@phdthesis{Saalmueller2019,
  author    = {Saalm{\"u}ller, Kristina},
  title     = {{\"A}rztinnen in der Nachkriegszeit und den Folgejahren in West- und Ostdeutschland},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-18560},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-185603},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {W{\"a}hrend des Zweiten Weltkrieges waren immer mehr M{\"a}nner im Kriegseinsatz und Frauen blieben in der Heimat zur{\"u}ck. Dieses f{\"u}hrte dazu, dass Frauen immer wichtiger f{\"u}r die Arbeitswelt wurden. So wurde es f{\"u}r die Gesellschaft immer selbstverst{\"a}ndli-cher, dass Frauen studierten und auch Berufe {\"u}bernahmen, welche vorher vorwiegend M{\"a}nnern zugeschrieben wurden. Gerade im Studienfach Medizin wurde zu Beginn der Zeit des Nationalsozialismus versucht, Frauen den Zugang zu erschweren. Als jedoch durch den Krieg ein immer gr{\"o}ßerer Mangel an {\"A}rzten entstand und immer weniger M{\"a}nner ein Studium beginnen konnten, wurden diese Zugangsbeschr{\"a}nkungen wieder gelockert. So stieg die Zahl der Studentinnen an den Universit{\"a}ten immer weiter an und es wurden im Verlauf immer mehr Frauen als {\"A}rztinnen t{\"a}tig. In der Nachkriegszeit und den folgenden 1950er Jahren wurde durch die Politik und die Kirchen in Westdeutsch-land versucht, diese Entwicklung aufzuhalten. So wurde die Normalfamilie propagiert und die Frau wieder in ihrer Rolle als Hausfrau und Mutter gesehen. In Westdeutsch-land fiel durch diese Tendenzen der Anteil der Medizinstudentinnen und Studentinnen in anderen Studienf{\"a}chern wieder ab. In der Sowjetischen Besatzungszone und in der im Verlauf entstehenden Deutschen Demokratischen Republik wurden schon mit Be-ginn der 1950er Jahre vermehrt Frauenkarrieren gef{\"o}rdert, hier konnte ein Anstieg der Zahlen der Studentinnen an den Universit{\"a}ten verzeichnet werden und schließlich auch im Arztberuf. Auch wenn in der DDR vermehrt Einrichtungen zur Unterst{\"u}tzung der berufst{\"a}tigen Frau errichtet wurden, wie etwa Kinderg{\"a}rten, war es trotz der F{\"o}rderung durch den Staat f{\"u}r Frauen nicht einfach, Beruf und Karriere zu vereinen, auch wenn es in der DDR f{\"u}r Frauen weitaus einfacher war als in Westdeutschland. Dort war dies ohne Hilfe durch die Familie oder Kinderm{\"a}dchen noch weniger m{\"o}glich. Um {\"u}ber-haupt zum Medizinstudium zugelassen zu werden, war eine Hochschulzugangsberechti-gung n{\"o}tig, welche auf dem Gymnasium erworben werden musste. In dieser Zeit war es f{\"u}r Frauen durchaus un{\"u}blich, ein Gymnasium zu besuchen und Medizin zu studieren, so zumindest war die Annahme im Vorfeld dieser Arbeit. Stehen die Biographien der {\"A}rztinnen in einem Verh{\"a}ltnis zu den zeithistorischen Ent-wicklungen, wie ist ihre subjektive Wahrnehmung zu dieser Zeit, wie haben sie es emp-funden {\"A}rztin und Frau zu sein und welchen Beeintr{\"a}chtigungen, das Medizinstudium zu bestreiten und den Arztberuf auszu{\"u}ben, waren sie ausgesetzt. Um diese Fragen be-antworten zu k{\"o}nnen wurde die Geschlechterordnung in der Nachkriegszeit und den 1950er Jahre in West- und Ostdeutschland beleuchtet.},
  subject      = {{\"A}rztinnen},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Pennington2018,
  author    = {Pennington, Laura Sophie},
  title     = {The role of Cadherin-13 in serotonergic neurons during different murine developmental stages},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-161331},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Abstract Background: Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ranges among the most common neurodevelopmental disorders worldwide with a prevalence of 3-12\% in childhood and 1-5\% for adults. Over the last decade extensive genetic research has been conducted in order to determine its causative genetic factors. None of the so far identified susceptibility genes, however, could explain the estimated ADHD heritability of 76\%. In this thesis one of the most promising candidates -Cadherin 13 (Cdh13) - was examined in terms of its influence on the central serotonergic (5-HT) system. In addition to that, the Cdh13 protein distribution pattern was analysed over time. Methods: The developing serotonergic system was compared over three embryonic and postnatal stages (E13.5, E17.5 and P7) in different Cdh13 genotypes (WT, HZ and KO) using immunohistochemistry and various double staining protocols. Results: The raphe nuclei of the 5-HT system develop in spite of Cdh13 absence and show a comparable mature constellation. The cells in the KO, however, are slightly more scattered than in the WT. Furthermore the dynamics of their formation is altered, with a transient delay in migration at E13.5. In early developmental stages the total amount of serotonergic cells is reduced in KO and HZ, though their proportional distribution to the raphe nuclei stays constant. Strikingly, at P7 the absolute numbers are comparable again. Concerning the Cdh13 protein, it shows high concentrations on fibres running through hindbrain and midbrain areas at E13.5. This, however, changes over time, and it becomes more evenly spread until P7. Furthermore, its presence in serotonergic cells could be visualised using confocal microscopy. Since the described pattern is only in parts congruent to the localisation of serotonergic neurons, it is most likely that Cdh13 is present in other developing neurotransmitter systems, such as the dopaminergic one, as well. Conclusion: It could be proven that Cdh13 is expressed in serotonergic cells and that its knockout does affect the developing serotonergic system to some degree. Its absence, however, only slightly and transiently affects the measured parameters of serotonergic system development, indicating a possible compensation of CDH13 function by other molecules in the case of Cdh13 deficiency. In addition further indicators could be found for an influence of Cdh13 on outgrowth and path finding of neuronal processes.},
  subject      = {Cadherine},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Balk2020,
  author    = {Balk, Stefanie Margarete},
  title     = {Der Einfluss des Kalziumkanalagonisten R-Roscovitine auf die zellul{\"a}re Differenzierung von Motoneuronen eines Mausmodells f{\"u}r Spinale Muskelatrophie Typ 1 (SMA)},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-18986},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-189861},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Die spinale Muskelatrophie (SMA) ist eine monogenetische Erkrankung, bei der es durch den Verlust des SMN Proteins zur Degeneration der α-Motoneurone im R{\"u}ckenmark kommt. Abh{\"a}ngig vom Schweregrad zeigen die Patienten bereits innerhalb der ersten Lebensmonate ausgepr{\"a}gte L{\"a}hmungen der Skelettmuskulatur und eine Zwerchfellparese einhergehend mit einer reduzierten Lebenserwartung. Mithilfe von Mausmodellen f{\"u}r die SMA konnte gezeigt werden, dass der Motoneuronenverlust bei Smn-defizienten M{\"a}usen mit St{\"o}rungen der Neurotransmission an der motorischen Endplatte und mit Differenzierungsst{\"o}rungen der Motoneurone einhergeht. Die Differenzierungs-st{\"o}rungen prim{\"a}rer Smn-defizienter Motoneurone sind eng gekoppelt mit einer verminderten Clusterbildung spannungsabh{\"a}ngiger Kalziumkan{\"a}le im distalen axonalen Bereich. Dies wiederum f{\"u}hrt zu einer verminderten Frequenz spontaner Kalziumeinstr{\"o}me am Axonterminus und hat eine ver{\"a}nderte axonale Elongation zur Folge. Es wurden folgende Aspekte in Bezug auf die Verst{\"a}rkung und die Induktion spontaner Kalziumeinstr{\"o}me in Mausmodellen f{\"u}r spinale Muskelatrophien in dieser Arbeit adressiert: 1) Lassen sich spontane Kalziumeinstr{\"o}me in Smn-defizienten Motoneuronen durch die externe Applikation von Kalziumkanalagonisten verst{\"a}rken? 2) Sind spontane Kalziumeinstr{\"o}me in prim{\"a}ren Motoneuronen durch den Brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor (BDNF) induzierbar? 