Grantee Research Project Results
Role of Developmental Neurotoxicology in Autism
EPA Grant Number: R824758Title: Role of Developmental Neurotoxicology in Autism
Investigators: Rodier, Patricia M.
Institution: University of Rochester
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: October 1, 1995 through September 30, 1998
Project Amount: $412,372
RFA: Human Health Risk Assessment (1995) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health
Description:
The purpose of this project is to study the neuroanatomy of an animal model of a developmental injury related to autism, one of the most common birth defects. Rats exposed to valproic acid around the time of neural tube closure have already been shown to have changes in the cranial nerve motor nuclei which match those reported in human cases of the disorder. Rats exposed to the same dose and agent will be examined histologically for: 1) changes in the cerebellum like those reported in human cases of autism, and; 2) changes in the limbic system like those reported in human cases. The goal is to determine how well the injury of the animal model matches that of human cases. Using Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin (PHA-L) injections and immunocytochemical staining for anterograde tract tracing, the rat model will be studied for: 1) the projection pattern of axons from the damaged motor nucleil; 2) the projection patterns of neurons in nearby sensory nuclei of the brain stem; and 3) the projection patterns of somatosensory relay neurons from the medulla to the thalamus. The goal of these studies is to determine whether early loss of motor neurons affects the development of connections formed subsequent to the initial injury. Development of an animal model of autism will allow testing of toxic agents for the potential to induce this previously unrecognized form of neural tube defect.Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 15 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 8 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Health, Scientific Discipline, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Physiology, Molecular Biology/Genetics, Biochemistry, Toxicology, autism, neurotoxic, immunocytochemical, somatosensory relay neurons, human exposure, animal model, neural tube defects, phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin, valporic acid, developmental effects, cranial nerve motor nuclei, thalamus, human health risk, developmental neurotoxicology, medullaProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.