The Analysis of Parkinson's Disease in Mice as Seen Through Astrocyte Morphology
Session Number
Q18
Advisor(s)
Savio Chan, Northwestern University
Location
A-133
Start Date
28-4-2016 1:10 PM
End Date
28-4-2016 1:35 PM
Abstract
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive nervous system disorder that causes the dysfunction and the gradual death of vital nerve cells. The pathology in the nerve cells can cause various motor dysfunctions, such as tremors, rigidity, postural instability etc. Glial cells, like astrocytes, are the most abundant cell type in the brain and ensure the proper function of surrounding neurons and helps sustain the communication in neuronal circuits. In this investigation, mice that are injected with agents that induce PD-like pathology and behavior are used to study astrocyte morphology. In ex vivo slices, astrocytes are injected with a fluorescent dye to fill the entire cell body and their processes. Confocal microscopy is then used to obtain stacked images of the astrocyte in ImageJ. Using a Sholl Analysis, data of the cell body size and total length and branch size of astrocyte projections can be obtained. This data will demonstrate the complexity of the astrocytes’ function and determine the differences in astrocyte morphology in cell from control and PD mice.
The Analysis of Parkinson's Disease in Mice as Seen Through Astrocyte Morphology
A-133
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive nervous system disorder that causes the dysfunction and the gradual death of vital nerve cells. The pathology in the nerve cells can cause various motor dysfunctions, such as tremors, rigidity, postural instability etc. Glial cells, like astrocytes, are the most abundant cell type in the brain and ensure the proper function of surrounding neurons and helps sustain the communication in neuronal circuits. In this investigation, mice that are injected with agents that induce PD-like pathology and behavior are used to study astrocyte morphology. In ex vivo slices, astrocytes are injected with a fluorescent dye to fill the entire cell body and their processes. Confocal microscopy is then used to obtain stacked images of the astrocyte in ImageJ. Using a Sholl Analysis, data of the cell body size and total length and branch size of astrocyte projections can be obtained. This data will demonstrate the complexity of the astrocytes’ function and determine the differences in astrocyte morphology in cell from control and PD mice.