Brain Circuitry and Autism

With Dr. Mclean Bolton

A sharper picture of autism.

From the lab of Dr. Mclean Bolton

While awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased, our understanding of its neurological basis is just emerging. In her research, Dr. McLean Bolton identified how ASD associated genes alter neural circuits which may contribute to the social and emotional symptoms of ASD.

Using state-of-the-art ZEISS imaging, her team looks at how specific classes of synapses may be more susceptible to the loss of the ASD associated genes. For example, knocking out one key risk gene reduces excitatory synaptic signals from the amygdala.

The research offers insight into how ASD patients process everyday events as sources of anxiety and stress. And it paves the way for a broader understanding of the brain’s role in complex behavioral disorders.

Synapses on the spectrum

Connections in the amygdala

Genes in developmental disorders

Connections in the amygdala

The amygdala conveys emotions to the brain regions that control fight or flight responses. Here we see connections between inhibitory somatostatin neurons onto each other and distant targets.

Synapses on the spectrum

This image shows a synapse of an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) model, where Dr. Bolton and team have been able to quantify the receptors with freeze frame Electro-Microscopy.

Genes in developmental disorders

TBR1 is a protein coding gene associated with developmental disorders. This ASD model in the amygdala shows reduced axonal outgrowth and interhemispheric connection.

"Comparing brain circuit defects across models of ASD may help target treatments to key neurons or synapses."

Dr. Mclean Bolton investigates disorders of neural circuit function. Building on post-graduate work developing screening platforms for neurological disorders, her goal is to gain understanding on how neural circuits are altered in complex behavioral disorders like autism and schizophrenia.