QBI Neuroscience Seminar: 'Interhemispheric axonal plasticity in developmental brain disorders'
Event Details
- Date:
- Wednesday, 17 May 2017
- Time:
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Room:
- QBI Level 7 Auditorium
- UQ Location:
- Queensland Brain Institute (St Lucia)
- URL:
- http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/neuroscience-seminars
- Event category(s):
Event Contact
- Name:
- Ms Deirdre Wilson
- Phone:
- 3346 6300
- Email:
- d.wilson5@uq.edu.au
- Org. Unit:
- Queensland Brain Institute
Event Description
- Full Description:
- Professor Linda Richards,
Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland
Title: 'Interhemispheric axonal plasticity in developmental brain disorders'
Abstract: The corpus callosum is the largest fibre tract in the human brain. It connects neurons in the left and right cortical hemispheres of the brain and is important for sensory-motor integration, language and complex social interactions. Malformations of the corpus callosum occur in 1:4000 live births, making it one of the most common neurological birth defects. The outcome for these individuals can range from very high functioning in isolated agenesis to severely affected individuals whose callosal malformation is part of a syndrome. Evidence from both human MRI/tractography studies and animal models is confirming that there is a high degree of long-range axonal plasticity in interhemispheric connectivity and that these circuits are not hard wired in a pre-determined manner. Indeed, some affected individuals display interhemispheric connectivity via ectopic axonal tracts. Our objective is to understand what mechanisms drive callosal connectivity and cortical circuitry, allowing for plastic changes to wire the brain correctly. Developmental mechanisms required to form the corpus callosum include both activity-dependent and molecular guidance signals as well as the development of midline glial populations that are crucial for callosal formation. These mechanisms are disrupted in a variety of human developmental brain disorders associated with dysgenesis of the corpus callosum.
Directions to UQ
- Google Map:
-
- Directions:
- St Lucia Campus | Gatton campus.
Event Tools
Share This Event
Print
Email
Share
