Special Co-Funding with Dana Foundation Grant
2007 Special Co-Funding with Dana Foundation
2007 Augmentation Grants
2007 Innovative Technology for Autism (ITA) Grants
2007 Mentor Based Fellowships
2007 Opportunity and Bridge Grants
2007 Physician/Investigator Beginning Autism Research (PIBAR)
Song-Hai Shi, Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
$100,000 over 3 years
Are neuronal defects in the cerebral cortex linked to Autism?
During development, neurons produced at a similar time from progenitor cells migrate and occupy similar positions in the cerebral cortex. They are layered horizontally, and then connect vertically into columns. In this way, neurons that transmit excitatory messages connect with those that transmit inhibitory messages, forming local communication networks. In children with autism, these neural columns are more narrow and dense than in normally developing children. The researchers hypothesize that these abnormalities are linked to autism, possibly due to an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons, or to impairments in their connections. They will explore this hypothesis in mice with Fragile X syndrome (a genetically caused form of autism). Using two-photon cellular imaging, they will follow migrating neurons into the cerebral cortex, and map their connections using electrophysiology recordings.
What this means for people with autism: This study may reveal how abnormal cortical excitation or inhibition is linked to autism, and lead to improved treatment.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
$100,000 over 3 years
Are neuronal defects in the cerebral cortex linked to Autism?
During development, neurons produced at a similar time from progenitor cells migrate and occupy similar positions in the cerebral cortex. They are layered horizontally, and then connect vertically into columns. In this way, neurons that transmit excitatory messages connect with those that transmit inhibitory messages, forming local communication networks. In children with autism, these neural columns are more narrow and dense than in normally developing children. The researchers hypothesize that these abnormalities are linked to autism, possibly due to an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons, or to impairments in their connections. They will explore this hypothesis in mice with Fragile X syndrome (a genetically caused form of autism). Using two-photon cellular imaging, they will follow migrating neurons into the cerebral cortex, and map their connections using electrophysiology recordings.
What this means for people with autism: This study may reveal how abnormal cortical excitation or inhibition is linked to autism, and lead to improved treatment.
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