Reduced Cognition and Increased Anxiety Due to Knockdown of the Mental Retardation Gene Jarid1c in the Mouse Brain

Graham, Kelsey K.

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Reduced Cognition and Increased Anxiety Due to Knockdown of the Mental Retardation Gene Jarid1c in the Mouse Brain

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The gene Jarid1c plays an important role in brain function. Human mutations in Jarid1c cause mental retardation and autistic behaviors. This study looks into the importance of Jarid1c in specific brain regions speculated to be involved in autism. Knockdown of Jarid1c in BL/6 mice was performed using stereotaxic injection of Jarid1c-siRNA into the hippocampus, amygdala, and cortex. Controls were given a non-targeting siRNA. Behavior testing was performed two days post-surgery and microarray analysis was performed to confirm knockdown. It was found that Jarid1c knockdown in the hippocampus significantly reduces the mouse's ability to perform well on an object recognition test. It was also found that Jarid1c knockdown in the prefrontal cortex significantly increases the mouse's anxiety.

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.

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