Arthur (Mengzhen) Zhang

Thesis title: Predictive coding impairment in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder

Precision Medicine

Year of study: 1

  • Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences
  • Deanery of Molecular, Genetic & Population Health Sciences

Contact details

PhD supervisors:

Address

Street

Hugh Robson Building
George Square

City
Edinburgh
Post code
EH8 9XD

Biography

Qualifications

MSc by Research in Integrative Neuroscience

University of Edinburgh

Undergraduate teaching

Cognitive Science Demonstrator

Current research interests

Predictive coding in visual system

Project activity

Exisiting theoretical framework and psychophysical studies have led to the hypothesis that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) phenotypes may be manifestations of underlying impairment in predictive abilities, which is in turn caused by cortical sensory dysfunction. This project aims to test this hypothesis by first conducting in vivo recordings in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and primary visual cortex (V1) in WT mice during a visuomotor behaviour task. We will then identify cortical and behavioural dysfuntion using SYNGAP haploinsufficiency (SY N GAP 1+/− ) mouse models. Further, we will dissect the strength and structure of ACC-V1 interactions by building a recurrent computational model, and follow their changes across learning. Finally, pharmacological treatments will be applied to SY N GAP 1+/− mouse models to rescue such dysfunction.

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