In the healthy brain, excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance regulates normal brain function. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, are intricately involved in brain homeostasis. The role of microglia in E/I balance was investigated using chemically induced seizures on mouse models with defective microglia and it was shown that the knockout models experienced increased seizure severity. Understanding the role of microglia in E/I balance will provide new insights into neuropsychiatric disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Becker, Shannon Colleen

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042618-100708

Advisor

• Srinivasan, Jagan

Year

• 2018

Sponsor

• University of Massachusetts Medical School
• University of Massachusetts Medical Center

Date created

• 2018-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright