The role of Caspr2 in autism spectrum disorder-related gastrointestinal function

Placeholder Show Content

Abstract/Contents

Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are highly prevalent among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the molecular link between ASD and GI dysfunction remains poorly understood. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is critical for normal GI motility and has been shown to be altered in mouse models of ASD and other neurological disorders. Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (Caspr2) is an ASD-related synaptic cell-adhesion molecule necessary for regulating sensory function in the central and peripheral nervous system. In this study, we examine the role of Caspr2 in GI motility by characterizing Caspr2's expression in the ENS and assessing ENS organization and GI function in Caspr2 mutant mice. We find that Caspr2 is predominantly expressed in enteric sensory neurons in both the small intestine and colon. We further assess colonic motility in Caspr2 mutants using an ex-vivo motility monitor and show altered colonic contractions and faster expulsion of artificial pellets. The organization of neurons within the myenteric plexus remains unchanged. Our results suggest a role for enteric sensory neurons in ASD-related GI dysmotility, a finding relevant to consider in the treatment of ASD-related GI symptoms.

Description

Type of resource text
Form electronic resource; remote; computer; online resource
Extent 1 online resource.
Place California
Place [Stanford, California]
Publisher [Stanford University]
Copyright date 2023; ©2023
Publication date 2023; 2023
Issuance monographic
Language English

Creators/Contributors

Author Robinson, Beatriz Gwendolyn
Degree supervisor Kaltschmidt, Julia
Thesis advisor Kaltschmidt, Julia
Thesis advisor Becker, Laren
Thesis advisor Chen, Lu, (Professor of neurosurgery)
Thesis advisor Clandinin, Thomas R. (Thomas Robert), 1970-
Thesis advisor Südhof, Thomas C
Degree committee member Becker, Laren
Degree committee member Chen, Lu, (Professor of neurosurgery)
Degree committee member Clandinin, Thomas R. (Thomas Robert), 1970-
Degree committee member Südhof, Thomas C
Associated with Stanford University, School of Medicine
Associated with Stanford University, Neurosciences Program

Subjects

Genre Theses
Genre Text

Bibliographic information

Statement of responsibility Beatriz Gwendolyn Robinson.
Note Submitted to the Neurosciences Program.
Thesis Thesis Ph.D. Stanford University 2023.
Location https://purl.stanford.edu/zs912zy8154

Access conditions

Copyright
© 2023 by Beatriz Gwendolyn Robinson
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).

Also listed in

Loading usage metrics...