3) Zeigen prim{\"a}re Motoneurone eines Mausmodells f{\"u}r spinale Muskelatrophie mit Ateminsuffizienz Typ 1 (SMARD1) ebenfalls ver{\"a}nderte Kalziumtransienten? Die Ergebnisse meiner Arbeit zeigen, dass durch den Kalziumkanalagonisten R-Roscovitine die Frequenz der spontanen Kalziumeinstr{\"o}me im distalen Axon von Smn-defizienten Motoneuronen signifikant erh{\"o}ht wird. Dies hat wiederum einen regulierenden Effekt auf die Differenzierung der SMA Motoneurone zur Folge. Smn-defiziente Motoneurone zeigen somit keine Unterschiede mehr in Bezug auf Axonl{\"a}ngen und Wachstumskegelfl{\"a}chen im Vergleich zu Kontrollzellen. F{\"u}r R- 10 Roscovitine ist neben der agonistischen Wirkung am Kalziumkanal auch ein inhibitorischer Effekt auf die Cyclin-abh{\"a}ngige Kinase 5 beschrieben. Es konnte jedoch gezeigt werden, dass die erh{\"o}hten Kalziumtransienten unter der Behandlung mit R-Roscovitine durch eine direkte Bindung an die Cav2 Kalziumkan{\"a}le verursacht werden und nicht durch eine Cdk5 Blockade. Daf{\"u}r spricht die schnelle und reversible Wirkung von R-Roscovitine, sowie die Aufhebung des R-Roscovitines Effekts bei gleichzeitiger Gabe des Cav2.2 Antagonisten ω-Conotoxin MVIIC. Der zweite Aspekt dieser Arbeit behandelt den Einfluss der neurotrophen Faktoren BDNF, CNTF und GDNF auf die Kalziumtransienten am Wachstumskegel wildtypischer Motoneurone. Der Vergleich der neurotrophen Faktoren zeigt, dass nur BDNF eine induzierende Wirkung auf spontane Kalziumtransienten am Wachstumskegel hat. Der letzte Abschnitt dieser Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit den Kalziumtransienten bei Motoneuronen aus dem Nmd2J (SMARD1) Mausmodell. Die SMARD1 gilt als eigenst{\"a}ndige Form der spinalen Muskelatrophien mit unterschiedlicher Genetik und unterschiedlichen klinischen Merkmalen. Die Motoneurone weisen in Bezug auf die Kalziumtransienten keine Unterschiede zwischen Wildtyp und Nmd2J Mutante auf. Es ergibt sich somit kein Hinweis darauf, dass die Degeneration der Motoneurone bei der SMARD1 von einer St{\"o}rung der Kalziumhom{\"o}ostase im distalen axonalen Bereich ausgeht.},
  subject      = {Spinal muscular atrophy (DLC)},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Bacmeister2018,
  author    = {Bacmeister, Lucas},
  title     = {Effect of Cadherin-13 inactivation on different GABAergic interneuron populations of the mouse hippocampus},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-172693},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Cadherin-13 (CDH13) is an atypical member of the cadherin superfamily, a group of membrane proteins mediating calcium-dependent cellular adhesion. Although CDH13 shows the classical extracellular cadherin structure, the typical transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains are absent. Instead, CDH13 is attached to the cell membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. These findings and many studies from different fields suggest that CDH13 also plays a role as a cellular receptor. Interestingly, many genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have found CDH13 as a risk gene for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. In previous work from our research group, strong expression of Cdh13 mRNA in interneurons of the hippocampal stratum oriens (SO) was detected. Therefore, double-immunofluorescence studies were used to evaluate the degree of co-expression of CDH13 with seven markers of GABAergic interneuron subtypes. For this purpose, murine brains were double stained against CDH13 and the respective marker and the degree of colocalization in the SO of the hippocampus was assessed. Based on the result of this immunofluorescence study, quantitative differences in interneuron subtypes of the SO between Cdh13 knockout (ko), heterozygote (het) and wildtype (wt) mice were investigated in this dissertation using stereological methods. In addition, genotype- dependent differences in the expression of genes involved in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Primers targeting different GABA receptor subunits, vesicular GABA and glutamate transporter, GABA synthesizing enzymes and their interaction partners were used for this purpose. The results of the stereological quantification of the interneuron subtypes show no significant differences in cell number, cell density or volume of the SO between Cdh13 ko, het and wt mice. On the other hand, qRT-PCR results indicate significant differences in the expression of tropomyosin-related kinase B gene (TrkB), which encodes the receptor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a regulator of GABAergic neurons. This finding supports a role for CDH13 in the regulation of BDNF signaling in the hippocampus.},
  subject      = {Cadherine},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Mambretti2015,
  author    = {Mambretti, Egle Maria},
  title     = {Opioid receptors as therapeutic targets for nociceptor specific regional analgesia},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128866},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Opioids have been, since centuries, the gold standard for pain treatment and relief. They exert their effects after binding to opioid receptors (OP) that are expressed and functional in the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). As their systemic application has many side effects, including sedation and respiratory depression, a peripheral application of opioids and selective targeting of µ-OP (MOP) in nociceptive axons would be extremely beneficial. MOP presence and function has been conclusively demonstrated at nerve terminals; however it is still controversial whether functional MOPs are available on the membrane of peripheral nociceptive axons to mediate opioid-induced antinociception. While under pathologic conditions (i.e. nerve injury) exogenous as well as endogenous MOP agonists applied at the damaged nerve can elicit potent antinociception or anti-allodynia, under physiological conditions no antinociception was seen in rats. This could be caused by either a lack of functional opioid receptors in the axonal membranes or by the inability of injected opioids to cross the intact perineurial barrier and to reach nociceptors. Previous behavioral test results showed an antinociceptive effect (up to 5h) following perisciatic application of the hydrophilic DAMGO (MOP agonist) if coinjected with hypertonic saline solution (HTS; 10\% NaCl), a treatment suited to open the perineural barrier. The effect was inhibited by naloxone, a MOP antagonist, documenting its specific action via MOP. Fentanyl, a lipophilic opioid, elicited an effect, which was enhanced by HTS treatment, indicating that HTS may act not only on the barrier but also directly on axonal MOP presence and/or functionality. To provide a basis for testing this hypothesis, the present work was