Prefrontal Cortex Network (PFC) Dynamics in Fragile X Syndrome

Daniel Johnston, PhD
Principal Investigator
Jennifer Siegel, PhD
FRAXA Fellow
University of Texas at Austin
2016-2017 Grant Funding: $90,000
Summary
Dr. Daniel Johnston and Dr. Jennifer Siegel at the University of Texas at Austin are analyzing pre-frontal cortex (PFC) dysfunction in the Fragile X model. They have preliminary evidence that Fragile X mice are severely impaired in a prefrontal cortex (PFC)-dependent task.
The Results
Results published J Neurosci. 2017 Aug 2
Prefrontal Cortex Dysfunction in Fragile X Mice Depends on the Continued Absence of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in the Adult Brain
The Science
“We are taking a slightly different approach to treating and potentially curing Fragile X,” said Dr. Johnston, professor, Department of Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, and Director, Center for Learning & Memory, The University of Texas at Austin. “We are studying how a small proportion of Fragile X mice are able to overcome the dysfunction and learn. In this way, function can potentially be restored. If it is not realistic to fix the many neuronal differences observed in the absence of FMRP, perhaps letting nature tell us how a non-FMRP brain can be functional may be a promising approach for intervention.”