Publication Date
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Robert E.W. Fyffe (Advisor), John C. Pearson (Committee Member), Larry J. Ream (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
These experiments analyze differences in synaptic development in central auditory pathways between normal hearing (CBA/J) and congenitally deaf (dn/dn) mice, which provide valuable insight into central synaptic plasticity corresponding to human congenital deafness. Immunofluorescent analysis of the developmental expression of the calcium buffering proteins calretinin, calbindin d-28k, and parvalbumin at various postnatal time points was performed to assess the effects of altered neural activity on the level and/or pattern of protein expression within these nuclei. Results indicate that the pattern of calbindin and parvalbumin is unaffected by congenital deafness in dn/dn mice. However, the pattern of calretinin expression in the MNTB during development of dn/dn mice differed significantly from that of CBA/J mice, indicating that calcium buffering may be impaired in these synapses without appropriate afferent stimulation.
Page Count
320
Department or Program
Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Physiology
Year Degree Awarded
2010
Copyright
Copyright 2010, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
