Research Rookies Student Profiles
Name: Sarah Stuebing
Cohort: Continuing Research Rookie
Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: DeKalb, Illinois
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Douglas Wallace
Project Title: The Effects of Gat1-Saporin on Spatial Orientation
Overview: Spatial orientation is common in Alzheimer’s disease. This disorientation stems from the disability of the brain to use spatial cues to navigate throughout an environment. The septohippocampal system, which contains the medial septum that projects to the hippocampus, is currently being studied in Alzheimer’s research, because it is known to affect spatial orientation. This system contains two excitatory inputs, known as cholinergic and GABAergic input. Within the brain, the GABAergic input is usually inhibitory, but in the septohippocampal system, it actually works as a second excitatory portion. Mainly the cholinergic system has been studied, but the pharmaceutical therapies developed from the cholinergice system have not been very successful, which is why the affects of the GABAergic system are being studied now. So far, lesions to the septohippocampal GABAergic system have hindered the ability of rats to orient themselves in certain conditions. Studying the septohippocampal GABAergic system will further the understanding of its role in the degeneration of spatial orientation capabilities as is often seen in dementia such as Alzheimer’s.
Sarah on what being a Research Rookie means: “Being a Research Rookie means having the opportunity to diversify my education and gain valuable experience. Because of Research Rookies, I have had more opportunitites to enojy the field I am interested in and add to my aducation.”