Publication Date
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Sherif M. Elbasiouny, Ph.D. (Advisor); David R. Ladle, Ph.D. (Committee Member); Tarun Goswami, D.Sc. (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (MSBME)
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron (MN) death resulting in paralysis and eventually death. ALS has greater prevalence in older populations sharing characteristics with aging like muscle weakness and MN type specific degeneration. MNs innervate skeletal muscles and control muscle contraction through their excitability which is altered in both conditions. C-Boutons are a cholinergic, excitatory synaptic input to MNs and have been studied in ALS and aging but have produced inconsistent findings and undesired gaps. We used immunohistochemistry to label mouse lumbar spinal cord and separate MN types. 60x imaging and automated analysis was performed providing robust 3D measurements. Our results presented similar findings between two ALS mutations with differing changes in a third mutation. We also show C-Bouton input with age undergoes sex and MN type specific reductions aligning with age-related weakness. Finally, we identify C-Bouton similarities and differences between ALS and aging.
Page Count
81
Department or Program
Department of Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering
Year Degree Awarded
2024
Copyright
Copyright 2024, all rights reserved. My ETD will be available under the "Fair Use" terms of copyright law.
