Neuronal oscillations in disease (360G-Wellcome-201887_Z_16_Z)

£2,000

Rett syndrome is a devastating neurological disorder affecting females and is caused by mutations in the gene encoding methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Affected girls develop normally during the first 6 to 18 months of life but quickly regress, losing acquired language and motor skills, and later develop seizures, cognitive deficits, and stereotyped hand movements. The development of Mecp2 mutant mouse models mimicking RTT symptoms have improved our understanding of the disorder. Despite this progress, the mechanisms though which loss of MeCP2 affects the brain at the cellular and neural network level are poorly understood. Recent work has demonstrated that loss of MeCP2 leads to alterations in hippocampal gamma oscillations. These neuronal oscillations (30-50 Hz) play important roles in sensory processing, and memory storage and retrieval and thus may contribute to the symptoms in Rett syndrome. Here, I propose to use genetic tools to determine whether the preservation of MeCP2 in GABAergic interneurons of otherwise Mecp2-null mice can rescue impaired hippocampal gamma oscillations. These findings will increase our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that contribute to behavioural manifestations in Rett syndrome.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 2000
Applicant Surname Cowen
Approval Committee Internal Decision Panel for C&S
Award Date 2016-04-01T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2015/16
Grant Programme: Title Vacation Scholarships
Internal ID 201887/Z/16/Z
Lead Applicant Miss Grace Cowen
Partnership Value 2000
Planned Dates: End Date 2016-08-06T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2016-06-06T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Yorkshire and the Humber