Funded Projects

Fragile X syndrome (FX) is the leading inherited cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Most individuals with ASD suffer from auditory hypersensitivity disorders, an extreme negative reaction to everday sounds. We will use an Frm1 KO rat model of FX to develop a mechanistic understanding of auditory hypersensitivity disorders in FX and ASD that can be used to treat ASD. Aim 1 will use novel behavioral assays to characterize auditory hypersensitivity disorders in this model and high-resolution in vivo electrophysiology to quantify neural hyperactivity in auditory cortex. Aim 2 will use employ whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from auditory cortex brain slices to identify disturbances in excitatory/inhibitory synaptic currents and action potential firing related to hyperexcitability. Aim 3 will employ gel-free LC/MS to obtain high-resolution, large-scale protein expression profiles to discover disease biomarkers and rational drug treatments for neural hyperactivity.