designed to study the axonal localization of MOP in experimental animals under different conditions using molecular and morphological methods. Initially four different commercial antibodies were tested for MOP detection. Immunoreactions with these antibodies specifically detected MOP in the hippocampus and in amygdala, while in the peripheral nervous system the reactions showed varying labeling patterns pointing towards less specificity with low signal-to-noise ratio. Double labelling with calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide expressed in sensory fibers, with the non-compacted myelin marker S100 or with the neuronal marker PGP9.5 documented significant immunoreaction signals outside sensory nerve fibers. Therefore, none of these antibodies appeared suitable. Taking advantage of a new commercial monoclonal rabbit antibody (RabMAb) and of genetically modified mice in which the fluorescent protein mcherry was inserted in the C-tail of MOP (MOP-mcherry knock-in mice), MOP fusion protein expression in rat and mouse CGRP+ sciatic nerve fibers and fiber bundles was confirmed by immunofluorescence labeling. Immunoelectron microscopic analysis indicated MOP/MOP-mcherry-localization in the cytoplasm and the membranes of unmyelinated axons organized in Remak bundles. Both antibodies detected bands of appropriate size in Western Blot in the CNS and additional larger bands in the PNS. Quantitative analyses 60 min after HTS-treatment revealed no change in MOP mRNA in the sciatic nerve and DRG as well as no change in MOP immunoreactivity in the sciatic nerve. Thus, the opioid-induced long lasting antinociception enhanced by perisciatic injection of HTS were not due to a sustained increased MOP expression or content in sensory, putative nociceptive axons. In summary, the current study succeeded to unequivocally document the presence of MOP protein in intact sensory axons of rat and mouse sciatic nerve. Thus, axonal MOPs may indeed mediate antinociceptive opioid effects observed in behavioral studies in naive animals possibly via activation of potassium or calcium channels. As HTS treatment does not lead to a sustained increase in axonal MOP protein or MOP mRNA expression, other mechanisms might enhance MOP function, including inhibition of MOP recycling or changes in functional coupling. Future studies should further explore the axonal mechanisms of antinociception by opioids and enhancing treatments.},
  subject      = {Opioide},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{KarabegneeLee2014,
  author    = {Karabeg, n{\´e}e Lee, Margherita Maria},
  title     = {Differences and Similarities in the Impact of Different Types of Stress on Hippocampal Neuroplasticity in Serotonin Transporter Deficient Mice},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-115831},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Stress has been shown to influence neuroplasticity and is suspected to increase the risk for psychiatric disorders such as major depression and anxiety disorders. Additionally, the short variant of the human serotonin transporter (5-HTT) length polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) is suggested to increase the risk for the development of such disorders. While stress as well as serotonergic signaling are not only discussed to be involved in the development of psychiatric disorders, they are also known to influence hippocampal adult neurogenesis (aN). Therefore, it has long been suspected that aN is involved in the etiology of these illnesses. The exact role of aN in this context however, still remains to be clarified. In the present doctoral thesis, I am introducing two different studies, which had been carried out to assess possible changes in neuroplasticity and behavior as a result of 5-HTT genotype by stress interactions. In both studies, animals of the 5-HTT knock-out (5-HTT-/-) mouse line were used, which have been found to exhibit increased anxiety- and depression-related behavior, an altered stress response and decreased aggressive behavior. The aim of the first study, the so-called Spatial Learning study, had been to evaluate whether mice with altered levels of brain 5-HT as a consequence of lifelong 5-HTT deficiency perform differently in two spatial memory tests, the Morris Water Maze (WM) and the Barnes Maze (BM) test prospectively differing in aversiveness. Mice of the Spatial Learning study were of male sex and six months of age, and where subjected to a total of 10 (BM) or 15 (WM) trials. My particular interest was to elucidate if there are genotype by treatment interactions regarding blood plasma corticosterone levels and, if neurobiological equivalents in the brain to the found behavioral differences exist. For this purpose I carried out a quantitative immunohistochemistry study, investigating stem cell proliferation (via the marker Ki67) and aN (via the immature neuron marker NeuroD), as well as expression of the two immediate early genes (IEGs) Arc and cFos as a markers for neuronal activity in the hippocampus. The aim of the second study, the chronic mild stress (CMS) study had been to evaluate whether the innate divergent depression-like and anxiety-like behavior of mice with altered levels of brain 5-HT as a consequence of 5-HTT-deficiency is altered any further after being subjected to a CMS paradigm. Two cohorts of one-year-old female mice had been subjected to a variety of unpredictable stressors. In order to exclude possible interfering influences of behavioral testing on corticosterone levels and the outcome of the quantitative immunohistochemistry study the first cohort had been behaviorally tested after CMS while the second one had remained behaviorally untested. The objective of my part of the study was to find out about possible genotype by treatment interactions regarding blood plasma corticosterone as well as regarding aN in the hippocampus of the mice that had been subjected to CMS. For this purpose I performed a quantitative immunohistochemistry study in order to investigate the phenomenon of adult neurogenesis (via Ki67, NeuroD and the immature neuron marker DCX). Both studies led to interesting results. In the CMS study, we could not replicate the increased innate anxiety- and depression-like behavior in 5-HTT-/- mice known from the literature. However, with regard to the also well documented reduced locomotor activity, as well as the increased body weight of 5-HTT-/- mice compared to their 5-HTT+/- and 5-HTT+/+ littermates, we could demonstrate that CMS leads to increased explorative behavior in the Open Field Test and the Light/Dark Box primarily in 5-HTT+/- und 5-HTT+/+ mice. The Spatial learning study revealed that increased stress sensitivity of 5-HTT-/- mice leads to a poorer performance in the WM test in relation to their 5-HTT+/+ and 5-HTT+/- littermates. As the performance of 5-HTT-/- mice in the less aversive BM was undistinguishable from both other genotypes, we concluded that the spatial learning ability of 5-HTT-/- mice is comparable to that of both other genotypes. As far as stress reactivity is concerned, the experience of a single trial of either the WM or the BM resulted in increased plasma corticosterone levels, irrespective of the 5-HTT genotype. After several trials 5-HTT-/- mice exhibited higher corticosterone concentrations compared with both other genotypes in both tests. Blood plasma corticosterone levels were highest