Skip to search
Skip to main content
Catalog
Help
Feedback
Your Account
Library Account
Bookmarks
(
0
)
Search History
Search in
Keyword
Title (keyword)
Author (keyword)
Subject (keyword)
Title starts with
Subject (browse)
Author (browse)
Author (sorted by title)
Call number (browse)
search for
Search
Advanced Search
Bookmarks
(
0
)
Princeton University Library Catalog
Start over
Send
to
SMS
Email
Printer
Bookmark
Glia and Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Immunohistochemical Analysis of Microglia and Astrocytes in the Hippocampus of Cntnap2-/- and Shank3+/- Mouse Models
Author/Artist
Martinez, Susana
[Browse]
Format
Senior thesis
Language
English
Description
60 pages
Availability
Available Online
Full text:
DataSpace
Details
Advisor(s)
Gould, Elizabeth
[Browse]
Department
Princeton University. Department of Psychology
[Browse]
Class year
2016
Summary note
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders centered on three core deficits: impairments in social interaction, difficulties in communication, and repetitive/restricted patterns of interests and/or behaviors. Although the underlying neurobiological mechanism(s) of ASD remain unclear, abnormalities in neural circuitry and immune dysfunction have repeatedly been implicated in the disorder. Given the role of glia in the neuroimmune response and in modulating connectivity of neural networks during normal neurodevelopment, it has been hypothesized that glial dysfunction may be a primary contributor to the development of ASD. In light of this hypothesis, we examined glial plasticity in the hippocampus of two validated autism mouse models that are based on human genetic findings and display phenotypes reminiscent of ASD symptoms, namely Cntnap2\({-/-}\) and Shank3\({+/-}\) mice. Moreover, considering that previous research has linked reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis with ASD-related behaviors, we also investigated possible changes in adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the two autism mouse models. Although we did not find changes in glial abnormalities that were consistent across the two models or in adult neurogenesis, we did find evidence of astrocyte atrophy in both of the models that is indicative of some glial dysfunction. This study provides the foundation for future studies investigating the precise role of glia in the pathogenesis of ASD in order to develop novel therapeutic strategies for treating the disorder.
Statement on language in description
Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage.
Read more...
Ask a Question
Suggest a Correction
Report Harmful Language
Supplementary Information