Lecture 2 – Introduction to Neurophysiology research Ilan Dinstein
What is the cause of autism?
Dendrites Axon Cell body
Neural activity
Modularity
Where is autism in the brain? What is different in autism
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Anatomy - Separating tissues 1T1T2T2T
Anatomy – Cortical thickness
Anatomy – Cortical folding
Anatomy – white matter Tractography Fiber volume Fiber length
Brain function Neurovascular coupling
Vasculature
Changes in oxygenated blood Heeger et. al זמן
fMRI experiment
Experimental results In fMRI we always compare measures over time
Imitation of facial expression Mirror system areas in autism Dapretto, Nat. Neurosci Control > Autism
Functional connectivity Just, Brain 2004
During sleep
Energy consumption The brain utilizes 20% of the body’s energy during rest. Fox M. & Raichle M. Nat. Neurosci. 2007
Task or rest?
Synchronization during rest/sleep
Functional connectivity
Differences across groups
Electroencephalogram Control > ASD
Electroencephalogram Control > ASD
Electroencephalogram Control > ASD ERP analysis P 100
EEG coherence Control > ASD Similarity of activity across electrodes.
EEG and epilepsy Spence, Pediatrics Res 2009 Control > ASD Epileptiform activity Epileptic seizure
Post mortem studies Brain slices: Control > ASD
Post mortem studies Cellular morphology Control > ASD
Post mortem studies Neural numbers and organization Control > ASD
Genetics Control > ASD
DNA sequencing Control > ASD
Identify meaningful mutation Control > ASD Substitution Deletion Insertion
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
Create a genetically modified animal model Control > ASD Compare animals with extremely similar genetics except for a specific modification.
Test animal behavior and physiology Control > ASD