in 5-HTT-/- mice tested in the WM indicating greater aversiveness of the WM and a greater stress sensitivity of 5-HTT deficient mice. In the CMS study, the corticosterone assessment of mice of cohort 1, which had undergone behavioral testing before sacrifice, resulted in significantly elevated corticosterone levels in 5-HTT-/- mice in relation to their 5-HTT+/+ controls. Contrary, corticosterone levels in mice of cohort 1, which had remained behaviorally untested, were shown to be elevated / increased after CMS experience regardless of the 5-HTT genotype. Regarding neuroplasticity, the Spatial Learning study revealed higher baseline levels of cFos- and Arc-ir cells as well as more proliferation (Ki67-ir cells) and higher numbers of neuronal progenitor cells (NeuroD-ir cells) in 5-HTT-/- compared to 5-HTT+/+ mice. Moreover, in 5-HTT-/- mice we could demonstrate that learning performance in the WM correlates with the extent of aN. The CMS study, in which aN (DCX-ir cells), has also been found to be increased in 5-HTT-/- mice compared to their 5-HTT+/+ littermates, yet only in control animals, did show hampered proliferation (Ki67-ir cells) in the hippocampus of all 5-HTT genotypes following CMS experience. Interestingly, the number of immature neurons (DCX-ir cells) was diminished exclusively in 5-HTT-/- mice in response to CMS. From the Spatial Learning study we concluded, that increased IEG expression and aN levels observed in the hippocampus of 5-HTT deficient mice can be the neurobiological correlate of emotion circuit dysfunction and heightened anxiety of these mice and that 5-HTT-/- animals per se display a "stressed" phenotype as a consequence of long-life 5-HTT deficiency. Due to the different age and sex of the mice in the two studies, they cannot be compared easily. However, although the results of the CMS study seem to contradict the results of the Spatial Learning study at the first glance, they do support the conclusion of the Spatial Learning study by demonstrating that although CMS does have an impact on 5-HTT-/- mice on the neurobiological level (e.g. manifesting in a decrease of DXC-ir cells following CMS) CMS experience cannot add onto their heightened inborn stress-level and is almost ineffective regarding further changes of the behavior of 5-HTT-deficient mice. I thus propose, that 5-HTT-/- mice as a result of lifelong altered 5-HT signaling display a stressed phenotype which resembles a state of lethargy and is paralleled by baseline heightened IEG expression and aN. It cannot be altered or increased by CMS, but it becomes most visible in stressful situations such as repeated spatial learning tests like the WM in which locomotor activity is required.},
  subject      = {Serotonin},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Ku2022,
  author    = {Ku, Hsing-Ping},
  title     = {Cadherin-13 Deficiency Impacts Murine Serotonergic Circuitries and Cognitive Functions},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-25144},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-251446},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Cadherin-13 (CDH13) is a member of the cadherin superfamily that lacks the typical transmembrane domain for classical cadherins and is instead attached to the cell membrane with a GPI-anchor. Over the years, numerous genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified CDH13 as a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder. Further evidence using cultured cells and animal models has shown that CDH13 plays important roles in cell migration, neurite outgrowth and synaptic function of the central nervous system. Research in our laboratory demonstrated that the CDH13 deficiency resulted in increased cell density of serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe (DR) in developing and mature mouse brains as well as serotonergic hyperinnervation in the developing prefrontal cortex, one of the target areas of DR serotonergic neurons. In this study, the role of CDH13 was further explored using constitutive and serotonergic system-specific CDH13-deficient mouse models. Within the adult DR structure, the increased density of DR serotonergic neurons was found to be topographically restricted to the ventral and lateral-wing, but not dorsal, clusters of DR. Furthermore, serotonergic hyperinnervation was observed in the target region of DR serotonergic projection neurons in the lateral wings. Unexpectedly, these alterations were not observed in postnatal day 14 brains of CDH13-deficient mice. Additionally, behavioral assessments revealed cognitive deficits in terms of compromised learning and memory ability as well as impulsive-like behaviors in CDH13-deficient mice, indicating that the absence of CDH13 in the serotonergic system alone was sufficient to impact cognitive functions and behavioral competency. Lastly, in order to examine the organization of serotonergic circuitries systematically and to tackle limitations of conventional immunofluorescence, a pipeline of the whole-mount immunostaining in combination with the iDISCO+ based rapid tissue clearing techniques was established. This will facilitate future research of brain neurotransmitter systems at circuitry and/or whole-brain levels and provide an excellent alternative for visualizing detailed and comprehensive information about a biological system in its original space. In summary, this study provided new evidence of CDH13's contribution to proper brain development and cognitive function in mice, thereby offering insights into further advancement of therapeutic approaches for neurodevelopmental disorders.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Kreutzfeldt2013,
  author    = {Kreutzfeldt, Simon},
  title     = {Studien zur Expression von Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts 1 (MLC1/Mlc1) in humanen und murinen Geweben},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-90355},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Das humane MLC1 (auch als KIAA0027 oder WKL1 benannt) ist ein 377 AS umfassendes Protein, welches vornehmlich in neuralen Geweben exprimiert wird. Aufgrund von Strukturanalysen und Homologievergleichen wurde eine Funktion als Ionenkanal mit acht Transmembrandom{\"a}nen postuliert. Loss-of-function-Mutationen des MLC1-Gens lassen sich mit dem Auftreten der Megalenzephale Leukenzephalopathie mit subkortikalen Zysten korrelieren. Ferner konnte anhand einer Stammbaumanalyse gezeigt werden, dass die C1121A-Mutation in einer gr{\"o}ßeren Familie mit dem Auftreten der Periodischen Katatonie nach Leonhardt (PK) kosegregierte, wobei Folgeuntersuchungen zur Assoziation von MLC1-Mutationen und dem Auftreten der PK widerspr{\"u}chliche Ergebnisse erbrachten. Zur weiteren Aufkl{\"a}rung der biologischen Funktion von MLC1 war es das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit, in zwei experimentellen Ans{\"a}tzen n{\"a}here Kenntnisse zum transkriptionellen Expressionsmuster von MLC1 in vivo zu gewinnen, und anschließend durch Herstellung eines polyklonalen Antik{\"o}rpers gegen das humane MLC1 den Grundstein f{\"u}r weitergehende Untersuchungen zur funktionellen Bedeutung von MLC1 zu legen. Mittels In Situ-Hybridisierung humaner und muriner Gewebeschnitte aus Hippocampus und Cerebellum konnte gezeigt werden, dass die MLC1/Mlc1-Transkription in diesen Geweben vornehmlich in den Bergmann-Gliazellen der Purkinjezellschicht des Cerebellums