Advisor(s)
Dr. Harry Xenias, Northwestern University
Dr. Savio Chan, Northwestern University
Location
Room IN2
Start Date
26-4-2019 2:10 PM
End Date
26-4-2019 2:35 PM
Abstract
The basal ganglia are a collection of brain nuclei involved in sequenced movements as well as learning goal-directed behaviors, but it is poorly understood. I researched the inhibitory pathway between the external globus pallidus (GPe) and the dorsal striatum (dStr). Over 95% of the cells composing the striatum are of two classes: direct pathway SPNs (dSPNS) or indirect pathway SPNs (iSPNS), which respectively facilitate or inhibit movement. Direct pathway SPNs and indirect pathway SPNs contain different receptors, D1 and D2 receptors, respectively. We used naïve and 6-OHDA lesioned Npas1-Cre transgenic mice in our studies to compare a healthy brain to the Parkinson’s model. By using the whole-cell patch clamp technique to inject the SPNs from the dStr with fluorescent dye while electrophysiologically recording the inputs of the GPe to the SPNs, we studied the synaptic contacts of the inputs using a confocal microscope. After collecting images from the confocal microscope, I analyzed them using FIJI Image-J software. My findings showed that in the naïve model, the iSPN input to the dStr was greater than the dSPN input. However, in the lesioned model, the input of both the iSPNs and the dSPNs was relatively similar. This work will help us further comprehend the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease.
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Cell Specific Pallidal Control of Cortical Striatal Input
Room IN2
The basal ganglia are a collection of brain nuclei involved in sequenced movements as well as learning goal-directed behaviors, but it is poorly understood. I researched the inhibitory pathway between the external globus pallidus (GPe) and the dorsal striatum (dStr). Over 95% of the cells composing the striatum are of two classes: direct pathway SPNs (dSPNS) or indirect pathway SPNs (iSPNS), which respectively facilitate or inhibit movement. Direct pathway SPNs and indirect pathway SPNs contain different receptors, D1 and D2 receptors, respectively. We used naïve and 6-OHDA lesioned Npas1-Cre transgenic mice in our studies to compare a healthy brain to the Parkinson’s model. By using the whole-cell patch clamp technique to inject the SPNs from the dStr with fluorescent dye while electrophysiologically recording the inputs of the GPe to the SPNs, we studied the synaptic contacts of the inputs using a confocal microscope. After collecting images from the confocal microscope, I analyzed them using FIJI Image-J software. My findings showed that in the naïve model, the iSPN input to the dStr was greater than the dSPN input. However, in the lesioned model, the input of both the iSPNs and the dSPNs was relatively similar. This work will help us further comprehend the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease.