Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
8-2020
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Michelle Chandley
Committee Members
Gregory Ordway, Matthew Zahner
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting social behaviors. ASD affects 1 in 59 children with males affected more frequently. ASD is postulated to result from excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission imbalances. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling affects ASD by influencing synaptogenesis, plasticity, and survival. Studying early in-utero neuropathological changes within ASD requires the use of animal models. Expression of BDNF-associated genes were analyzed within laser capture microdissected pyramidal neurons from the anterior cingulate cortex of male and female BTBR and valproic acid mouse models. No expression differences were found in any gene comparing the three groups. Gender comparisons did identify differences in NTRK2 and EFNB2. Significant correlations of gene expression were identified for male NTRK2 with EFNB2 and GRIN1 and EFNB2 with GRIN1 and female BDNF with GRIN1 expressions (p
Document Type
Thesis - embargo
Recommended Citation
Owens, Misty, "BDNF-Related Gene Expression of Laser Capture Microdissected Glutamate Neurons from the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3805. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3805
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.