Comparative assessment of the c-Fos expression after PTZ seizures in rats and marmosets

• Grant number: 15/00520-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2015
• End date: March 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Eugenio Araujo de Moraes Mello
• Grantee: Stefani Alves Magalhães
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The search for understanding the human nervous system and differences between us and other animals date back many centuries ago. Nowadays, it is already well established in the literature the most obvious anatomical differences between primates nonhuman and humans brain's, and those with other orders such as rodents. An important work of Novaes (2014) showed that there is not only anatomical differences but also biochemical differences that may explain the cognitive superiority of humans in relation to non-human primates and these in relation to other species. In Novaes study, there was an evaluation standard of c-Fos expression (protein related to various signal cascades involved in key biochemical processes such as neuronal plasticity, cell growth and mitosis) in three brain regions of rats and monkeys after stimulation with pentylenetetrazol. This study aims to assess the differences in protein expression pattern extend other brain areas of interest. We will use 32 rats (Wistar) and 28 monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) which will be sacrificed at different times after induced seizure. The groups for the default mapping of c-Fos expression will be: control (animals without crisis); PTZ 0.5h; 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours. The material will be analysed by immunohistochemistry for c-Fos and the histological count of cells expressing the protein will be performed using the stereoinvestigator program. The findings of this study may help to better understand the most complex and refined primate responses during cognitive tasks as well as its superior ability in terms of learning and behavior. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MAGALHAES, STEFANI ALVES; FORESTI, MAIRA LICIA; BARROS, VANESSA NOVAES; MELLO, LUIZ E.. Marmosets have a greater diversity ofc-Fosresponse after hyperstimulation in distinct cortical regions as compared to rats. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY, v. 529, n. 7, p. 1628-1641, MAY 1 2021. (15/00520-0)