From BDNF to Rett Syndrome: Synapses, Networks, and Social Behaviors in Mecp2 Mutant Mice
Lucas Pozzo-Miller, Ph.D.
Mall Family Endowed Professor for Genetic Autism Research
Department of Pediatrics and Human Development
Michigan State University College of Medicine
Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar
From BDNF to Rett Syndrome: Synapses, Networks, and Social Behaviors in Mecp2 Mutant Mice
Date: March 27, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to noon
In-person: Room G101 A/B, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia
Virtual: Watch via Zoom
About this Seminar
Increased activity of ventral hippocampal neurons that project to the medial prefrontal cortex causes deficits of social memory in autism mice. Reducing the activity of these neurons in the autism mice specifically rescued their social memory, but did not influence any other ways they interacted with other mice. In wildtype mice, this projection regulated social memory in a fashion that was specific to the ventral hippocampal to medial prefrontal projection as opposed to other hippocampal projections, and selective to social interactions as opposed to interactions with objects or spatial memory.
Additional Details
This is a free event hosted by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and co-sponsored by the institute's Center for Neurobiology Research. The Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar Series, which runs annually from September to May, has featured leading biomedical researchers from throughout the country since the program began in 2012. The lectures are also open to all members of the Virginia Tech community including graduate students, undergraduates, faculty, and staff, as well as the public.
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