Control vs. VPA Treatment (IMAGE)

University of Maryland

Control vs. VPA Treatment

Caption

These images of mouse brains compare laser scanning photostimulation maps of all the neurons connected to one central neuron in control mice (left) vs. mice dosed with valproic acid (VPA) to induce autism-like symptoms (right). The researchers focused on neurons in the subplate (SP) region, directly below the developing cortex (CP, or cortical plate), which controls perception and behavior. The central neuron is marked in white, and each colored square represents a neuron that has a direct synaptic connection to the central neuron. Reds and oranges represent stronger connections compared with greens and blues, indicating that subplate neurons in VPA-treated mice form numerous strong connections early in development.

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Daniel Nagode/Patrick Kanold

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