Zebra Fish as a Model to Identify Genetic and Neuronal Mechanisms Through Which NF1 Regulates Sleep
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by mutation of the neurofibromin 1 (nf1) gene. This disorder is characterized by pigmented skin patches, specific types of tumors, and behavioral deficits that include disrupted sleep. Individuals with NF1 often report deficits in initiating and maintaining sleep at night, reduced sleep duration at night, and drowsiness during the day. Human and rodent studies suggest that disrupted sleep is likely to be a primary effect of loss of nf1, but the mechanisms that underlie this disrupted sleep are unknown. Larval zebrafish were recently established as a useful vertebrate model for studying mechanisms that regulate sleep, and in preliminary studies we found that nf1 mutant zebrafish show sleep deficits similar to those observed in humans with NF1. This project will use larval zebrafish as a model system to identify genetic and neuronal mechanisms through which loss nf1 function affects sleep.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1204998
Entities
People
- David Prober
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology