Deciphering the mechanisms mediating the dichotomous effects of fever on brain function and behavior

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The animal protocol for "Deciphering the mechanisms mediating the dichotomous effects of fever on brain function and behavior" was approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee on 07/29/2020. Thus far, we have obtained and initiated breeding of 6 out of 10 different bonafide models of ASD and fever-induced seizures. The remaining lines will be generated and received within the next two months. The necessary equipment and reagents for: a) inducing and detecting fevers and b) quantifying seizures and ASD-related behaviors: such as socio-communication deficits, sensory abnormalities and repetitive behaviors, have been obtained. c) measuring the effects of fever on the activity of neurons in the brain have been obtained. Preliminary data has been recorded and analyzed, to successfully reveal the normal neural circuit mechanisms that are engaged in the developing cortex upon exposure to febrile temperatures. Future experiments will delineate how genetic mutations linked to febrile seizures and Autism Spectrum Disorder disrupt or modify these normal febrile temperature responsive mechanisms in the brain.