SeminarPast EventNeuroscience

Freeze or flee ? New insights from rodent models of autism

Schedule
Thursday, June 22, 2023
16:00 UTC
Sumantra “Shona” Chattarji

Director, CHINTA, TCG Centres for Research and Education in Science & Technology, Kolkata, India & Visiting Professor, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, UK

Host: NeuroLeman Network

Event Information

Host

NeuroLeman Network

Duration

70 minutes

Abstract

Individuals afflicted with certain types of autism spectrum disorder often exhibit impaired cognitive function alongside enhanced emotional symptoms and mood lability. However, current understanding of the pathogenesis of autism and intellectual disabilities is based primarily on studies in the hippocampus and cortex, brain areas involved in cognitive function. But, these disorders are also associated with strong emotional symptoms, which are likely to involve changes in the amygdala and other brain areas. In this talk I will highlight these issues by presenting analyses in rat models of ASD/ID lacking Nlgn3 and Frm1 (causing Fragile X Syndrome). In addition to identifying new circuit and cellular alterations underlying divergent patterns of fear expression, these findings also suggest novel therapeutic strategies.

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