sowie - in schw{\"a}cherem Umfang - in verstreut liegenden und in der subgranul{\"a}ren Zone des Gyrus dentatus geh{\"a}uften Astrozyten des murinen Hippocampus nachweisbar war. Im zweiten Schritt der Analyse wurden humane post-mortem cDNA-Proben aus verschiedenen Gehirnregionen und zus{\"a}tzlich einigen nicht-neuralen Geweben von zwei Menschen gewonnen, mittels quantitativer Real-time-PCR die Genexpression von MLC1 bestimmt und mithilfe des Expressionsniveaus von ausgew{\"a}hlten Housekeeping-Genen (GAPDH, L13a, β-Aktin, ARP und Cyclophilin) normalisiert. Es zeigte sich, dass in allen getesteten Hirnregionen eine deutliche MLC1-Expression festzustellen war, deren Maxima im Cerebellum und Frontalhirn und deren Minima im Putamen bzw. im nicht-neuralen Plexus chorioideus lagen. Zudem konnte eine nicht-neurale Expression auf sehr geringem Niveau f{\"u}r Lunge und Milz nachgewiesen werden. Zur Gewinnung eines polyklonalen Antik{\"o}rpers gegen humanes MLC1 wurden mittels computergest{\"u}tzter Verfahren ein 117 AS langes Vakzinierungsprotein entworfen, welches immunogene Abschnitte des N-Terminus (61 AS) und C-Terminus (54 AS) enthielt. Die kodierende Sequenz wurde unter Verwendung des Impact-CN®-Expressionssystems in einen pTYB-Vektor kloniert, in ER2566-Zellen exprimiert, das Protein affinit{\"a}tschromatographisch {\"u}ber Chitin-S{\"a}ulen isoliert und aufgereinigt und mittels Bradford-Assay und SDS-Gelelektrophorese nachgewiesen. Leider konnte trotz vielf{\"a}ltiger Variation der Versuchsparameter kein eindeutiger Nachweis einer ausreichenden Expression des MLC1-Proteins in den ER2566-Zellen erbracht werden, die f{\"u}r die anschließende Vakzinierung von Kaninchen zur Gewinnung des polyklonalen Antiserums erforderlich gewesen w{\"a}re. Die Gr{\"u}nde hierf{\"u}r sind unklar, denkbar sind beispielsweise eine suboptimale Codon-Frequenz, eine schlechte Proteinl{\"o}slichkeit, intrazellul{\"a}re mRNA-Degradation, proteolytische Abbauvorg{\"a}nge oder eine Hemmung der Proteinbiosynthese durch die biologische Funktion des Proteins. Zusammenfassend konnten die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit erzielten Ergebnisse einen Beitrag zur Erweiterung des Wissens zur MLC1-Expression leisten. Dabei entsprachen die Befunde zur humanen MLC1-Expression weitgehend den diesbez{\"u}glichen Beobachtungen zur regionalen und zellul{\"a}ren Expressionsst{\"a}rkenverteilung aus dem Mausmodell, welche eine funktionelle Bedeutung von MLC1 im Rahmen von neuralen Schrankenstrukturen nahelegten (vgl. Schmitt et al. 2003). Mittels der zwischenzeitlich von anderen Arbeitsgruppen ({\"u}ber andere experimentelle Verfahren) erzeugten Antik{\"o}rper gegen MLC1 konnte gezeigt werden, dass funktionelles MLC1 vermutlich als zellmembranst{\"a}ndiges Dimer vorliegt und seine biologische Funktion u.a. durch Interaktion mit dem DGC (=Dystrophin-assoziierten Glykoprotein-Komplex) in den Caveolae aus{\"u}bt. Es bleibt eine Aufgabe f{\"u}r die Zukunft, die genauen molekularen Mechanismen dieser Prozesse und ihre m{\"o}gliche therapeutische Beeinflussbarkeit zur Behandlung der MLC zu erforschen. Auch die Frage der potenziellen extraneuralen MLC1-Expression, f{\"u}r die in dieser Arbeit Hinweise gefunden wurden, mag ein interessanter Ansatzpunkt f{\"u}r zuk{\"u}nftige Forschungsarbeiten sein.},
  subject      = {MLC1},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Weber2022,
  author    = {Weber, Tanja},
  title     = {Untersuchung des Einflusses verschiedener Lebenserfahrungen und unterschiedlicher Serotoninhom{\"o}ostase auf die Neuromorphologie von Pyramidenzellen der CA3-Region des Hippocampus in M{\"a}usen},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-28354},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-283542},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Chronischer Stress hat negative Folgen, die sich im Verhalten und auf neuronaler Ebene {\"a}ußern k{\"o}nnen. Als besonders stressempfindlich gelten die Neurone der dritten Region des hippocampalen Ammonshorns CA3. Sie reagieren auch im bereits ausgereiften Zustand noch sehr sensibel auf {\"a}ußere Einfl{\"u}sse, was als neuronale Plastizit{\"a}t bezeichnet wird. Sie erfahren unter anderem durch Stress und Serotonin morphologische und funktionelle Ver{\"a}nderungen. Serotonin-Transporter wahren das Serotonin-Gleichgewicht, indem sie dessen Wirkung schließlich durch Wiederaufnahme in die Zellen beenden. Polymorphismen, also verschiedene Gen-Varianten, bedingen Unterschiede in der Zahl der verf{\"u}gbaren Transporter. Dieses Wechselspiel zwischen Gen-Varianten des Serotonin-Transporters und Stress wurde an Serotonin-Transporter-Knockout-M{\"a}usen untersucht. Einige M{\"a}use erfuhren bereits fr{\"u}h im Leben Stress, der entweder anhielt oder im sp{\"a}teren Leben positiven Erfahrungen wich; weitere M{\"a}use hingegen machten in fr{\"u}hen Lebensabschnitten positive Erfahrungen, die sich sp{\"a}ter entweder fortsetzten oder durch Stresserfahrungen ersetzt wurden. Nach Durchf{\"u}hrung von Verhaltenstests wurde zudem in deren Golgi-impr{\"a}gnierten Gehirnen die Morphologie der Apikaldendriten von CA3-Kurzschaft-Pyramidenzellen lichtmikroskopisch untersucht und in 3D-Computermodellen abgebildet. Aufgrund regionaler Eigenheiten innerhalb von CA3 wurden diese Neurone verschiedenen Subpopulationen zugeordnet. Tats{\"a}chlich konnten mithilfe der Kombination aus vier verschiedenen Lebensgeschichten und drei unterschiedlichen Serotonin-Transporter-Genotypen Unterschiede in der Morphologie der CA3-Pyramidenzellen zwischen den einzelnen Gruppen festgestellt werden. Ohne Stresserleben zeigten sich die Neurone meist signifikant verzweigter; nach Stresserleben zeigten sich, zumindest in einer bestimmten Subpopulation, signifikante Verminderungen der Spines. M{\"a}use mit zwei oder einem wildtypischen Serotonin-Transporter-Allel und ausschließlich sp{\"a}ten aversiven Erfahrungen hatten signifikant l{\"a}ngere Apikaldendriten als die Referenz mit zwei wildtypischen Allelen und ohne Stresserfahrung; homozygot Serotonin-Transporter-defiziente M{\"a}use der gleichen Lebensgeschichte hatten zur Referenz signifikant verk{\"u}rzte Apikaldendriten. Diese Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass Stress in Verbindung mit genetisch bedingt geringen Mengen des Serotonin-Transporters durchaus eine erh{\"o}hte Vulnerabilit{\"a}t f{\"u}r psychische Erkrankungen bedingen k{\"o}nnte, aber dass ausschließlich sp{\"a}te Stresserfahrungen bei h{\"o}heren Mengen des Serotonin-Transporters auch protektiv wirken k{\"o}nnten.},
  subject      = {Ammonshorn},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Mueller2023,
  author    = {M{\"u}ller, Erich-Engelbert},
  title     = {Der Einfluss des Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) auf die mikroskopische Anatomie des Sehnervs und der Retina im Mausmodell},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-33010},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-330108},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Der Einfluss des Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) auf die mikroskopische Anatomie des Sehnervs und der Retina wurde im Mausmodell untersucht. Unter Verwendung von Immunhistochemie, konfokaler Lasermikroskopie und Elektronenmikroskopie wurde untersucht, inwieweit eine CNTF-Defizienz zu degenerativen Ver{\"a}nderungen in Sehnerv und Retina von insbesondere adulten M{\"a}usen f{\"u}hrt. Hinsichtlich der verschiedenen untersuchten Parameter, einschließlich der Myelinisierung des Sehnervs und der retinalen Schichtung, konnten keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen CNTF-defizienten und Wild-Typ-M{\"a}usen festgestellt werden.},
