Abstract
Ionizing radiation is connected to neurocognitive difficulties experienced by childhood brain cancer survivors. The cellular and molecular bases of the patients’ altered cognitive function following radiotherapy have been studied but are not known in their entirety. A family of small G proteins, Rho GTPases, are potential mediators of the effects of radiation in the post-mitotic neuron. The present paper used a Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay to examine activation of Rho GTPases and morphological changes of dendritic spines in cultured hippocampal neurons immediately post-radiation. The results of the study indicate a significant decrease in the diameter of dendritic spines of the neurons, but no change in spine volume. There is no significant change in the activation of the RhoA GTPase following radiation treatment. These findings indicate that hippocampal spines are elongated acutely post-treatment, implying loss of synapse density and spine maturity, but that Rho GTPases are unlikely the mediators of this morphological change.
Advisor
Stavnezer, Amy Jo
Department
Neuroscience
Recommended Citation
Paveskovic, Matea, "Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Neurocognitive Impairments" (2018). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 7893.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/7893
Disciplines
Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Keywords
radiation, neurocognitive impairment, Rho GTPases, FRET, childhood brain cancer
Publication Date
2018
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2018 Matea Paveskovic