Date of Award
Spring 4-28-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Gregory Macleod
Abstract
TBR1 is a high-confidence risk gene for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Haploinsufficient (Tbr1+/-) mice exhibit ASD-characteristic behavioral changes that are often associated with amygdala circuit dysfunction. We investigated excitatory synaptic transmission in the thalamic-lateral amygdala pathway of these mice. Preliminary data showed increased AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic current in 4-week-old Tbr1+/- mice. To examine the molecular basis for this change, we measured the quantity, proportion, and density of synaptic AMPARs and NMDARs in both Tbr1+/- and wild type mice using freeze-fracture replica immunogold labeling. Receptor quantification and synaptic area demarcation were performed sing supervised deep-learning networks. Our results showed no significant difference in the density or proportion of AMPA receptors at synapses of the Tbr1+/- mice.
Recommended Citation
Anthony, Skylar A., "SYNAPTIC COMPOSITION OF GLUTAMATE RECEPTORS IN A MOUSE MODEL FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" (2022). Honors Theses. 8.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/honors_theses/8