  subject      = {Sehnerv},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Andreska2021,
  author    = {Andreska, Thomas},
  title     = {Effects of dopamine on BDNF / TrkB mediated signaling and plasticity on cortico-striatal synapses},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-17431},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-174317},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Progressive loss of voluntary movement control is the central symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Even today, we are not yet able to cure PD. This is mainly due to a lack of understanding the mechanisms of movement control, network activity and plasticity in motor circuits, in particular between the cerebral cortex and the striatum. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as one of the most important factors for the development and survival of neurons, as well as for synaptic plasticity. It is thus an important target for the development of new therapeutic strategies against neurodegenerative diseases. Together with its receptor, the Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), it is critically involved in development and function of the striatum. Nevertheless, little is known about the localization of BDNF within presynaptic terminals in the striatum, as well as the types of neurons that produce BDNF in the cerebral cortex. Furthermore, the influence of midbrain derived dopamine on the control of BDNF / TrkB interaction in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) remains elusive so far. Dopamine, however, appears to play an important role, as its absence leads to drastic changes in striatal synaptic plasticity. This suggests that dopamine could regulate synaptic activity in the striatum via modulation of BDNF / TrkB function. To answer these questions, we have developed a sensitive and reliable protocol for the immunohistochemical detection of endogenous BDNF. We find that the majority of striatal BDNF is provided by glutamatergic, cortex derived afferents and not dopaminergic inputs from the midbrain. In fact, we found BDNF in cell bodies of neurons in layers II-III and V of the primary and secondary motor cortex as well as layer V of the somatosensory cortex. These are the brain areas that send dense projections to the dorsolateral striatum for control of voluntary movement. Furthermore, we could show that these projection neurons significantly downregulate the expression of BDNF during the juvenile development of mice between 3 and 12 weeks. In parallel, we found a modulatory effect of dopamine on the translocation of TrkB to the cell surface in postsynaptic striatal Medium Spiny Neurons (MSNs). In MSNs of the direct pathway (dMSNs), which express dopamine receptor 1 (DRD1), we observed the formation of TrkB aggregates in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of PD. This suggests that DRD1 activity controls TrkB surface expression in these neurons. In contrast, we found that DRD2 activation has opposite effects in MSNs of the indirect pathway (iMSNs). Activation of DRD2 promotes a rapid decrease in TrkB surface expression which was reversible and depended on cAMP. In parallel, stimulation of DRD2 led to induction of phospho-TrkB (pTrkB). This effect was significantly slower than the effect on TrkB surface expression and indicates that TrkB is transactivated by DRD2. Together, our data provide evidence that dopamine triggers dual modes of plasticity on striatal MSNs by acting on TrkB surface expression in DRD1 and DRD2 expressing MSNs. This surface expression of the receptor is crucial for the binding of BDNF, which is released from corticostriatal afferents. This leads to the induction of TrkB-mediated downstream signal transduction cascades and long-term potentiation (LTP). Therefore, the dopamine-mediated translocation of TrkB could be a mediator that modulates the balance between dopaminergic and glutamatergic signaling to allow synaptic plasticity in a spatiotemporal manner. This information and the fact that TrkB is segregated to persistent aggregates in PD could help to improve our understanding of voluntary movement control and to develop new therapeutic strategies beyond those focusing on dopaminergic supply.},
  subject      = {Brain-derived neurotrophic factor},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Kuzkina2020,
  author    = {Kuzkina, Anastasia},
  title     = {Dermal α-synuclein oligomers and aggregates in Parkinson's disease},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-20436},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204369},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites are neuropathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). These depositions in the brain mostly consist of aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) phosphorylated at Ser129. A number of studies reported detection of phosphorylated α-syn (p-α-syn) in the dermal nerve fibers in Parkinson's disease. The objective of this study was to investigate whether pathological α-syn accumulations detected in the skin represent aggregated protein. A number of methods aimed at detecting α-syn oligomers and aggregates were first tested and optimized on the brain samples in PD and normal control. These methods included proximity ligation assay (PLA), PET-blot, immunohistochemical (IHC) stains with α-syn aggregate (5G4) or oligomer specific (ASyO5) antibodies and a stain against native α-syn (syn211) after proteinase K (PK) digestion. Subsequently, the most specific methods (stains with 5G4, ASyO5 and syn211 after PK digestion) were studied in two separate patient and control cohorts. Anti-p-α-syn stain was performed in parallel. Single sections from at least 2 biopsy sites from 44 patients and 22 controls (cohort 1) as well as serial sections of 4 biopsy sites from 27 patients and 5 controls (cohort 2) were systematically studied for presence of aggregated and oligomeric α-syn. In total, 5G4 positive deposits were found in 24\% (cohort 1) and 37\% (cohort 2), ASyO5 positive lesions in 17,7\% (cohort 1) and 33\% (cohort 2), syn211 positive lesions after PK digestion in 38,7\% (cohort 1) and 48\% (cohort 2) of cases. There was a major overlap among positivity for a particular staining on the patient level and in most cases, the same nerve fiber was found to be positive for all 4 markers in neighboring sections. Among the skin biopsies which contained p-α-syn accumulation, 59\% were also PK resistant, 41\% were 5G4 positive and 45\% were ASyO5 positive. The samples belonging to normal controls did not show any positive signal in either of the newly established stainings or in the anti-p-α-syn staining. Using 3 distinct IHC methods, α-syn oligomers and aggregates were detectable in the majority of p-α-syn positive skin biopsies. This finding supports the hypothesis that α-syn aggregation occurs in the peripheral (i.e. dermal) nerves and can be specifically detected using skin biopsy.},
  subject      = {Parkinson-Krankheit},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Lichter2023,
  author    = {Lichter, Katharina},
