Thesis supervisor: Péter Buzás
co-supervisor: Ildikó Buzásné Telkes
Location of studies (in Hungarian): PTe ÁOK Abbreviation of location of studies: ÁOK
Description of the research topic:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by disturbed social interaction, repetitive behaviour, and unusual sensory responses. The broad aim of the current project is to test the hypothesis that the neurodevelopmental derangement occurring in the valproate induced animal model of autism is reflected in the morphology of brain regions, cell populations or synaptic connections involved in the affected behaviours. We will test two sets of structures. Regarding sensory systems, we are interested in visual and multisensory cortical areas. Here, we will compare the distribution and cellular morphology of interneurones between treated and neurotypical individuals. Furthermore, we will examine the amygdala, a forebrain structure important in the learning of social behaviour. Here, we will examine components of neural circuits involved in the learning and regulation of conditioned fear, which appears to contribute to disturbed social interactions of the model animals. Methodically, we will use well-established tests of the autistic traits to score the severity of condition in each subject. In addition, we will introduce pre-clinical tests for quantifying visual perception and cognition. We will then use immunohistochemistry to identify the selected cell populations and map them to the brain structures of interest. We aim to establish a high throughput workflow allowing us to study multiple brain regions and histological markers in parallel within each animal. We will then look for statistical relationship between morphometric parameters and treatment effects.
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2024-05-16
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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