1974.
UCLA Graduate Trainee Grant, Department of Anatomy, 1973-1974.
Predoctoral Fellowship, UCLA Integrative Biology Program, 1975-1977.
Predoctoral Trainee Fellowship, Department of Energy, Associated Western Universities, 1977-1980.
   
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
  • Rubin, R. T., Gouin, P. R., Poland, R. E., and Arenander, A. T., Luteinizing hormone and testosterone secretion during sleep in normal adult men, Sleep Res. 2:23-33, 1973.
  • Rubin, R. T., Gouin, P. R., Arenander, A. T., and Poland, R. Human growth hormone release during sleep following prolonged flurazepam administration. Res. Comm. Chem. Path. Pharmacol. 6:331-334, 1973
  • D. Lehmann, R. Hebert, M. Koukkou and Arenander A. T. Theta Bursts of High Amplitude and Vigilance Level during Transcendental Meditation. Sleep Research Abst. 5:137, 1976.
  • Arenander, A. T., and de Vellis, J.: Glial-released proteins in clonal cultures and their modulation by hydrocortisone. Brain Res. 200:401-419, 1980.
  • Arenander, A. T., and de Vellis, J.: Glial-released proteins II. Two dimensional electrophoretic indentification of proteins regulated by hydrocortisone. Brain Res. 224: 105-116, 1981.
  • Arenander, A. T., and de Vellis, J.: Glial-released proteins III. Influence on neuronal morphological differentiation. Brain Res. 224: 117-127, 1981.
  • Arenander, A.T., B. Lou, W. Sheppard, W. L. Van Zandt, R. S. Hernandez and D. Krieger. Analysis of EEG Coherence During Spontaneous Respiratory Suspension. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 15:867, 1985.
  • Arenander, A. T. Brain state and attentional mechanisms in the transition to a de-excited state of consciousness: A neuro-psychological model of transcending. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 16:1446, 1986.
  • Hernandez, R. S., Arenander, A. T. and Boyer, R. W. EEG coherence and intelligence in children. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 17:467, 1987.
  • Hernandez, R. S., Boyer, R. W. and Arenander, A. T. EEG coherence and IQ: Gender differences in normal children Am. Psych. Soc. Abst. 1988.
  • Hernandez, R. S., Arenander, A. T., Sheppard, W.D., Boyer, R. W. and Dillbeck, M. C. Frontal Coherence and intelligence: A positive correlation. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. 14:1013, 1988.
  • Arenander, A. T., de Vellis, J. and Herschman, H. R., State Transition in Astrocyte Physiology: Early Nuclear Events. In symposium, "Function and Metabolism of Astrocytes." Trans. Am. Soc. Neurochem. 19:23, 1988.
  • Arenander, A. T., de Vellis, J. and Herschman, H. R. Panel organizer. The role of proto-oncogenes in the development and function of the brain. Winter Conf. Brain Res. Abst. 22:8 1989
  • Arenander, A. T., Lim, R. W., Varnum, B. C., Cole, R., de Villis, J., and Herschman, H. R.: TIS gene expression in cultured rat astrocytes: Induction by mitogens and stellations agents. J. Neurosci. Res. 23: 247-256, 1989.
  • Arenander, A. T., Lim, R. W., Varnum, B. C., Cole, R., de Vellis, J., and Herschman, H. R.: TIS gene expression in cultured rat astrocytes: Multiple pathways of induction by mitogens. J. Neurosci. Res. 23:257-265, 1989.
  • Arenander, A. T., de Vellis, J. and Herschman, H. R.: Induction of c-fos and TIS genes in cultured rat astrocytes by neurotransmitters. J. Neurosci. Res. 24: 107-114, 1989.
  • Arenander, A. T. and deVellis, J. Early response genes as potential mediators of phenotypic commitment during glial cell development. Symp. Reg. Gene Expr. Dev. Regen. Intl. Soc. Dev. Nerosci. Abst. 1990.
  • DeVellis, J. and Arenenader, A. Neuronal signals induce c-fos and other early response genes in astrocytes: Interaction among signal transduction pathways. Stanford Centennial Symp. Abst. July 10, 1991, Hong Kong.
  • Cheng, J., Arenander, A. and de Vellis, J. Distinct induction patterns of c-fos and other early response genes by insulin, hydrocortisone in glial cells. Soc. Neurosci. Abst. Nov 10, 1991, New Orleans.
  • Arenander, A. T., Expression Patterns of Transcription Factors during Glial Development. Trans. Am. Soc. Neurochem 23:377, Houston, TX, March 1992.
  • Arenander, A.T., Transcription Factor Network Control of Glial Cell Development. Intl. Soc. Neurosci., 1993.
  • Scully, S., A. T. Arenander and J. deVellis. Expression of Id-Related Helix-Loop-Helix Genes in Developing Rat Brain. Intl. Soc. Dev. Biol. 10:66, 1994
  • Arenander, A. T., Global Neural Ground State: Coherent Brain Mechanisms Associated with Transcendental consciousness. Toward a Science of Consciouness Abst. 1996 "Tuscon II."
  • Travis, F., Tecce, J., Arenander, A, and R. Wallace, Patterns of EEG coherence, power, and contingent negative variation characterize the integration of transcendental and waking states, Biol Psychol. XX: 1-27, 2002.
  • Arenander, A., CAM Modalities: Changing Your Brain, Your Behavior, and Your Body, The Centers for Disease Control Annual Prevention Conference “Investing in Health, the Dollars and Sense of Prevention” Chairing the session on Current Trends in Complementary and Alternative Medicine as Tools for the Prevention and/or Treatment of Chronic Diseases, Washington, D.C., February, 2003
  • Arenander, A., Transcendental Meditation for Improved Neurocardiac Health, Third Annual Mind and Heart: National Medical Conference, Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa, and the School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, November, 2003
  • Arenander, A., Substance Abuse and the Brain, Georgetown University, Ideal Charter School, and The Convenant House, Washington, D.C.; Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, Des Moines, IA; Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Education, Spring & summer, 2004
  • Travis, F., Arenander, A., and Dubois, D., Psychological and physiological characteristics of a proposed object referral/self-referral continuum of Self-awareness, Consciousness and Cognition, 13: 401-420, 2004
  • Arenander, A., Mapping the Prefrontal Cortex:  Implications for Treating the Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor, The Brain Injury Association of Iowa, 12th Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA, March, 2004.
  • Arenander, A., What is Human Potential? Myths, Maps & Methods, The Use of Meditation to Develop Higher States of Human Development through Brain Integration, Coudert Institute, Palm Beach, Florida, April, 2004
  • Arenander, A., Nourish Your Brain: Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease through AyurVedic Strategies. Six-part seminar, The Raj AyurVedic Medical Center, Fairfield, IA, June/July, 2004.
  • Arenander, A., Nourishing the Brain—AyurVedic Approaches to Successful Aging and Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Jackson Hole Wyoming, August, 2004
  • Travis, F., and A. Arenander, Meditation-Effects on Frontal EEG Patterns and Personality Traits: Longitudinal Investigation of the Influence of Transcendental Meditation Practice on Interhemispheric Alpha Asymmetry and Broadband Coherence, Biological Psychology, Submitted, 2004.
   
