Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Spring 4-24-2024
Keywords
prenatal alcohol exposure, kappa opioid receptor, expression, anxiety
Degree Name
Integrative Neuroscience (BS)
Department
Neuroscience
First Advisor
Dr. Marvin Diaz
Second Advisor
Dr. Elena Varlinskaia
Third Advisor
Dr. Anushree Karkhanis
Series
Science and Mathematics
Subject Heading(s)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders--pathology; Alcohol-Induced Disorders--prevention & control; Anxiety Disorders--pathology
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term that describes the host of symptoms that may result from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). The incidence of anxiety disorders in children exposed to moderate PAE (mPAE) is twice that seen in children exposed to low amounts. mPAE animal models demonstrate anxiety-like behaviors reflective of those seen in humans exposed to mPAE. Gestational day 12 (G12) in rats is a period during which the amygdala is undergoing significant development. Past studies suggest that mPAE during G12 is implicated in the anxiety-like behavior observed in rats. The basolateral amygdala is part of the anxiety circuit and is modulated by the dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (KOR) system. The purpose of this study was to measure KOR expression levels following mPAE on G12 to determine how these changes contribute to anxiety-like behavior observed in rats across development. Alterations in KOR mRNA levels were assessed using RNAscope in situ hybridization. Results indicate no significant differences in KOR transcript levels or percent opioid receptor kappa 1 (OPRK1) positive cells across age, sex, and exposure. This suggests that changes in KOR expression may not underlie the anxiety-like behavior observed in rats. Results also indicate a greater colocalization of OPRK1 with CamKII compared to GAD1, suggesting that KORs are expressed on pyramidal neurons in the BLA. Further research with a larger sample size could lend a better understanding as to how KOR expression levels change across the developmental trajectory.
Recommended Citation
Agajanov, Margaret and Schatz, Kelcie, "The Effects of Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Kappa Opioid Receptor Expression Across Development in Rats" (2024). Undergraduate Honors Theses. 35.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/undergrad_honors_theses/35