Neuroscience Research Center Seminar

Visual Processing in the Retina in Fragile X syndrome

Presenter:
Anna Vlasits, PhD
University of Illinois

In the retina, the timing and strength of inhibition and excitation tune visual responses of retinal neurons. This shapes what visual information is sent to the brain. In neurodevelopmental disorders such as Fragile X syndrome, excitation-inhibition balance is dysregulated throughout the brain. This excitation-inhibition imbalance is thought to play a causal role in Fragile X syndrome. However, how FXS affects retinal function is not well understood. Dr. Vlasits will discuss their findings about how shifts in excitation-inhibition balance affect retinal neuron function and how Fragile X syndrome affects visual behavior.