Seminar: The impact of an autism-associated mutation on brain circuits of social behavior

Studies in my lab are focused on understanding the mechanisms by which autism-associated mutations lead to the manifestation of behavioral deficits. We specifically ask how these mutations affect brain systems that subserve social behavior and social reward processing, leading to impairment in social behavior. To be able to address these questions, we use a rat model with a mutation in an autism high-risk gene, Shank3, and examine the impact of the mutation on the oxytocin and the mesoaccumbens reward system, both which play an important role in social behavior. In my talk, I will provide an overview about Shank3, its role in excitatory synapses, its implication in autism, and a summary of our published work on the Shank3-deficient rat model. I will also share data from ongoing work in the lab that is focused on studying the impact of Shank3 mutation on (1) the oxytocin system, (2) processing social reward, and (3) the function of the mesoaccumbens system during social behavior. I also plan to share with the audience the challenges we faced along the way, which opened our eyes on the unique nature of the oxytocin neurons and how to best target them using viral tools.

This seminar will be offered both in-person and online. Details in attached poster.