Role of Pax6 on constructing brain higher function: in vivo brain imaging study on Pax6 mutant rats

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25861059
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Radiation science
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: HIRAOKA KOTARO 東北大学, サイクロトロン・ラジオアイソトープセンター, 助教 (70586049)
• Research Collaborator: OSUMI Noriko 東北大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 教授 (00220343) ; SUMIYOSHI Akira 東北大学, 加齢医学研究所, 助教 (80612530) ; KAWASHIMA Ryuta 東北大学, 加齢医学研究所, 教授 (90250828)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: Pax6 / 転写制御因子 / 高次脳機能 / 自閉症 / 脳形態

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Pax6 is a transcription factor which is crucial for the development of the central nervous system. It is thought to be an upstream of gene networks involved in brain patterning, neural migration, and neural circuit formation. Patients with PAX6 mutation have been reported to have mental retardation, frotal lobe dysfunction, or autism occationally. In this study, we evaluated morphology of the brain in Pax6 mutant and wild type rats using small animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We found decreased volumes of the isocortex, hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, midbrain, and corpus callosum in Pax6 mutant rats compared to wild type rats. The results shed some light on the role of Pax6 on constructing brain higher function.

Free Research Field

神経科学