The Effects Of Nicotine On Uncoordinated Movement In C. Elegans: A New Study Proposal

Abstract

Huntington’s disease is a hereditary, degenerative disease that affects the nerve cells of the brain. Although everyone has the Huntingtin gene, some individuals inherit a specific mutant gene which presents a repeating “CAG” sequence that generates unusual repeating intertwined folds in the protein called Huntingtin protein. The presence of the protein in the brain creates a clumping in the cells of the basal ganglia. Excess Huntingtin protein modifications build up in the brain, leading to damage in the nerve cells, commonly resulting in neurodegeneration affecting the motor and mental functions. Since the discovery of the Huntington gene, different vectors of intervention have been investigated; however, Huntington’s disease remains an incurable, fatal, and life altering disorder devastating the lives of both the afflicted and, vicariously, their families. However, recent research on the therapeutic qualities of some plant species have shown positive improvements in reducing the decline from the effects of neurodegenerative disease. Furthermore, data has shown that investigation into herbal treatments potentially offers a more natural and holistic form of treatment, often with less adverse, unwanted side effects than those associated with synthetic medications. Therefore, drawing upon prior research, experiments and techniques we employed in our study of Huntington’s disease, we propose a study to investigate the unwanted and involuntary movement (known as chorea) associated with this disease by using the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans (c. elegans). To investigate this area of inquiry, our study would focus on exposing healthy c. elegans, c. elegans with the mutant Huntingtin protein, and c. elegans which lack acetylcholine by measuring movement in c. elegans to see how exposure to nicotine improves the unc mutant acetylcholine pathways.

Details

Session 1

9:30am – 11:00am

Grand Salon