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The role of oxygen in wiring the brain

Memphis, Tennessee, March 16, 2020

Researcher sits at computer and looks at data.

David Solecki, PhD, of Developmental Neurobiology at St. Jude, is investigating how environmental factors like oxygen affect neurons in the brain.

Environmental factors like oxygen affect neurons in the brain. Scientists at St. Jude are studying the role oxygen plays in the maturation and migration of neurons. They have identified a new mechanism that helps control these processes.

Rising oxygen levels in the developing cerebellum dial down a biological mechanism called the Hif1α pathway. At low oxygen levels, this pathway inhibits neurons from maturing and migrating. But turning it down even more kick starts their development.

The Hif1α pathway inhibits critical differentiation and polarization processes. Neurons use these processes to migrate to the positions they occupy in mature neuronal circuits.  

The findings are relevant for premature babies that have hypoxic insults, temporary or chronic lack of oxygen in the brain. Such defects could lead to enhanced Hif1α pathway activation.

This study shows such activation blocks neurons’ ability to differentiate and polarize properly. This can cause neurons to fail to migrate and thus be wired incorrectly in developing circuits.

“This finding of the link between oxygen levels and maturation is an important conceptual shift in the field,” said senior author David Solecki, PhD, of Developmental Neurobiology. “It also provides a foundation for better understanding hypoxia and the effect of reduced oxygen to the brain in infants.”

Neuron published a report on this work.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch.

 
 
 
 
 
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