Altered Theta-Gamma Coupling in the Dentate Gyrus of PTEN Knockout Mice
Piatek, Isabella
Piatek, Isabella
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disorder associated with disruptions in neural circuit function, including altered excitation/inhibition balance and increased incidence of epilepsy. Mutations in the phosphatase and tension homolog (PTEN) gene are found in many individuals with ASD and lead to structural and functional changes in neuronal circuits. Within the hippocampus, the dentate gyrus (DG) plays a key role in processing incoming cortical information, a function that depends on coordinated neural oscillations such as theta (4-12 Hz) and gamma (30-100 Hz) rhythms. The interaction between these rhythms, which is known as theta-gamma coupling, supports the temporal organization of neuronal activity and memory encoding. While the cellular effects of PTEN loss have been well characterized, its impact on network-level dynamics remains unclear. This study investigates how PTEN deletion in the dentate gyrus granule cells affects theta-gamma coupling. We use in vivo electrophysiological recordings in a PTEN knockout mouse model to compare cross-frequency coupling within the DG to control animals. We hypothesize that PTEN knockout mice will exhibit reduced theta-gamma coupling, reflecting disrupted temporal coordiantion of hippocampal circuitry. These findings aim to provide insight into how genetic mutations linked to ASD alter circuit-level function and contribute to cognitvie deficits.
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Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Senior (Graduating in 2026)
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Poster
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Neuroscience
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College of Arts and Sciences
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Life Science