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Lecture 2 Introduction to Neurophysiology research Ilan Dinstein

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What is the cause of autism?

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Dendrites Axon Cell body

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Neural activity

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Modularity

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Where is autism in the brain? What is different in autism

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

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Anatomy - Separating tissues 1T1T2T2T

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Anatomy Cortical thickness

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Anatomy Cortical folding

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Anatomy white matter Tractography Fiber volume Fiber length

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Brain function Neurovascular coupling

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Vasculature

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Changes in oxygenated blood Heeger et. al. 2002

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fMRI experiment

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Experimental results In fMRI we always compare measures over time

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Imitation of facial expression Mirror system areas in autism Dapretto, Nat. Neurosci. 2006 Control > Autism

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Functional connectivity Just, Brain 2004

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During sleep

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Energy consumption The brain utilizes 20% of the bodys energy during rest. Fox M. & Raichle M. Nat. Neurosci. 2007

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Task or rest?

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Synchronization during rest/sleep

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Functional connectivity

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Differences across groups

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Electroencephalogram Control > ASD

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Electroencephalogram Control > ASD

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Electroencephalogram Control > ASD ERP analysis P 100

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EEG coherence Control > ASD Similarity of activity across electrodes.

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EEG and epilepsy Spence, Pediatrics Res 2009 Control > ASD Epileptiform activity Epileptic seizure

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Post mortem studies Brain slices: Control > ASD

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Post mortem studies Cellular morphology Control > ASD

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Post mortem studies Neural numbers and organization Control > ASD

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Genetics Control > ASD

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DNA sequencing Control > ASD

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Identify meaningful mutation Control > ASD Substitution Deletion Insertion

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Determine the function of the gene What is the function of the protein that the gene encodes? Is it involved in neural transmission? Bourgeron 2009

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Create a genetically modified animal model Control > ASD Compare animals with extremely similar genetics except for a specific modification.

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Test animal behavior and physiology Control > ASD