%0 Student Work %T Mouse Model for Sex Difference in Autism %A DeCampo, Nicole Christine %D 2008-04-22 %8 2020-01-15 %I Worcester Polytechnic Institute %R https://digital.wpi.edu/show/p5547t033 %X Sex differences in the brain may influence the incidence rates of autism. Using two different strains of mice, one social (Black 6) and one asocial (BTBR), it is possible to compare the expression of different genes in certain areas of the brain suspected to be effected by autism. Using real-time PCR the target gene Neuroligin 3 (Nlgn3) showed a statistical difference in expression between the two strains. In addition, we are generating a mouse model which has four genotypes (Male (XY-SRY), Male (XX-SRY), Female (XX), Female (XY-)). Using this model, a sexually dimorphic phenotype can be analyzed between different hormonal conditions (testosterone versus estrogens) and between different sex chromosomal complements (XX versus XY). %9 Major Qualifying Project %~ Digital WPI %W WPI