SELECTED CHAPTERS
  • Arenander, A. T. and deVellis, J. Development. In G. Siegel, R. W. Albers, B. W. Agranoff, and P. Molinoff (Eds.), Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Med.Aspects. Raven Press, 4th Edition, pp.479-506, 1989.
  • Arenander, A.T. and de Vellis, J.: Early events in the hormonal regulation of glial gene expression: early response genes. In: M. Raizada and D. LeRoith (eds.) Molecular Biology and Physiology of Insulin and Insulin-like Growth Factors, New York:Plenum Press, pp.335-350, 1991.
  • Arenander, A.T. and de Vellis, J.: Early response gene induction in astrocytes as a mechanism for encoding and integrating neuronal signals. In: A. Yu, L. Hertz, M. Norenberg, Neuronal-Astrocytic Interactions: Implications for Normal and Pathological CNS Functions, Prog. Brain Res., 1992.
  • Arenander, A.T. and Herschman, H.R.: Primary response gene expression in the nervous system, In: J.H. Fallon and S.E. Loughlin (Eds.), Neurotrophic Factors, New York: Academic Press, 1992.
  • Arenander, A.T and de Vellis, J.: Early response gene induction in astrocytes by neurotransmitters, hormones and growth factors. In: S. Murphy (ed.), Astrocytes: Pharmacology and Function, Academic Press, 1992.
  • Arenander, A. T. and deVellis, J.:Development. In G. Siegel, R. W. Albers, B. W. Agranoff, and P. Molinoff (Eds.), Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects. New York: Raven Press, 5nd Edition, 1995.
  • Arenander, A.T and de Vellis, J.: Early response gene expression in glial cells, In: H. Kettemann and B. Ransom (eds.), Neuroglia, Oxford University Press, pp.695-707, 1995.
  • Arenander, A.T. and Travis, F.T.: Brain Patterns of Self-awareness, In: B. Beitman and J. Nair (eds.), Deficits of Self-Awareness in Psychiatric Disorders, New York, 2004.
   
RESEARCH PROJECTS
 

Impact of TM on Prefrontal Cortex Development and ADHD
The goal of this research is to determine the impact of TM in enhancing the development of executive functions of the prefrontal cortex and in reducing the symptoms of ADHD. (MUM and University of Missouri)

Role of TM in Reducing Symptoms of ADHD in Children
The goal of this research is to document the influence of TM in reducing Disruptive cognitive and motor behavior in children with ADHD. (MUM and Institutions in WY)

Role of TM in Reducing Violent Behavior in At-Risk Youth
The goal of this research is to investigate the potential role of TM in reducing violent behavior in at-risk youth. (MUM and institutions in WY)

Modeling of Brain Mechanisms During TM
The goal of this research is to update a published integrated neuropsychological model of the mechanics of the TM practice. (MUM) (grant submitted)

Brain Mechanisms During TM and Sleep Onset Using MEG/EEG
The goal of this research is to identify brain mechanisms during TM using MEG. (MUM & Henry Ford Hospital)

Brain Mechanisms During TM Using fMRI
The goal of this research is to identify brain mechanisms during TM using fMRI. (MUM and University of Iowa, Henry Ford Hospital, and University of Minnesota)

Brain Mechanisms in Aging and the Impact of Meditation in
Reversing/Delaying the Aging Process
The goal of this research is to further characterize the usefulness of an extended P300 evoked potential protocol for accurate and practical detection and diagnostic evaluation of Dementia and the impact of TM on the aging brain and cognitive function. (MUM and BrainWave Science, Inc.)