  title     = {Die Ultrastruktur von Aktiven Zonen in hippocampalen Moosfaserboutons},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-30312},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303126},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {In nervous systems, synapses precisely orchestrate information transfer and memory formation. Active zones (AZ) are specialized subcellular compartments at the presynaptic mesoscale which process synaptic transmission on an ultrastructural level. The AZ cytomatrix including the essential scaffold protein Rab3 interacting molecule (RIM) enables exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. A deficiency of the locally most abundant protein isoform RIM1α diminishes long-term potentiation in a complex central mammalian synapse - the connection of hippocampal mossy fiber boutons (MFB) to cornu ammonis (CA)3 pyramidal neurons. Behaviourally, these mice present with learning impairment. The present MD thesis addresses the so far unknown three-dimensional (3D) AZ ultrastructure of MFBs in acute hippocampal slices of wild-type and RIM1α-/- mice. In a first set of experiments, a standardized protocol for near-to-native synaptic tissue preparation at MFBs using high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution and 3D modelling using electron tomography was developed and established. Based on the excellent preservation of synaptic tissue using this protocol, the AZ ultrastructure in both genotypes was quantified in detail up to an individual docked synaptic vesicle using custom-written programming scripts. The experiments demonstrate that deficiency of RIM1α leads to multidimensional alter-ation of AZ 3D ultrastructure and synaptic vesicle pools in MFBs. (Tightly) docked synaptic vesicles - ultrastructural correlates of the readily releasable pool - are reduced, decentralized, and structurally modified, whereas the more distant vesicle pool clusters more densely above larger and more heterogenous AZ surfaces with higher synaptic clefts. The present thesis contributes to a more comprehensive understanding regarding the role of RIM1α for (tight) vesicle docking and organization at MFBs. Furthermore, the precise 3D ultrastructural analysis of MFB AZs in this thesis provides the necessary mor-phological basis for further studies to correlate synaptic ultrastructure with presynaptic plasticity and memory dysfunction in RIM1α-/- mice using advanced electrophysiological and behavioral techniques.},
  subject      = {Hippocampus},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Hamann2023,
  author    = {Hamann, Catharina Sophia},
  title     = {Fear and anxiety disorders - interaction of AVP and OXT brain systems with the serotonergic system},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-30333},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-303338},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Anxiety disorders pose a great burden onto society and economy and can have devastating consequences for affected individuals. Treatment options are still limited to psychopharmacotherapy originally developed for the treatment of depression and behavioral therapy. A combination of genetic traits together with aversive events is most likely the cause of these diseases. Gene x environment studies are trying to find a link between genetic traits and specific negative circumstances. In a first study, we focused on social anxiety disorder (SAD), which is the second most-common anxiety disorder after specific phobias. We used a social fear conditioning (SFC) paradigm, which is able to mimic the disease in a mouse model. We wanted to investigate protein levels, as well as mRNA expression of immediate early genes (IEGs), to determine brain areas affected by the paradigm. We also included genes of the vasopressin (AVP)-, oxytocin (OXT)-, neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, and the serotonin system, to investigate the effects of SFC on neurotransmitter gene expression levels in brain regions related to social as well as fear-related behavior. AVP and OXT regulate a lot of different social and anxiety-related behaviors, both positive and negative. Finding a link between different neurotransmitter systems in the development of anxiety disorders could help to identify potential targets for new treatment approaches, which are desperately needed, because the rate of patients not responding to available treatment is very high. We were able to show altered gene expression of the IEGs cFos and Fosl2, as well as a change in number and density of cFOS-positive cells in the dorsal hippocampus, indicating an influence of SFC on neuronal activity. Our results reveal a possible involvement of anterior dentate gyrus (DG), as well as cornu ammonis area 1 (CA1) and CA3 in the dorsal hippocampus during the expression of social fear. Contrary to our hypothesis, we were not able to see changes in neuronal activity through expression changes of IEGs in the amygdala. Significant higher IEG immunoreactivity and gene expression in the dorsal hippocampus of animals without fear conditioning (SFC-), compared to animals with fear conditioning (SFC+), indicate an involvement of different hippocampal regions in two possible scenarios. Either as elevated gene expression in SFC- animals compared to SFC+ animals or as reduction in SFC+ animals compared to SFC- animals. However, this question cannot be answered without an additional control of basal IEG-activity without social interaction. The NPY system in general and the neuropeptide y receptor type 2 in particular seem to be involved in regulating the response to social fear, mostly through the septum region. In addition to that, a possible role for the induction of social fear response could be identified in the serotonergic system and especially the serotonin receptor 2a of the PVN. In a second study we focused on changes in the serotonergic system. A polymorphism in the human serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is associated with higher risks for the development of anxiety disorders. This makes the 5-HTT a widely used target to study possible causes and the development of anxiety disorders. In mice, a genetically induced knockout of the 5-Htt gene is associated with increased anxiety-like behavior. High amounts of stress during pregnancy, also known as prenatal stress, significantly increase the risk to develop psychiatric disorders for the unborn child. We utilized a prenatal stress paradigm in mice heterozygous for the 5-Htt gene. Some of the animals which had been subjected to prenatal stress showed noticeably "unsocial" interaction behavior towards conspecifics. Again, we were searching for links between the serotonergic system and AVP- and OXT systems. Through quantitative gene expression analysis, we were able to show that both AVP and OXT neuromodulator systems are affected through prenatal stress in female mice, but not in male mice. The 5-Htt genotype seems to be only slightly influential to AVP, OXT or any other neurotransmitter system investigated. Gene expression of AVP and OXT brain systems is highly influenced through the estrous cycle stages of female mice. Additionally, we analyzed the AVP and OXT neuropeptide levels of mice with different 5-Htt genotypes and in both sexes, in order to see whether the production of AVP and OXT is influenced by 5-Htt genotype. On neuropeptide level, we were able to identify a sex difference for vasopressin-immunoreactive (ir) cells in the PVN, with male mice harboring significantly more positive cells than female mice.},
