Major
Biology
Anticipated Graduation Year
2025
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Prenatal stress (PRS) increases the risk of cognitive deficits in male but not female offspring. This study investigates sex-specific effects of PRS on RNA editing, AMPA receptor expression, and dendritic spine density in the dorsal CA1 hippocampus—critical for memory. Behavioral assays revealed impaired recognition memory in PRS males only. We hypothesize that reduced RNA editing and synaptic AMPA receptor localization underlie these deficits. Through immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging, and qPCR, we will assess correlations between molecular alterations and cognition. Findings may uncover mechanisms of female resilience to PRS and identify targets for treating neurodevelopmental disorders marked by cognitive impairments.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Tristam Buck, B.S., Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago; Michael McCarthy, M.S., MBBS, Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago; Monsheel S. Sodhi, PhD, Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago
Supported By
Funded by the Provost Fellowship
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Prenatal stress effects on sex differences in recognition memory and synaptic expression of AMPA-type glutamate receptors
Prenatal stress (PRS) increases the risk of cognitive deficits in male but not female offspring. This study investigates sex-specific effects of PRS on RNA editing, AMPA receptor expression, and dendritic spine density in the dorsal CA1 hippocampus—critical for memory. Behavioral assays revealed impaired recognition memory in PRS males only. We hypothesize that reduced RNA editing and synaptic AMPA receptor localization underlie these deficits. Through immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging, and qPCR, we will assess correlations between molecular alterations and cognition. Findings may uncover mechanisms of female resilience to PRS and identify targets for treating neurodevelopmental disorders marked by cognitive impairments.