Assessment of Behavioral Deficits in Minipig Model of Pediatric Concussion

项目概要/摘要 创伤性脑损伤（TBI）是全球儿童和成人的主要健康问题。相似性 猪和人脑的解剖、发育和神经炎症反应之间的联系引起了人们的关注 家猪作为一种非常有前途的模型动物，用于研究年龄特异性的机械反应， 外伤到目前为止，我已经量化了健康尤卡坦小型猪的基线行为数据。持续期间 训练期间，我将进行一系列行为测试，以确定在训练期间的行为和生理变化。 幼年猪在设计用于模拟小儿脑震荡的闭合头部撞击程序之后。在 在博士后阶段，我计划在大的开发新的神经干预策略的专业知识 动物模型为了便于转移到实验室，我需要利用最先进的成像技术， 为了验证我的治疗效果，我将使用磁共振成像（MRI）作为评估工具， 量化脑损伤猪的神经结构和功能的变化。我将接受全面的培训， 来自人类和猪神经放射学专家的MRI数据处理。拟议的培训计划是 这是专门为我Alesa Netzley准备的，作为一个大型动物， 系统和翻译神经科学家。

Project Summary/Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading health concern for both children and adults worldwide. Similarities between pig and human brain anatomy, development, and neuroinflammatory response have brought attention to the domestic pig as a highly promising model animal for studying age-specific responses to mechanical trauma. To date, I have quantified baseline behavioral data in healthy Yucatan minipigs. For the duration of the training period, I will conduct a battery of behavioral tests to identify changes in behavior and physiology in juvenile pigs following a closed-head impact procedure designed to model pediatric concussion. In the postdoctoral phase, I plan to develop expertise in the development of novel neurointervention strategies in large animal models. To facilitate transition to a lab where I will need to utilize state-of-the-art imaging techniques to validate the efficacy of my treatments, I will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an assessment tool to quantify changes in neural structure and function in brain-injured pigs. I will receive comprehensive training in MRI data processing from experts in both human and pig neuroradiology. The proposed training plan is specifically crafted to prepare me, Alesa Netzley, for a fulfilling and distinguished career as a large animal systems and translational neuroscientist.