DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/VWZX-N827
Defense Date
2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Anatomy & Neurobiology
First Advisor
Dr. Kimberle Jacobs
Second Advisor
Dr. John Greer
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI) has been shown to cause an array of symptoms in individuals lasting up to several years. Several publications have lead researchers to believe that parvalbumin axotomy and its associated changes with gamma oscillations may be the driving force for these symptoms. Several publications have demonstrated alterations in both resting gamma and evoked gamma by way of parvalbumin dysfunction. Our research analyzed resting and evoked gamma obtained by electroencephalograms (EEG) in nine mild TBI mice and six SHAM mice by utilizing a behavioral test known as the Whisker Nuisance Task (WNT). The central fluid percussion model was used to ensure only mild injuries were being produced and has demonstrated as much as 10% of parvalbumin axotomy. Through the use of several statistical analyses, our data revealed no changes in resting state EEG spectra of injured mice, however; higher frequency ranges of gamma revealed a decrease in power during WNT testing at week one. Our data also displayed an increase in WNT scores of injured mice at week one, which persisted at week four. While our resting gamma results revealed data that is inconsistent with previous publications, it is important to note that our evoked gamma is consistent with several other papers. In order to solidify the relationship between evoked gamma and abnormal responses to the WNT, several future experiments will be considered. Experiments such as changing the placement of EEG devices, recording at specific time points rather than a range of 30 minutes, and utilizing cfos staining to determine the level of neuronal activity will help clarify that relationship of evoked gamma and abnormal WNT scores.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-16-2021