  subject      = {Serotonin},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Roesler2020,
  author    = {R{\"o}sler, Lara},
  title     = {Behavioral and Neural Mechanisms of Social Attention},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-21609},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-216092},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Humans in our environment are of special importance to us. Even if our minds are fixated on tasks unrelated to their presence, our attention will likely be drawn towards other people's appearances and their actions. While we might remain unaware of this attentional bias at times, various studies have demonstrated the preferred visual scanning of other humans by recording eye movements in laboratory settings. The present thesis aims to investigate the circumstances under and the mechanisms by which this so-called social attention operates. The first study demonstrates that social features in complex naturalistic scenes are prioritized in an automatic fashion. After 200 milliseconds of stimulus presentation, which is too brief for top-down processing to intervene, participants targeted image areas depicting humans significantly more often than would be expected from a chance distribution of saccades. Additionally, saccades towards these areas occurred earlier in time than saccades towards non-social image regions. In the second study, we show that human features receive most fixations even when bottom-up information is restricted; that is, even when only the fixated region was visible and the remaining parts of the image masked, participants still fixated on social image regions longer than on regions without social cues. The third study compares the influence of real and artificial faces on gaze patterns during the observation of dynamic naturalistic videos. Here we find that artificial faces, belonging to humanlike statues or machines, significantly predicted gaze allocation but to a lesser extent than real faces. In the fourth study, we employed functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural correlates of reflexive social attention. Analyses of the evoked blood-oxygenation level dependent responses pointed to an involvement of striate and extrastriate visual cortices in the encoding of social feature space. Collectively, these studies help to elucidate under which circumstances social features are prioritized in a laboratory setting and how this prioritization might be achieved on a neuronal level. The final experimental chapter addresses the question whether these laboratory findings can be generalized to the real world. In this study, participants were introduced to a waiting room scenario in which they interacted with a confederate. Eye movement analyses revealed that gaze behavior heavily depended on the social context and were influenced by whether an interaction is currently desired. We further did not find any evidence for altered gaze behavior in socially anxious participants. Alleged gaze avoidance or hypervigilance in social anxiety might thus represent a laboratory phenomenon that occurs only under very specific real-life conditions. Altogether the experiments described in the present thesis thus refine our understanding of social attention and simultaneously challenge the inferences we can draw from laboratory research.},
  subject      = {Aufmerksamkeit},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Auth2021,
  author    = {Auth, Charlotte Sophie},
  title     = {Die Auswirkungen von Tph2-Defizienz und negativen fr{\"u}hen Umwelterfahrungen auf Angstverhalten in weiblichen M{\"a}usen},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-23948},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239488},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Angsterkrankungen geh{\"o}ren zu den am weitesten verbreiteten psychischen Erkrankungen und stellen eine betr{\"a}chtliche soziale und wirtschaftliche Herausforderung f{\"u}r unsere Gesellschaft dar. Aversive fr{\"u}he Erfahrungen sind ein bekannter Risikofaktor f{\"u}r die Entwicklung verschiedener psychischer Erkrankungen, insbesondere Angstst{\"o}rungen. W{\"a}hrend der fr{\"u}hen Entwicklung findet die Programmierung der Hypothalamus-Hypophysen-Nebennierenrinden- (HHN)-Achse, die die Aussch{\"u}ttung des Stresshormons Cortisol in Menschen bzw. Corticosteron in M{\"a}usen steuert, statt. Wenn Individuen in dieser kritischen Phase Stress ausgesetzt sind, wird die regelrechte Ausbildung der HHN-Achse gest{\"o}rt, was zu dysregulierten Verhaltensantworten auf Stressreize im sp{\"a}teren Leben f{\"u}hren kann. Das Serotonin (5-HT)-System als eines der ausgedehntesten Neurotransmittersysteme ist an der Vermittlung der Effekte von fr{\"u}her Stressexposition auf angst{\"a}hnliche Verhaltensweisen beteiligt. Das Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die Interaktion zwischen genetischer Pr{\"a}disposition und negativen Einfl{\"u}ssen in fr{\"u}hen Entwicklungsstadien auf die Ausbildung von Angstverhalten im Erwachsenenalter n{\"a}her zu beleuchten. In dieser Studie wurden Tryptophanhydroxylase 2 (Tph2)-defiziente weibliche M{\"a}use als Modell f{\"u}r ein lebenslanges konstitutives 5-HT Synthesedefizit im zentralen Nervensystem verwendet. Nachkommen dieser Mauslinie wurden im fr{\"u}hen Lebensalter Maternaler Separation (MS), d.h. einem m{\"u}tterlichen Trennungsparadigma, unterzogen und im Erwachsenenalter im „Open field" (OF) oder in der „Dark-light box" (DLB) getestet. Im Anschluss an die Verhaltensexperimente wurde die neuronale Aktivierung immunhistochemisch durch Darstellung des fr{\"u}hzeitig auftretenden Genprodukts c-Fos bestimmt. In der DLB zeigten homozygot Tph2-defiziente M{\"a}use eine verringerte motorische Aktivit{\"a}t im hellen Kompartiment, und dieser Effekt konnte durch MS normalisiert werden. Zus{\"a}tzlich verst{\"a}rkte MS bei diesem Genotyp das Auftreten von fluchtartigen Spr{\"u}ngen. Im OF hat MS fluchtartige Verhaltensweisen in homo- und heterozygoten Tph2-defizienten M{\"a}usen bef{\"o}rdert. Beide Verhaltenstests f{\"u}hrten zu spezifischen neuronalen Aktivierungsmustern, die mithilfe von c-Fos- Immunhistochemie ausgewertet wurden. Die Durchf{\"u}hrung des DLB-Tests f{\"u}hrte in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit vom Vorhandensein von Tph2 zur Aktivierung des paraventrikul{\"a}ren Kerns des Hypothalamus (PVN) und der basolateralen Amygdala (BL), wohingegen die Exposition gegen{\"u}ber dem OF-Test zu einer Aktivierung der lateralen Amygdala (La) in Tieren, die einem m{\"u}tterlichen Trennungsparadigma unterzogen wurden, sowie einer Aktivierung des ventrolateralen (VLPAG) und dorsolateralen (DLPAG) periaqu{\"a}duktalen H{\"o}hlengraus in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von Tph2 und MS f{\"u}hrte. Zusammenfassend weisen die Ergebnisse dieser Studie darauf hin, dass MS aktive Verhaltensantworten auf aversive Reize in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit vom Vorhandensein von 5-HT im Gehirn f{\"o}rdert. Diese Effekte k{\"o}nnten durch die spezifische Aktivierung von mit Angstverhalten in Zusammenhang stehenden Gehirnregionen w{\"a}hrend der Verhaltensexperimente vermittelt werden.},
  subject      = {Angst},
  language  = {de}
}