Maxwell Kenny
Pronouns: He/Him
Research Mentor(s): Kevin Jones
Research Mentor School/College/Department: University of Michigan / Medicine
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 4 (1:40pm – 2:30pm)
Authors: Maxwell Kenny, Omolara Adeyemi, Kevin Jones
Abstract
For over half a century, ketamine has been used as an effective anesthetic. However, in the last twenty years, we’ve seen a rise in the use of Ketamine to treat drug-resistant forms of depression and other mental conditions such as PTSD and Schizophrenia. From a neurological perspective, we have very little knowledge as to not only what causes these mental disorders but also specifically what causes Ketamine to be so effective at diminishing their effects. Prolonged exposure to ketamine disrupts behavioral responses to startle stimuli. Our lab developed a zebrafish model to study prolonged exposure to ketamine. We discovered that chronic ketamine exposure dramatically alters behavioral responses to acoustic startle in zebrafish. The project’s overall goal is to understand how ketamine changes brain function at the cell and network levels. We use whole-brain calcium imaging and two-photon microscopy to investigate changes in the zebrafish brain that occur after repeated exposure to ketamine. The goal of this project is to design and build an apparatus that will allow us to deliver acoustic stimuli to ketamine-treated zebrafish during whole-brain calcium imaging. This will allow us to identify circuits in the startle response of zebrafish brains that become altered by ketamine exposure. To do this, I developed a machine that operates on an Arduino microcontroller. It incorporates a 3D printed holder that I designed that fits underneath the imaging tray with a cartridge system that allows for interchangeability of stimuli devices (i.e. Piezzo buzzer, LED, or Dayton Audio Tactile Device). The Arduino Mega is the brains of the machine, working in tandem with the software provided by ScanImage to start producing stimuli precisely when data acquisition starts. Ongoing studies in the Jones lab will continue this research further elucidate how environmental risk factors influence early brain development.
