Investigation of Sox9 ablation on neuroplasticity and recovery after ishcemic stroke

Another research project for our great stroke association to tackle. Unless you really think your neurologist is smart enough to figure out how to accomplish this by themselves.
http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/2338/

Bethany Robin Lenore Bass, The University of Western OntarioFollow

Room 447 Medical Science Building

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Anatomy and Cell Biology

Supervisor

Dr. Arthur Brown

Delay of Publication

1

Abstract

Neuroplasticity is a key factor in post-stroke functional recovery. A chief inhibitor of post-stroke neuroplasticity is the expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). Recent research has shown that the transcription factor SOX9 is responsible for upregulating the expression of CSPGs in the injured central nervous system. Accordingly, CSPG levels are significantly lower in mice with the Sox9 gene conditionally knocked out. The purpose of this study was to determine how Sox9 ablation affects neuroplasticity and recovery after stroke. Behavioural test results revealed that Sox9 KO mice exhibited significantly improved functional recovery after stroke compared to controls. This correlated with increased contralesional corticofugal plasticity in the Sox9 KO animals, as highlighted by tract tracing studies. An increase in one type of glutamatergic input marker (VGLUT1) was observed at the deafferented red nucleus of the Sox9 KO mice, but not at the denervated the cervical spinal cord ventral horn. Further investigation into the effects of Sox9 ablation on post-stroke neuroplasticity would be beneficial to determine the potential of Sox9 as a therapeutic target.

Recommended Citation

Bass, Bethany Robin Lenore, "Investigation of Sox9 ablation on neuroplasticity and recovery after ishcemic stroke" (2014). University of Western Ontario - Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. Paper 2338.
http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/2338