I hypothesize that Fgf signaling from the rostral patterning center plays a major role in governing growth and patterning of the rostral telencephalon, including the frontal cortex. The experiments described below are designed to identify the molecular mechanisms that control: 1) Fgf expression and signaling;2) how Fgfs, and other signals, regulate expression of enhancers that drive expression in the developing frontal cortex;3) morphogenesis of the rostral telencephalon (frontal cortex and septum). The proposal has four Aims:
Aim I. Characterize the fates of cells in the rostral patterning center.
Aim II. Identify mechanisms that regulate gene expression in the rostral patterning center.
Aim III. Investigate the regulation of frontal cortex patterning: identify and characterize enhancers that define subdivisions of the frontal cortex.
Aim I V. Analyze roles of Fgf signal regulation in the rostral patterning center: analysis of Sprouty1, 2 and 1/2 mutants. I believe that these experiments will provide a firm foundation for elucidating the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that control development of the cerebral cortex and that may underlie some Human neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism, Schizophrenia, and Epilepsy.

Public Health Relevance

Disruption of cerebral cortex development and function is strongly associated with several major neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. The experiments proposed in this application aim to elucidate basic mechanisms that underlie normal development of prefrontal cortex, an integral region subserving higher cognitive function. This information will provide a key foundation for understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying many psychiatric disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01NS034661-14
Application #
7887569
Study Section
Neurogenesis and Cell Fate Study Section (NCF)
Program Officer
Riddle, Robert D
Project Start
1996-09-01
Project End
2016-01-31
Budget Start
2011-02-01
Budget End
2012-01-31
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$337,969
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
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Hoch, Renée V; Clarke, Jeffrey A; Rubenstein, John L R (2015) Fgf signaling controls the telencephalic distribution of Fgf-expressing progenitors generated in the rostral patterning center. Neural Dev 10:8

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